By Sue McManus
This is the story about my best friend Rocky. Other kids thought he was tough because he had rescued an old man from a burning building. I’m his best mate Jackson, since kindergarten.
Walking down by the creek we spotted a worn-out push bike in the water.
“Finders’ keepers. “ Rocky jumped in to retrieve it.
“It’s all rusty and broken, what are you going to do with that piece of junk?”
I thought it was beyond servicing but Rocky had other ideas.
We lugged the mangled heap out of the water. Mud and grass clogging the wheels and we dragged it home.
I had to go away for the weekend with my parents so I wouldn’t see Rocky until Monday.
“See you when I get back.” I yelled as we drove away.
Rocky locked himself in his garage that weekend and worked on that sorry
bike.
Arriving home Monday I got that phone call.
“Meet me at Suicide Gap in 15 minutes.”
He sounded excited, that wasn’t like him he was always so cool calm and collected.
I peddled my bike over in record time to meet him.
Rocky waited at the top of the road that ran down at a sheer angle to where it met at the creek.
“You aren’t going to ride that bike down, and jump that creek at the bottom?” I myself thought he was crazy.
“Why not? It’s perfectly safe.” Rocky scoffed to think I didn’t believe he’d fixed the broken bike.
Some of the local kids gathered and waited, maybe to see him fail or beat this
and jump the creek at the bottom.
I thought I saw a slight doubt in his eyes but then he said in true hero style.
“Let’s get this over with.”
Rocky adjusted his helmet and threw his legs over the bike, did a wheel stand and raced down the hill at breakneck speed.
The boys cheered and some girls screamed as Rocky hurdled down the hill.
“Why did I think I could do this crazy stunt?”
“Because you’re a hero, think positive. All the kids are waiting for you to prove you are not just a onetime hero. Don’t let them down.”
Concentrate and don’t get yourself killed. A voice in his head told him.
The creek was looming ahead, he could see the water approaching.
With his heart in his mouth, Rocky gathered his strength and went for it.
The bike soared in the air. Time stopped. His breath caught in his throat and
he landed with a thud on the other side.
His legs felt like jelly when he got off the bike.
The kids were cheering and came clambering down the hill to meet him.
I was the first to reach him, after all I’m his best buddy.
He had that cocky grin on his face and said calmly.
“No prob’ piece of cake!” he said, and turned to greet his cheering fans.
