was holding together but the once sturdy machine now had rattles and squeaks emitting from her frame and they were increasing in pitch and frequency. The smile on Seven’s face was unforced and completely organic. He instinctively closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and lifted his chin to the sky. The Colonel’s smile and excitement matched that of his grandson’s in every way. The two were connected in mind and spirit, but then something went wrong, horribly wrong.
Age, rust, and willpower had been holding the unmanned steering device aboard the Beautiful Beverly in place. Common sense was shouting at Seven to open his eyes and grab the handlebars. In this instance, common sense came in the form of Patty Flowers, who had left her duties in the kitchen and stepped out on the porch to see exactly what her husband was shouting at and laughing about. Her maternal instinct took control when she saw her grandson barreling down the only hill in the county on an old rusty bicycle. She instinctively slugged the Colonel on his left shoulder when she saw Seven’s closed eyes and extended arms. “Damit, Jessup, you’re gonna get the boy killed,” she barked. The Colonel never took his eyes off the show. He absorbed Gran’s punishment without acknowledgement as his potbelly bounced and jiggled from the laughter from his mouth.
Midway down the hill, the front wheel bounced along the uneven terrain. All that had held the handlebars tight let go suddenly. The front tire made an abrupt ninety-degree pivot while the remainder of the vehicle continued straight. The laws of physics assumed control as the front axle dipped and dug into the ground. The rear wheel lifted, sending Seven airborne. His body left the seat, and he was indeed flying, although this event was unexpected and not part of the flight plan. The abrupt change in altitude and direction forced his eyes open and his arms retracted into a protective stance. He was bracing for a hard landing.
Seven’s body was ejected from his vehicle and sent sailing at a low altitude trajectory face-first just slightly above the rough terrain. The earth’s pull brought him to an abrupt and painful landing. He