From Bully To Beloved

CAL

GRAND OPENING

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Amid the blinding flashes of photographers, I cut the ribbon halfway and hand the scissors to Justin to do the honors. I couldn’t have done it without him. He grins, grabs the scissors and squeezes. The ribbon floats apart.

“Bad to the Bone” starts playing and everybody cheers.

Justin hollers, bringing me into a man hug. “You did it, bro.”

“Wedid it. We,” I correct him.

The grand opening of Ashton Motors is here. Sweet Jesus. I can’t believe it. It’s so damn nice. Charlie’s words ring in my head as we shake hands: “There ya have it. A feckin’ motorcycle enthusiast’s kingdom on 22, 740 square feet of state-of-the-art showroom and workshop space for repairs and all sorts of custom shite, now officially one ofthelargest dealerships in the New York City area. Feckin’ cheers to that, boss.”

We’ve been working on this dream for months, and now it’s a reality.

Justin and I are on hand to greet guests and give tours of the facility with “Riding with the King,” “Runnin’ Down a Dream,” and our anthem, “Born to be Wild” booming out the speakers around us. Pizza trucks from our favorite go-to place are present, and free gifts are handed out: black custom hats and keychains with our shop’s logo, free motorcycle inspections, and-my favorite-free test rides on selected bikes.

Guests enter the showroom, and they are greeted with gleaming chrome and polished finishes. Justin and the rest of our team did one hell of a job. Ducks, Hawgs, and Kawis (Ducatis, Harley Davidsons, Kawasakis) and other brands as far as the eye can see, in a wide range of models, from classic and vintage to sport and touring. Each motorcycle is displayed as a work of art, undoubtably capturing the hearts of all who lay eyes on them. We also have a cozy lounge area where our customers can sit and relax while they browse our collection of leathers (protective gear, jackets and pants), or just hang out and chat with fellow bikers.

The opening is a huge success, with hundreds of visitors pouring in.

When a grinning Justin informs me that he’s spotted Jake Whitlock fromRevved Up, I offer him my fist, and he bumps it. I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment, even pride. I’ve put my heart and soul into this dealership, and seeing the excitement and admiration on the faces of the visitors today is a fulfilling experience that makes me excited about my plans to expand.

But one thing is missing. No. Not one thing. One person.