December 27, 2022

“Stuckey’s,” by Michael Lloyd Gray

“Stuckey’s,” by Michael Lloyd Gray

His father had warned him not to go out too far.   “One step at a time, boy,” his father had said sternly. “No need to pop a gasket right off the bat.”  It was mid-summer on Lake Argus, Illinois, where Billy Ray’s family summered. He nodded at his father but stole glances at the motorbike, a 60 cc Harley. He didn’t know they even made them that small, but that was okay since he’d just turned sixteen and really had nothing to compare it with, certainly not the family Plymouth station wagon. His old man had taken the bike in on trade and fixed the fuel line, brakes, and patched the leaky tires. With the throttle thrown wide open, it might hit forty-five mph, but to Billy Ray, it was downright supersonic.  The motorbike was—freedom. …

Continue reading →