A rider in the sky. posted 9/12/2009 12:08:51 PM | 3 kudos what's this?     report abuse tagged: motorbike, romance, first, love

CHARLIgurl1

Everyone remembers their first time, that special relationship, the feelings of excitement, fear and uncertainty all rolled in to one emotion.

In my Blog “New horizons and an onion” I briefly mention the fact that I’d only ever had one boyfriend up until a certain time… his name was Martin.


My Father was very Victorian in attitude, ladies and girls should act accordingly, he was protective probably over so, and with my Grandma’s cotton wool loving, I was indeed a very sheltered and naive child.

I was 15 when I met Martin.
I watched him walk across the youth club hall with his motorbike helmet in his hand. I wasn’t the only one either, many girls liked Martin, he was tall, dark brown hair with a fringe that fell in his deep blue eyes, he had one of those lopsided smiles that gave him an air of mischief about him, and we all know that good girls like bad boys.

I turned quickly away when I thought he saw me looking, I sipped on my cola and tried to appear nonchalant.

At the end of youth club, around 7pm, we all stood around outside as usual, saying our “see you at school” and general chat, I heard a bike begin to rev.
I turned to see Martin on his Kawasaki 700 holding out a helmet in my direction.
The girls in my group began to giggle and whisper.
I just blushed and wasn’t really sure how to respond.
Suddenly Alison my best friend shoved me forward.

“Go on! He’s offering you a lift!”

I couldn’t see Martin’s face through his black reflective visor, but for some reason I could sense him smiling.

I managed to drum up some courage, took the helmet and tried to put it on. My nerves made my fingers fumble with the strap and it wasn’t on properly. I felt such a twit!

Martin got off the bike, nestled the helmet on my head correctly and fastened the strap.

The girls were in fine form by now screeching excitedly and one voice I heard said… “The lucky cow!”

With a Vroom! We were off, speeding along the main road towards home.

I hung on to his leather jacket for dear life, I had never ridden on a bike before, but the feeling was exhilarating!

When the bike came to a halt outside my home, I glanced up to the house, I could see dad in the window.

“Thank you for the lift.” I said nervously, keeping my eyes low and my heart beating fast.

Martin took off his helmet, remained seated and smiled that smile that made my knees go funny.

He asked for my number and wondered if I’d like to go somewhere tomorrow.

I acted cool, and appeared unsure but inside I was thinking.. “Are you kidding? Of course I do!!”

I agreed, and with that he put his helmet back on and was gone with a roar of the engine.

Dad of course had the fifty questions ready for me when I got in, but was pleased that there hadn’t been any ‘nonsense’ as he called it.

Martin was different it seemed, I’d heard so many tales of girls being mistreated by boys, but he was a gentleman, albeit he was 17.

He even called round one day and asked my dad permission to date me, which of course my dad lapped up and served his Victorian attitude and ego well.

We dated for several weeks, but every night was the same, I was just too shy, and was aware of dad in the window.
One evening, after coming out of the club, Martin stopped by the bike. He turned and leant down to kiss me.
My knees were jelly, and my heart was all over the place.

His aftershave wasn’t strong like some teenagers wore it, drenching themselves in it thinking they smell cool, his was delicate and with the smell of his leather jacket and the scent of the warm evening air it was a recipe for love.

My first kiss, my first embrace, it felt wonderful and I was on top of the world.

Arriving home that evening I skipped up the path to the house feeling like I was on air, I couldn’t have felt happier.

Unfortunately it was short lived.

Martin was killed in a motor bike accident just a week later.

I don’t know how I coped, I really don’t remember much about my emotions, I think I was just numb.

I went to the funeral, but stayed back from the family, I didn’t want to intrude.

Now, 34 years later, I am married to a wonderful man, I am happy, settled, we don’t have a lot, but what we do have is ours, and my life has been blessed by meeting Gregg.

But sometimes, as its only natural, when I see a bike speeding along the highway with a rider in black,


I hope they don’t end up like Martin,




A rider in the sky.

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Blogs by CHARLIgurl1: As clear as day. Birthday/Christmas gift nightmares. Funny pooch When my home and your home… become our home. sleeping crocodiles Mobile phone... a fashion accessory or just a tool? A mans car is an extension of his…. Among the profiles. Eating out in America.. From a Britt's Prospective. Not too proud. Pizza.. a personal work of art. Modern techology decodes the past A rider in the sky. Cheated. Keep your bugs at home! Never say Goodbye. A boozey weekend. MD road trip In the stillness of the night. Miko art competition Through the coming years. You. Destiny. Mender of souls