Wang Dang Doodle

I went bike shopping with my daughter yesterday. We both want one. Went to a cool co- operative shop over the bridge. There were so many great choices. It was like a dream. From cream puff vintage to sculptural state of the art. Prices were amazingly reasonable I thought.

We were a bit boggled as a young man came out from the work area behind the counter to help. So many good choices. As he approached I was thinking how much he reminded me of J.c. and Rose Diamond received a text. At first I was annoyed her phone was interrupting our time together. Then I realized it gave me time to admire this young man, who's tee shirt was greasy from the waist to just below his chest. There wasn't a spot left uncovered. I marveled at that and the v that surely lay under that shirt and strong shoulders. Simultaneously, I was hoping none of this thought process was apparent during this mother moment.

After Rose D. looked at her phone and brought her attention back to Mr Young Man, he ushered her over to a bike that would have been mine when I was her age. It was a beauty. Turquoise, college girl three speed. I wanted it. She didn't like the color. I was looking at how short young boy's hair was too. Which led back to his shoulders and the thought that I could probably bounce quarters off them. I proclaimed the bike sweeet and we moved on.

He showed us so many bikes it was a bit dizzying. He showed me one he thought I might like for road riding but he knew would be too big. A beast he said. In my enthusiasm I told him I measured at 24 inches for a cross frame. I meant 21 but I said 24. He looked at me as if i were on crack. Correcting myself, I said, "You're right, I'm trippin'."

I forgot about Rose Diamond standing there. Off behind my right shoulder she probably visibly cringed. She hates when I talk like that...but he reminded me of my homeboy and he and I always talk like that.

Mr Man showed us one more bike for Rose Diamond next. It was painted her high school's colors. Navy blue with yellow fenders. More of a mountain bike. I knew she wanted a collegiate three speed.

"If you don't hate that one it would be good for you on the hills, " I made the mistake of saying.

"I don't hate it." she said.

I could see her inner tension rising. A mother sees these things. I told the bike boy we needed time to think and thanked him. Asked his name. Caleb. Told him he'd probably see us a couple more times.

We went outside to look a bit more. Rose Diamond wasn't calming down . When I asked what was wrong she'd only say she was annoyed.

I don't think she saw me and that handsome, more age appropriate, man who was driving the black Lexus SUV exchanging glances.

Might have been something I said but maybe it was the text.

I think I'll go back by myself next time.