Thank you, shiny red truck, for not pulling any further into Vernon Street as I cycled past. Sorry I had to straight-arm your hood, but it really looked as if you were not going to stop at all, and I felt pretty exposed as I wheeled past your chrome and polish and hot breath.
I’m sure you were surprised, and (maybe?) a little embarrassed. Sight lines are bad, with those parked cars nearly blocking the driveway. Maybe your driver just wanted to forget his day on the job and get you home. I could have been less insistent on maintaining my place in the road, I suppose. Maybe I wasn’t paying enough attention, either. Anyway, no harm done—this time. No dents, no foul. Did we both learn something?
That was a friendly wave I gave you, as I rode past, only slightly diverted from my course. Not a finger. Your driver, bless him, may have misunderstood.
—Just trying to get home in one piece
This article appears in Sep 27 – Oct 3, 2018.