The Open Road

Naomi has graduated from the world of training wheels. All summer long we’ve given this two-wheeler thing a go but it’s been in fits and spurts. With our summer routine, and McKibbin still working odd hours, we never really found a block of time to stick with it. Naomi would get frustrated or I’d have to get dinner started, and the whole effort would unravel.

The turning point came last week when Naomi set her sights on a purchase from the Scholastic Catalog that exceeded what she has in her piggy bank. After dinner she urged me to list some of her earning potential. I cast out a couple of ideas: extra chores around the house, memorize Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I A Woman?” speech, ride her two-wheeler home from school every day for a whole week…

She took a shine to this bike ride idea. By comparison to folding laundry, or memorizing the words of some dead person, I’m sure the bike ride sounded like a snap but, elieve me, the week proved to be harder than she expected. At times she’d crumple into my arms, frustrated and mad at that stupid bike. Other times she’d beg me to let go of the handle bars confident she could do it.

Living about eight blocks from Prescott Elementary school the trip proved a reasonable distance. But it was a long enough jaunt that she had to tough it out when she got stuck or skinned up. One way or another the three of us (her, me, and the stupid bike) had to get home.

Its official, though, as of last as night she got it. Even Naomi would have to say she’s a two-wheelin’ sort of a gal. She mounted the bike and took off for a two-block stretch. The sunlight spilled out on the pavement ahead of her. She bobbled to a stop well before the busy intersection, turned back to me and whooped with glee.