My Red Bicycle

....the park was more crowded than usual today.  It was the first weekend in November.  Leaves were in full bloom.  Piles of fallen summer were everywhere.  Kids playing all around me.  Dogs barking.  Sirens blaring streets over.  Teens could be seen, playing flag football in the barren field, to my left.  Even though I came out here, every day to be alone, I never was.  Some kid would always come over, to say something to me.  I wish I had their energy.  I used to.  I remember when I used to run, and play.  Without a care.  Mad, when I had to come inside, as the street lights came on, all too soon. 

'Excuse me, Ma'am. Could you throw my frisbee back to me?' this little girl asked me.  She couldn't have been no more than eight, or nine years old.   She just looked at me, afraid to come any closer.  I guess I did look scary to her.  I always dressed in several layers of clothes.  It made me feel safe, guarded from the world.  I picked the frisbee up, and tossed it back to the little girl.  Something in me, in that instant, felt like a kid again.  "I wish I had a bicycle," I said to myself.  I wished I could ride a bike.  I never learned to, when I was growing up.  My mother never could afford it.  I got used to my dreams.  The ones that never came true.  The story of my life.  But, I am so grateful for being here.  He must have His own reasons for keeping me here.

I would come to that same place, almost every day.  Just to catch a glimpse of my childhood gone.  This day, my life would change, forever.  Sitting there, kinda not feeling so well.  Not even sure what's wrong, but I don't think I will be out here long.  Going back home early. 
'Hello.  My name is Arianna.  What's yours?' She looked at me, with bright eyes, like she was waiting for an answer.  I smiled.  "Aranna, you say.  My name is Anne; pleased to meet you."  'Ar-ri-an-naaa. That's how you say it.  That's my name. Can you say that?'  "Chile, Yo name is what I call you.  At my age, you lucky if I can talk at all.  Now, gone back out there, and play with the rest of the kids.  Gone, now, and leave this old lady be."  I watched, as she ran back to play with the rest of the kids.  They played on up til it started getting dark, and one by one, they started scurrying home.  Never saw her leave.  I walked home, in the near darkness.  Police cars passing me by, slowing down....looking.  Stopped by the store to get some milk for my cereal in the morning.  Then headed home.

Next day, Almost the same time as yesterday, You could find me, headed towards the same park, the same bench.  Five thirty.  The same kids.  Same games.  Nothing much changed around here.  I liked it, because too much change scares me.   I like predictable.  Everyday, I expect not to be shaken out of my sublime existence.  The only thing I have ever wanted, that I haven't gotten, is a bicycle.  Just don't make sense to buy one at my age.  Guess I will leave that for these kiddies.  Like Aranna.  By the way, where is she?  She makes it a point to come by to speak to me each day.  I think she is tickled by the way I say her name.  Oh, I know how to say it.  I just like being different.  I wonder where she lives, and what kind of parents she has.  She looks decent enough.  Good manners.  Pretty smile.  Reminds me of my sister.  I miss her so much. 

I'd return to the park each day for weeks.  Just to be closer to the memories of my family that has gone on.  To feel alive.  My steps have gotten a little slower.  Friends don't come around to check on me.  The good Lord keep my health and strength--I'm gonna make it.  I raise my hands to Heaven, and smile.  Cause my help cometh from the Lord. 

It's been two, or three days, since I saw Aranna.  I'm starting to worry.  Hoping everything is alright with her.  I pray it is.  At the end of the day, I walked back home, like I normally do. Taking my time.  Something felt different.  I couldn't put my finger on it.  I walked home singing a song, with joy in my heart. 

I got to my steps, and sat down, like I normally do.  To rest.  Then, I went inside.  Sitting in the middle of the floor...was a brand new bicycle.  Not the fancy kind, but, like a mountain bike.  With a basket on the front, a horn, and a note.  I walked over to it, snatched the note off the handle bars.  I sat down at the table, and opened it. 

"FROM ARANNA, WITH LOVE"    

Tears welled up in my eyes.  I never told anyone that I wanted a bike.  No one.  We never even spoke more than a hello to each other.  I never saw her again.   How did she know......