The semester was over!!!

Matthew bounded down the stairs, excited to no end that he had just finished his last final of this school semester. The sunshine and warm temperatures beckoned him, teasing his senses with the gentle breeze. He walked directly to the bookstore to sell his last book back. He stood in a short line and was quickly waited on.

"Can I help you, sir?"

"Yes, buy this last crummy book back.....please."

"Sorry sir, but they're reprinting this one. Can't give you any money for it, but I can take it off your hands."

"No, thanks. I'll have more fun burning it. Thanks for nothing." Matthew stalked back outside, always angry at the raping each year from the bookstores. As soon as he hit the sun again though, his good mood returned in full force.

Matthew hopped in his truck and sped home. He had grand plans to talk Rolf into going out for the afternoon to celebrate his freedom.

When he arrived at home he screeched to a halt in the driveway. He grabbed his book bag and practically flew up the steps, bouncing off of the door in shock when it didn't open. Rolf must be out back, that's why the door didn't open. He unlocked the door and ran in yelling "Rolf! Roooooollllffffffffff, I'm hoooooommmmmeeeeeee! Rolf?" He ran into the kitchen. "Rolf, where are you?" Just then he spied the note on the refrigerator. "_f_u_c_k_!" He angrily ripped the note down and read it, his heart sinking.

"Hey love. CONGRATULATIONS!!! The proper authorities have been warned you're free for the summer. I had all intentions of spending the day with you, and I'm so disappointed I can't be there to share in your excitement. Mr. Black made a surprise visit today and he needed me to run him over to his newest building site. I begged out of dinner, and plan on being back with you to take you out for your celebratory end of semester dinner personally. I have a surprise for you which I will share with you over our meal. Here's a hint. It involves a plane and three days of your time next week. Please don't pout, I'll be home soon. Love you, R. ps. Don't waste your time in my desk, there is nothing there!"

Matthew laughed as Rolf had pegged him exactly. He thought there would be tickets somewhere in the house and the desk was the first place he would have looked.

Matthew threw the note on the table and went directly to Rolf's sock drawer, the next best hiding place. He opened the drawer and immediately saw an envelope. BINGO! He gently opened the envelope and found one folded piece of paper. He unfolded it and laughed again. "Strike two Matthew, try again!" he crumpled that note and tossed it in the trash, now intent on HIS sock drawer, as Rolf had hidden something there before as well.

He yanked open his sock drawer and rummaged around in the back. Ah-hah! Another envelope! He pulled it out and ripped it open. "Strike three, you're out! Matthew, did you really think I'd leave them here? I know you TOO well. The tickets are with me. Now go enjoy your day, I'll be home soon, love."

Matthew sighed in mock frustration. Rolf did know him too well. He headed downstairs to find something to munch on. When he walked into the kitchen he spied his book bag. He decided now was the perfect time to burn that blasted book, along with all of his notes.

He grabbed the two items and headed out back. We went into the wooded area and brushed away some of the leaves and brush and put the book and notebook down. He decided that he needed........gas. He went into the garage and came out with the lawn mower gas can and the long handled grill lighter. He dumped on a good amount of gas, making sure to completely drench the book. Then he put the can down, far enough away so that it wouldn't catch on fire. He got the lighter lit, and snaked his hand out, careful not to get too close. When the lighter got near the book, it caused a small explosion. Matthew dropped the lighter as he scrambled backwards, falling on his tailbone. He watched in shocked fascination as the book went up in flames, large flames. Before he realized what was happening, a small bush off to the side started to burn. Matthew looked over and saw that and jumped up, grabbing the gas can and running back to the garage. He grabbed a bucket, dipped it in the pool and ran back to try to put out the fire. It took him three trips with the bucket of water to get the fire out.

He sat down on a pool chair and breathed a sigh of relief. Rolf would have killed him if something worse would have happened. He looked into the wooded area and saw the somewhat large burnt area. Rolf would still have something to say about that. He'd just try to keep it secret as long as he could.

Matthew headed back into the house, fixing himself a bowl of soup. While that was warming on the stove he called Marc to see if he could join him for an afternoon of fun. The phone rang twice before Marc picked it up. "Hello?"

"Hey Scooby, what's up?"

"Nothing much fruitcake, what's up with you?"

"I am OUT of school!!! Finished the last test this morning. All ready and set for some fun. Care to join me?"

"Congratulations! How did the test go?"

"I don't know, don't CARE! I'm done, woo hoo HOOOOOOO!"

"Alright already. I get it, you're excited."

"That isn't the word for it. So, ARE you going to join me?"

"No fruitcake, I can't." Marc heard the pout before Matthew could even put it into words. "I know, I'm sorry. There was a mix up in the schedule, and I've got to fill in for the day. I was just about out the door when you caught me. Another time?"

"Yeah, I guess so." Matthew said, dejection clearly audible in his words.

"I'll take you to a movie tomorrow, alright? Will that suffice?"

"Okay. See you tomorrow."

"Now you have a great day, okay? Promise me?"

Matthew smiled in spite of himself. "Okay, promise. You have a good one too. Bye!"

"Later"

Matthew put the phone down, somewhat pleased about the movie invite, though it still didn't help with today. He tried to call Chris and Michael and they either weren't available or didn't answer the phone. Todd was out of town this week, so he wasn't an option. "grrrrr" Matthew grumbled as he got his soup off the stove. He settled into the living room and turned on the television. He wasn't watching his bowl of soup when his cat jumped up on the couch, intent on a treat. The cat tipped the bowl enough to spill some before Matthew realized it. "TIFFANY! What are you doing?" He quickly got his bowl up, and tried to dab at the stain on the couch. The cat just sat and stared at Matthew, wondering why he was cleaning up her plate of food. He petted her, saying "You are too cute for your own good. Look what you did, the couch is now stained. Rolf is going to kick your......my butt for that!" He finished his bowl of soup and then tried with the upholstery cleaner to get the tomato based stain up. He got up most of it, but if you looked you could still see a faint stain. Okay, now Rolf would have to be kept off the couch, and away from the back windows, at least for today.

Matthew looked outside and realized he had left the garage open and the gas can out. He went and put the can back. While he was out there he looked over at Rolf's motorcycle. It was a beautiful midnight blue BMW R80ST. Rolf took great pride in that bike, keeping it clean and fully maintained. He rode it at least once a week and had taken a few week long trips with a few other bikers, covering quite a bit of the United States. Matthew enjoyed being a passenger, but really wanted to be the driver. Rolf didn't let Matthew drive it unless they were in a field, as Matthew was still learning to use the gears. And once he could ride well enough to pass the test, he was to be enrolled in a safety course before being allowed to ride without Rolf there.

Matthew was thoroughly bored and knew that Rolf wasn't coming home until dinnertime. It was such a beautiful day, and no one could spend it with him. He decided, against his better judgement, to take off for a short ride into the country. Rolf wouldn't notice, and he wouldn't go far. He was sure he could handle the bike, Rolf just tended to be too overprotective of him, smothered him actually. So he closed up the house, pulled the bike out, got his helmet and got ready to mount the bike. A thought flashed through his head. It was Rolf talking "I don't care HOW hot it is, or what you want to do, but if I EVER catch you riding without your leathers on for protection, I'll thrash you. You fall without leathers, you'll lose every bit of skin on your body. You ride without leathers and make it home alive, I'LL * take every bit of skin off your backside." Matthew knew how serious Rolf was about safety. He walked back into the garage and suited up in his leather chaps, jacket, and leather gloves. He hopped on the motorcycle, started it, and took off for a wonderful ride in the beautiful countryside.

Matthew was thoroughly enjoying the wonderful feeling of freedom and fresh air in the country. There were cars in front and behind, and they kept him from speeding. Up ahead was a sharp left hand curve. Matthew slowed down to the suggested 45mph and leaned gently into the curve. The kickstand had fallen down, and as soon as it made contact with the road, the bike set up straight, then violently fell over on the right, Matthew and the bike sliding across pavement and landing in the ditch.