Brando
brANDO
That could have been messy, I think as I rub the bridge of my nose.
The gal on the bicycle came whipping around the corner and almost took out a couple of teenage lovebirds, and she looked angry about it.
I can’t tell who wasn’t paying attention, but I’m pretty sure that riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is against the law to begin with.
Or maybe not. Who knows in this little rinky dink hamlet?
I stand on the other side of the street a little longer, waiting for the speed demon to disappear, before I go across to where the teens are still obviously shaken over the potential accident that could have realistically sent all three parties involved to the hospital.
“Hey! I saw what just happened. Are you guys okay?” I ask, putting forth a tone of concern. I don’t particularly care if I’m being honest, but I figure if I start off as someone who might, they’ll be willing to answer a question for me.
The young boy is steadying his equally shaken lady friend, who looks like she’s trying so hard not to burst into tears. Kids, I think as I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
“Yeah, thanks,” he replies in a quiet, shaky tone. He puts his arms around his gal’s shoulders and pulls her close, before he clears his throat and finally looks up at me. “Thanks for asking.”
I nod, giving him a friendly smile. “Would you be able to help me out with some directions?”
He doesn’t say yes or no, just continues to look at me with that slightly vacant, light at the end of the tunnel stare.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” I continue with a grin. “I’m trying to find Chestnut Road. Any idea which way I should be going?”
He finally nods, raises a shaky hand briefly, and points in the direction they were headed before he goes back to holding his gal close again. “At this corner, take a left, and it’s a few blocks down.”
“Thanks, kid,” I say.
I start walking up the street but stop for a moment and turn slightly to glance back at them. “Are you sure you’re both okay?” I still don’t care, however, he was nice enough to point me in the right direction, so I guess faking concern one more time for the road isn’t the worst way to pass the next couple of seconds.
“We’ll be fine,” he assures me.
I give him a two finger salute before shoving my hands back into my pockets and heading in the direction I’ve been given. I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do when I get to Parker’s front door—I haven’t thought that far ahead.
I might knock.
I might have a John Cusack moment from Say Anything. I didn’t think to pack a boom box to bring with me, but my phone would work. And now that I think of it, it would have made for a fucking laugh at the very least.
Maybe she’ll be waiting for me outside.
Maybe she won’t even open the door.
Of all the mights and maybes that keep playing through my head as I turn left at the corner and get ever closer to Parker’s place, there’s only one that hasn’t crossed my mind.
That I maybe or might leave without her.
I’ve come way too far for that.