Adventure Hour

We passed him in the car,
driving down the off ramp.
He looked as if he hadn't showered in days.
Rag clothes,
and a heavy plaid jacket.
His eyes were filled with sadness,
I wanted to scream at my mom to pull over.

So I came home,
grabbed my bag,
filled it with two granola bars,
a packet of Ritz crackers,
a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss.
I took two water bottles from the trunk,
and piled them in.

I opened the door,
reaching for my helmet,
all the while,
waiting for the garage to open.
I back up my bike,
closed the garage.
Put one foot on the pedal,
and swung the other leg over.

Bike fast,
I thought to myself.
Faster, faster.
Hoping he was still there.
I careened down the gradual slope,
cursing at the stupid sidewalk curbs.
And I kept biking.

Until I spotted him again.
He was still alone.
Pulling his jacket tighter around his body,
even I could feel the wind picking up.
He was on the other side of the street.
On the corner of the intersection,
where all on and off ramps meet.

But when I crossed the street to his side,
I saw him smile.
I smiled back, and got off my bike.
Putting down the kick stand.
And I said to him,
"I have something for you."
And feeling a bit silly, I asked,
"Is that okay?"

He just nodded as he watched me,
like any moment I would try and hurt him.
I took my bag off my shoulders,
pulled out the grocery sack that held everything,
and I placed it on the ground
close enough for him to reach.
He looked up at me and smiled.
I smiled back, and said goodbye.

** Written October 2010