It was a fairly typical late spring day, being sunny, cool, with a slight breeze, but otherwise refreshing and rejuvenating. The weatherman had predicted the usual scattered showers throughout the day, but so far there were only a few fluffy clouds as far as John could see. "Perfect," he thought. "This is exactly what I need."
It had been a bitch of a week. Between his boss getting in his face all week about trivial crap and his wife, Joanne, climbing all over his back, screeching like a banshee, John desperately needed to clear his head and get away for a while. For the past five years his marriage had been disintegrating and John knew it was over. They had little respect and no love between them anymore. His children, as usual, regarded him with little respect, following the lead of their mother, preferring to believe the lies she fed them rather than seeking the truth behind their parents' marriage. So, following the lead of their mother, they too treated John without affection or respect. In the end, he gave up trying. The kids were nearly grown, his son having just graduated from high school, and his daughter a year behind. So, with nothing and no one at home needing or requiring anything from him, John decided to take his H-D Road King out for a long ride. Spending a day on his motorcycle always rejuvenated him both physically and mentally. He quickly put on his riding gear, leather chaps and jacket, riding boots, gloves, glasses, and hat. Minnesota law does not require the mandatory wearing of helmets, and today John preferred to feel the full effect of the wind against his face. From the first roar when he fired up his bike, John felt somehow the day was going to be a good one.
With no particular itinerary or destination in mind, John took the roads that would take him east into the countryside. For an hour or so, John just rode, not thinking, just feeling. Feeling the wind rush past his ears, he began to feel more relaxed than he had felt in weeks. He started to let his mind mull over some serious questions he had been ignoring for a while. At 49 years of age, and at this point in his life, he felt it was time to start making some hard decisions. He knew his marriage was over. Being 6 feet, 225 pounds, with long blond hair, goatee and mustache, and bright blue eyes, he felt he still had something vital to contribute to a good relationship. His sexual drive had always been very high, but even at the beginning of this 20 year marriage he had had very little satisfaction. Joanne was a petite brunette with dark brown eyes, yet a full, lush body. That was what attracted John in the beginning...opposites attract he felt. Minnesota was the land of the Nordic, and Joanne's difference from the horde of blue-eyed blonds was like honey to a bear. However, once the "honeymoon" was over, John was dismayed by the lack of true warmth and affection he received. Sex quickly diminished to once a week, then maybe once every other week, and now, at this point, non-existent. John wasn't sure if Joanne had found someone else or not, but sadly enough, he didn't care. It was almost pathetic how little he felt toward her anymore.
He had tried to be faithful, but after a quite a few years of declining affection and rejection of his love and advances, his desires were driven elsewhere. Everywhere John went, people noticed. He was a big man, commanding attention just by being in the same room with you, and naturally, the women who came in contact with him all felt the same animal magnetism coming from within him. Many women made offers, and some were accepted. John was reflecting on those encounters now as he drove higher and higher into the countryside. There were some very pleasant interludes; even a few that had lasted for a short while, but none was as satisfying as he had hoped.
After a while the clouds started rolling in around John. He was totally unaware of them. Being so deep into his thoughts, it was the first splash of rain on his face that "woke" him up. Inwardly he groaned, knowing he had a long, wet, miserable ride before he made it back home again. He kicked himself mentally for not paying closer attention to the weather around him. Almost before he could make any further decision, the heavens opened up and he was drenched in a deluge of water. It was too late to try to outrun the storm, and, looking ahead or behind, John realized there was little to offer any degree of protection from the elements. He drove on in hopes of encountering a gas station to wait in while he waited for a break in the storm.
He rode a little further when he noticed a light shining through the rain-darkened area. Deciding to pull over and wait there, John didn't notice the big pot-hole in the road that had already filled up with water. His bike hit it full-on, sending John head first over his handlebars, fortunately landing in a soft pile of pine needles. The wind was knocked out of him, however, and he lain there for a while. A few moments later, after regaining his senses, John raised himself up on one elbow, and that's when he saw her standing above him.
He hadn't heard her leave the house or approach him, but there she was. At first he thought he was seeing an angel, so lovely a vision was she. His "angel" stood about 5 feet 4 inches, quite a bit shorter than he, but when she offered a hand to help him stand, he felt a strength in her grip and was immediately impressed by it. He stood up and brushed himself off, never taking his eyes off her. She offered the shelter of the large umbrella she had brought with her. He took it and covered the both of them. They stood there for a moment, just looking at each other, and then she broke the silence.
"Would you like to pick up your bike before someone comes along and runs over it?" she asked in a low, almost sultry voice.
Startled into action, John nodded. Handing the umbrella back to her, he strode over to the bike, set it upright, and wheeled it back over to where she stood. Wordlessly, she started walking towards her house. He hadn't remembered seeing any actual physical structure, just some light. But ahead about a hundred feet, was a small cabin-like house, almost hidden behind a row of evergreens. That must have been the light he saw a few moments ago. The woman pointed to the car-port where he could park his bike. There was only a late-model Jeep parked in the two-car car-port, so he put his bike on the opposite side.
From there she led him into the house through a side door. Immediately John was struck by the simplicity and "at-home" atmosphere he saw and felt. The room he entered was the kitchen. It had honey-golden oak cabinets that were polished and shiny. The appliances were fairly new and the kitchen had obviously been modernized in recent years, yet it still bespoke the love and care of its owner, saying "this is my home" to anyone who entered. The air smelled fresh and clean with a hint of cinnamon. Finally, after absorbing all this, his attention returned to his rescuer. John finally found his voice and introduced himself.
"Hi, I'm John. I can't tell you how thankful I am that you found me when you did."
The woman smiled back, and extended her hand. "I'm Kelly. Welcome to my home," she replied.
As she turned to take off her rain poncho, John was able to get a better look at her. She was beautiful, but the way she moved and talked and acted, it was as if she was totally unaware of it. When she turned back around after hanging her poncho on a hook, she looked expectantly at him. John stood there tongue-tied and shy suddenly.
