As I got closer, I saw that it wasn't a trailer behind the bicycle, but that the guy was riding an adult tricycle with a large rear basket. There were no kids, but rather a few small items in the basket.
I'd spent a good portion of yesterday morning with the tedious task of going through some boxes we still hadn't unpacked since our move. It was productive activity, but I found it mundane and a bit frustrating as I wasn't feeling inspired about where to put the "stuff". I had the whole day off, and I eventually decided I needed a getaway. A little bike ride should do.
I was enjoying the ride well enough when *bite me!* I felt a little sting in my upper chest. Fricken bug. I continued along thinking, "Well, at least it didn't fly in my mouth" when *bite me!* another bite! This one on my shoulder. That fricken bug was IN MY SHIRT! (I hate when that happens).
I'd instinctively smacked at the bite site, hoping I'd smashed the thing. But then I heard... like... a buzzing noise? Near my ear? Then (you guessed it) *bite me!*, that little shzt got me again!
Enough with social norms. I pulled over and ripped my shirt off!
Okay, in actuality, I just removed the right half of my shirt - pulled my arm out through the bottom, y'know? Then I set about frantically flapping that half of my shirt and swiping all around my arm/shoulder/boob.
I put my clothing back on and experienced no more bites. Here are my wounds as of today.
Really, that poor bug likely didn't want to be stuck in my shirt anymore than I wanted him in there. I guess he had a right to be upset, but so much for my rejuvenating bike ride... or so I thought.
Freshly bitten and having had to nearly undress in public, I was feeling rather blah when I came upon the couple as we all approached a road crossing. I waited behind them at the appropriate 6-ft or more distance. The woman appeared to be about my age, and the man was probably early to mid-20s. He was tall, but quite skinny. He wore a bike helmet, she did not.
The woman pointed out a few things in the road for the young man to be aware of for when we pushed off. They had a little discussion about how far they would go on the path once we crossed the street. They seemed to be genuinely enjoying the moment.
They gave me friendly acknowledgement, and I smiled back, said, "hi".. I learned that they were mother and son, and this was the son's first ride on his new 3-wheeler. He'd recently got it as they figured the exercise and fresh air would be good for his "recovery". Recovery from what, I don't know. They didn't say, and I didn't ask but agreed that it was probably a good idea.
Eventually, we got the signal to cross. The man motioned for his mom to go first, and she did. He followed, slowly, struggling a bit to get the large tricycle moving again. I brought up the rear as the three of us crossed the street single-file, me feeling strangely protective of the young guy. He was struggling but smiling and laughing about it.
The bike path continues on for several miles after that street crossing. But I was in no hurry, and rather enjoyed the company of this slow procession.
I'll admit that this is not typical of me when I'm out for a bike ride. I usually like to get out in front of slowpokes as soon as possible so as to get cranking. But something about these two - and they were about the slowest of slowpokes I'd ever trailed - made me want to linger.
But really, they were going so slow, it would've been weird - suspicious even - if I'd stayed behind them for long. So I passed them after we'd gone a few yards on the path after our wait at the light.
"See ya!", I said to the man on the tricycle. "See ya!", he cheerfully replied back.
"Bye!", to the smiling woman. "Good-bye!", she answered.
I thought about them for the rest of the day, and am still thinking of them today. I never even got their names.
I never told them that they saved my day.
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Linking up this week with Mama Kat for the prompt:
2. Share a story about someone who “saved the day” for you.
10 comments:
I am glad they were out there and you could see the beauty of the moment - but you poor baby. Those bites look awful. I am so sorry - what kind of bug stings that many times?????????
I would have lost my mind and looked like a crazy lady running naked down a bike path if there was a biting critter trapped in my shirt. And then I would have rolled into the the fetal position on the side of the path and called for someone to come pick me up. It's a sure sign I should stop exercising. ;) They really do look terrible though. I'm glad you kept at it and finished your ride with the lovely mother and son. I hope he's okay!
Oh my gosh those bites. I would have taken off my shirt or pants if this happened. Who cares.
And don't you want to say, "don't just give me a sound bite I want more info" But I know that is not proper but that is what goes through my mind in that kind of situation when someone says, recovery. argh!
Sandie, I don't know what kind of bug. It was pretty small. Thank goodness it wasn't a murder hornet! :P
Kat, I was just mad the stupid bug was stupid enough to get trapped in my shirt! The welts took a while to form, I should've just gotten naked right away.
Peggy, I know, right? Tell me "recovery" and stop there?? I was wondering, cancer? Head trauma? Seems like those would've been easy enough to include, so embarrassing STD maybe? Either way, I hope he makes a swift and full recovery from whatever.
Bugs like you don't they? You often get bitten by something, and before this comment becomes X-rated I'll shut up. Glad you found some friends" to cheer you up a bit!
Joey, I think my spirit animal must be some sort of stinging/biting bug. This is not the first time one has partied in my shirt and likely won't be the last.
I wonder what it was? Not everything stings or bites. When I was in gradeschool I felt something tickling me, running over my skin under my clothes, so I went to the bathroom, got in a stall and undressed and a small cockroach fell on the floor. To this day I feel repulzed by cockroaches and here in Florida, cockroaches are about 1 1/2 inches in size. It as neat thought that riding along with those people made your day.
MDW, dunno what it was. It felt a little like a little horsefly? Do those come in sizes? I was riding near some horse properties when it hit. Cockroaches, ick.
I love this story. Now I'll be thinking about them too!
Paula, thanks. I'm still thinking about them :)
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