The ice cream store was up the road, Around one corner and the through the park

The day was a hot and muggy one

Breathing was like sucking air in

Through a skinny straw

My bike was bright pink

With racing tires and water bottle holder

I was full of summer plans

And a longing for an icy Diet Coke

Mom told me to remember,

To put on my helmet

I promised her I’d wear it

And then tossed it by the side of the garage

My fingers were all sticky with sun block, sweat, and bug spray

They gripped the handle bars tightly

As my feet pedaled away

The air was thick like pudding

My bike sliced through it like a knife

The park was alive with people, trees and wildlife

Drips of perspiration sidled down my forehead

My thick red hair plastered itself

To the sides of my face

Parked my bike behind the store

Locked it to a chain link fence

Strolled into the ice cream shop

Sat down at the table and ordered

One diet coke with refills

I drained that sucker down,

Sweet bubbly liquid shimmying down my throat

The air conditioner hummed

And breezed through my damp blue T-shirt

Glanced at the time

Asked for my second Coke to go

Sucked down twenty ounces of it on the way out the door

The heat hit me like a heavy blanket thrown over my head

Sucked down some more sachrinated goodness

And then while surfing a caffeine high

Hopped on my bike

Pedaled so hard and fast

That scenery began going by in a blur

My caffeinated frenzy

Had my mental and physical spin cycles turned on top speed

Breezed through the park in seconds

Everything seemed brighter and faster

Sand spitting in my eyes

No time to stop and think,

No time to see the car coming straight towards me

Suddenly the noise of an engine made me turn

My front bike tire veered and pedals scraped against the curb

In seconds I was airborn

And then landing on the hot black pavement

There was the squeal of brakes

A shout in my ear

Metal invading the flesh of my cheek

Spitting out bloody mouthfuls of gravel and teeth

Shredded skin on my arms and legs

Shredded shorts clinging to my waist

The icy Diet Coke was all over me

My T-shirt soaked with something

Was that sweat, soda or blood?

Maybe I didn’t want to know

Things were starting to swirl around me

Then flicker in and out

Put my hand to my forehead

There was metal imbedded in my skin

Voices were all around me

Asking If I was okay

Tried to answer

But mumbles spewed out instead

Sirens came racing down the street

Can’t tell if my racing heart is from the caffeine or the fright

People in uniforms pierced me with needles

Bumpy ambulance ride

Smothered with tubes, wires, bright lights, and beeps

Hooked up to machines

Called out for my mom,

But my voice was an indiscernible blob and no one answered me

Whisked away to surgery

All I wanted was a bike ride to get a cold treat

Instead I got months of rehab

Metal in my skull

Slight brain damage

And scars that can never totally fade

They’ll be no more bike rides

And even if there were

Next time mom says wear a helmet

I’ll say okay mom

I’ve learned.