“if only you could see”

February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 December 2009 January 2010 May 2010 June 2010 September 2010 October 2010 January 2011 March 2011 April 2011 May 2011 August 2011 August 2012 September 2012 October 2012 November 2012 August 2013 November 2013 December 2013 January 2014 June 2014 July 2014 August 2014 May 2015 May 2016 June 2016 July 2016 December 2016 June 2017 July 2017 June 2018 November 2020 December 2020 April 2021 November 2021

On foggy days like these, I don't like to do much. I like to imagine the clouds got lazy and didn't feel like lifting themselves out of our way, so why should I get out of bed? But I remembered a certain promise to someone, and decided to keep my bicycle company. There was the usual route past a few convenience stores on the lonesome road I lived on. About half a mile down, and still no passing cars (they didn't want to get out of bed either, I should have listened), the shadow of someone walking was startling. I slowed my pace, and followed the shadow for a while before it stopped, and I kept going until I heard a voice.

"Why are you following me?" I stopped pedaling, and the figure turned to face me. I let the bike continue forward, slowing, and she soon came into focus. She was a lithe figure, straight black hair to her shoulders, bangs covering her forehead like a curtain. In one hand, a small paper bag, the other, a chain with a locket dangling, neither of which she held with much care. She wore no shoes, I wondered how her feet were faring. I noticed that her shirt hung loose, and she wore shorts just above her knees. I told her I was just going along my way, but I knew she didn't believe me. I didn't believe myself.

"Why are you out here, anyway?" I laughed in disbelief. How could she ask me that question? She had no shoes. Why was SHE out here? I shrugged at her question, to which she simply turned back around. "Just stop following me, and go." Before today, I had the idea of meeting someone on my way of bike riding, and there would be friendly banter, and maybe a date, assuming the someone was female and fairly attractive, but this encounter had shattered my hope in any stranger meeting. But I wondered, if I didn't say anything, would she consider me mute, or maybe my ideal had to be possible with something on my part. So I surprised myself. I asked how she'd like it if I joined her. I made her stop a second time.

"I told you I didn't want you following me...why would I want you to join me?" But her voice faltered this time. She had to formulate the words to be piercing. But I figured it was my only chance. I presented the idea of company on a foggy day. Maybe the comfort in knowing someone might hit me before they'd hit her. I wasn't sure if it made much of a difference to her who got hit first, but she simply started walking with no more words, and I took it as an open invitation. I could better see the detail on the locket, oval shaped and floral decorated. I wondered what picture might be inside. And what might be inside the small bag of hers. I watched her arm swing at her side, to find that the small bag was that of a prescription. I wondered what she might need, what with her not wearing shoes. And so I thought, too much.

The rest of the way was rather silent, aside from tire on loose rocks, chain hitting against side, and bag with rustling contents. The only defining factor of actually arriving somewhere was a mailbox at the end of a long and winding driveway. I didn't keep track of direction, and so she pointed me the right way, saying that we never actually turned anywhere. I nodded, while my cheeks turned somewhat bright red. She smirked at my reaction, while I kept my head lowered. I watched her until she disappeared into the fog, then circled around and made my way home.

Looks like I kept more than one promise today.

Labels: fiction junction