A Runner from a Bummer
by EC Pandzic
Eric had been looking forward to it the whole day in summer school. A two-scoop ice cream cone at Thrifty’s. When he could swing it, it was usually only a single scoop, but today he had enough for two and that’s what it was gonna be. The first scoop was definitely going to be coconut-pineapple, but the choice of the second varied by the hour. Maybe Rocky Road, that might match.
When dumping his backpack at home, Eric had hoped his big brother would already be home and want to join him, but alas, Mark wasn’t. Mark was popular and always had stuff going on so it didn’t make sense for Eric to wait for him. So, Eric got on his bike and left on his mouthwatering mission. A mile and a few minutes later, Eric parked his bicycle in front of Thrifty’s and entered their air-conditioned ice-cream sanctuary. Two scoops was a hefty sum of money for Eric, but with it now in hand, he felt he got the better end of the transaction than Thrifty’s did.
Thrifty’s ice-creamery wasn’t too far from the store entrance, but when you’re caught up in every swirl of your tongue around the cone, a snail could pass you. As Eric exited the store, he was already through one scoop and halfway through the second. Eric ambled to the left outside still savoring his purchase. ‘Not there’, Eric turned around, ‘Not there either,’ Eric thought. Instinct took over and Eric’s focus left his cone. ‘Where’s my bike?’ he focused. He didn’t bother locking it up as usual, and it became apparent that no one had simply moved it aside either. It wasn’t there! ‘Oh, No!’ Eric then realized, ‘it’s gone. Was it stolen? Oh, No!’
As Eric realized the possibilities for it being missing were few, he and his mostly eaten ice cream walked quickly back into the store. Eric asked the man closest to the entrance if they knew anything about his bike. The man said that they didn’t, then said “I’m sorry” as to convey what was now obvious. “Do you want me to call the police?” he asked.
Eric agreed and waited for the police hoping during that time that someone might just ride up and return it. That wasn’t to be and though the police were also sympathetic, they weren’t hopeful about its return.
The mile walk home was somber for Eric. His mom, brother Mark and he were a humble family and Mark and Eric only had bikes because on one awesome weekend, their uncle had taught them both to ride and given them his used ones. The fact no replacement was coming was echoed by Eric’s mom and though his brother Mark was also sympathetic, he kept asking Eric why he didn’t lock it up. “I know, I know,” Eric replied.
Eric had a bit of a sickening feeling over the next couple of days remembering his trusty steed. He even walked over to Thrifty’s covering different streets hoping to see his bike dumped somewhere nearby. Nope.
Friday swung around, and Mark and Eric didn’t have summer school on Friday’s. Friday was the day they went to the beach. Or, I should say, Friday is the day they rode their bikes to the beach as it was three miles west. Mark and Eric talked about it the evening before and Mark agreed to Eric riding double, probably on the handlebars. But Mark’s bike was different than Eric’s, smaller and almost a BMX.
Friday mornings were always the same with mom at work. Mark and Eric got up late and without mom’s critiques, always seemed to achieve new heights in lounging techniques. But sometime around 10:30, even they were bored of being lazy. Into t-shirts, trunks and flip-flops, they only needed to pack a towel for their day at the beach. They grabbed the sandwiches their mother had made and compared their coins for goodies afterwards.
Mark saddled his bike and Eric positioned himself on the handlebars where and how Mark instructed. However, a block and a mad car honk later, Mark was complaining that he couldn’t maneuver or even see with Eric on the handlebar in front of him. Eric hopped off and they tried it again. Same result. Then Mark suggested piggyback. But that was worse as Eric had nowhere to brace his feet which led him to pulling Mark off the bike on each bump since Eric could only wrap his arms around Mark to hold on. Halfway into their journey, Mark was over it.
“This isn’t working.” Mark said.
“I know, I know.” Eric answered.
“I’d say I’d meet you there, but I won’t do that to you,” Mark said in a brotherly way. “Why don’t you just walk along side and I’ll go slow.”
“Okay,” Eric agreed..
So that’s what they did for a while. Then when a streetlight turned yellow, Eric started running to make it which allowed Mark to pedal normally. But playfully, Eric didn’t stop and began racing Mark. Naturally, a little extra pressure on his pedals allowed Mark to keep up. Eric ran faster, but Mark passed him grinning ear to ear.
When they stopped almost two blocks later, Mark complimented Eric, “That was pretty good, I didn’t know you had that in ya.”
Eric smiled while still huffing and puffing in recovery. “Yeah, that felt good,” he answered. “Give me a couple of minutes and I can run further,” Eric said wanting not to be a burden without his own bike. The extra effort was worth it to Eric. Mark had graduated middle school and was now in high school so they hung out less and less. Both still enjoyed their traditional summer beach days and it was occurring to Eric that it might be easier for Mark to go on his own now that Eric had no bike.
They walked a block or so, then Eric egged Mark on: “Let’s go!” And Eric began running. Pretty soon they were at the beach which was perfect for cooling down. A wonderful few hours later with a good layer of sea salt on them, it was already time to go home.
With always lots of stuff to see, they ambled off the beach, across the bike paths and by the nearby tourist stores till they got to the main boulevard. “I can run a ways,” Eric offered.
“You’re not tired?” Mark asked.
“Yeah, a little bit, but not so much that I can’t run.” Eric said.
“Okay. But that doesn’t really make sense, does it?” Mark said sarcastically.
“Maybe not, but I can go at least a couple of blocks.” Eric answered. “Here, take my stuff.”
“Okay, let’s see what you got,” replied Mark as he got on his bike and began pedaling with a big fat smile of dominance.
Eric took off. The fact the Mark was biking competitively got Eric running even faster. Fortunately, for both I guess, the next streetlight turned red and both were stopped and reset to even. This went on until they got home. Mark could obviously beat Eric every time, but he was having fun watching Eric or making him run faster, it was hard to tell.
Nevertheless, when they arrived at their house, Mark was complimentary. “That was impressive. You can really run. Maybe that’s your thing.” Hearing Mark say that made Eric happy. When their mom got home from work, Mark even told her of it which further pleased Eric. “I wish we could replace your bike, but that won’t be anytime soon I’m afraid.” Mom said.
Eric knew the score. Funds were always tight and had his uncle not had those bikes, he might not have gotten his first one.
And so, it went. Mark and Eric kept their beach days with Eric running alongside of Mark riding his bicycle. Eric started to excel in his school’s physical education class whenever running was involved. When Eric got to high school, he joined the running team, then the track team, then cross country. Two years ahead, Mark eventually graduated high school and moved away to college. Nevertheless, every time Mark and Eric talked, Mark always asked how Eric’s running was going. There was still a little needling about Eric not locking-up his bike, but they laughed many times how that had changed Eric’s life.
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