Stories

It was cold, getting dark, and she was thinking about money, the lack of it, and what to make for dinner. Her bicycle was getting a flat tire, she could feel it when she hit a bump in the street. Her three year old son sat in the front seat of her bicycle and seemed oblivious, the way only children can be. In the corner of her eye she saw a man on a bicycle getting closer behind her. He had a daughter about the same age, who was babbling to herself, clinching onto his thick winter coat. She recognized him from something, but wasn't sure from what. An actor? Someone she worked with? Or did he look like someone she knew? They passed an ice skating rink, one especially built for the holidays. Loud music was blasting from the speakers and teenagers were leaning on the railing. She looked at the man again, and remembered. How strange and oddly coincidental. Ten years ago, when she still thought she had to do everything as soon as possible, and as a result did almost everything, mostly boys, she had met a boy and for some strange reason they ended up on a skating rink similar to this one. They had kissed for a while in the middle of the crowd, and she had felt very exposed, but in a good way. She hadn't even known his name, which was part of the excitement. Nothing had come of it, she had gone home and had dinner with her parents. Peas and chicken. It all tasted better than usual. She looked at him again, and at his daughter. She should've turned a corner, but decided to cycle next to him one more block. Just to pretend a little longer.