An Unlikely Teacher

Forty-two miles into a fifty mile ride, feeling great. Stopped at a traffic light in the left turn lane. Heard a car approaching from behind. Above the rumble of the engine, an angry voice, "What're ya doin'! You're not a car!" Turned around for a quick glimpse. Blonde handlebar mustache approaching fifty behind the wheel of a soft top Geo Tracker. "Git that thing outta here or I'll run you right the f—k over!" So angry, so unprovoked, so wrong! Lost a little confidence, despite being right and proper and clearly more mature. Maybe was just a little bit sad for that man. The left arrow turned green. Casually clipped in to make the turn as he sped by. More incomprehensible expletives.

Finished the ride and relaxed on the porch, happy to be sitting on something a little less intrusive than a bike seat. Ate a couple PB&J sandwiches that had been for somewhere along the way. Two bees immediately zeroed in on the sweet blackberry jelly. Landed on the sandwich, shaken off, landed right back on the sandwich. Persistent. Upon instinct, with another expulsive flick of the wrist: "Get the f—k outta here!"

I stuffed the rest of the sandwich in my mouth and sat there for a little second. Maybe I don't know all the rules just yet.