Read Online Ride Free by Debra Kayn - Free Book Online

near future anyway and tell her to give them to one of the visiting nurses that would take over Ellen’s care.
    She returned to the house and found Ellen in the chair she used in the living room.
    “All done, and I locked the garage from the inside.”
    “Thank you. Now tell me about this man. This is the end man, right?” She leaned forward.
    “Yes, he’s the one. You were right. I performed my run-in at the bar across from their motel.” She giggled. “He about busted a vein when he saw me there, but he followed me back home and saw the light.”
    “He feels the same way about you?” she asked.
    Sarah nodded. “He’s scared to death. I think he lost someone because they didn’t like the biker life. He’s scared I’ll make the wrong decision.”
    “That happens sometimes.” Ellen’s mouth drew down.
    The older woman stifled a yawn, and Sarah stood. She hugged Ellen longer than usual. She never had time to make friends her own age, and Ellen, although crippled with multiple sclerosis, filled the spot her own mother vacated on her death.
    “I’m going to miss you.” Sarah stepped back. “I’ve memorized your address and will drop a postcard in the mail. You can keep track of me and Reefer and where we travel.”
    The woman’s face paled, and her eyes clouded over. Sarah leaned over and placed two fingers over the pulse zone on her wrist.
    “Ellen, are you okay? Are you feeling funny anywhere? Your chest? Head?” She glanced at her wristwatch. Ellen’s pulse raced faster than normal.
    “No, no, dear. I’m all right, just tired.” Ellen grabbed Sarah’s hand and surprised her by the strength in her grip. “When do you leave?”
    “I’m not sure. Reefer is picking me up tomorrow.” She tilted her head. She didn’t like the way Ellen’s head shook. Even the therapy sessions didn’t bring on this severe of a reaction.
    “Can you convince your man to swing by here before you leave? I’d like to give you something.” She held onto Sarah’s hand.
    “Yeah, I’ll ask. I’m sure he’ll do that.” She nodded. “Are you sure you’re feeling all right? I can stay longer if you want me to call the agency and have someone spend the night.”
    Ellen squeezed Sarah’s hand one more time. “No, I’m fine. Now, go home and pack a bag with a couple changes of clothes and dream about hitting the road. Just make sure to stop by here on your way out of town, okay?”
    Sarah nodded again. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    At the entryway, she turned back to take one more glance at Ellen, who sat with her eyes closed. Sarah smiled softly. Her visit and her excitement had worn off on Ellen, but she knew her friend was happy for her.
     
     
     
    Chapter Nine
     

     
    It was only ten o’clock in the morning and Sarah had already delivered her extra clothes and knickknacks to the recreation hall that served as the apartment complex’s gathering place. She imagined the other tenants would pick through her things until they disappeared.
    Unnecessary belongings never played an important part in her life, and gifts from her people were usually in the form of helping each other, or words meant to encourage. She sighed, feeling lighter already. I came into this world with nothing, and I’ll leave this world with memories and fulfilled dreams.
    When she came home, she entered a very different apartment than earlier. Only one bag sat on the floor by the door and it contained everything she owned. She removed the key to the front door from her key chain and stared down at her hand. One key remained on the loop. She’d forgotten all about her car.
    She smacked the palm of her hand against her forehead. She’d call the reservation and have Bill come by and pick it up. Letting one of the teenaged boys buy her car would benefit her people, and in return, she could donate the money to the rehabilitation services offered by her people. Lord knows they’d tried hard over the years to help her da.
    She placed the