To Whom It May Concern

Years ago I was riding my very first motorcycle home after picking it up from the person who had sold it to me. I was terrified – careening and tipping – having never ridden on the street before. I kept stalling it too, and struggled to restart it each time. I was stopped again on an unsafe looking side street in a city and neighborhood I was very unfamiliar with. You ran up to me – not dressed appropriately for the chilly weather and hair unkempt – I am pretty sure you were homeless or close to it. Without me having to ask, you quickly gave me a push to jump start the bike and then with it idling you looked down at the engine and said the head gasket was shot. I amused you, saying “Oh really? Gee! Thanks!” At the time I didn’t even know what a head gasket was and wrote you off as someone not worth taking mechanical advice from. You jogged off as quickly as you had appeared and within a week I found myself having to replace the head gasket, which was indeed ruined.

I’m sorry I misjudged you!

You didn’t hear the sirens, but I did. The light turned green. I rolled forward a few feet before I heard the fire trucks coming. I could see them too, hurtling towards us from the right! But you couldn’t see them, could you? “Why is he stopping?” you must’ve thought to yourself. “The light’s green! Go! Go!”  It sounded as if you undid your seat belt and sat on your horn. I could feel the anger and impatience blasting into the back of me! As the fire trucks sped by in front of us the sound of your horn abruptly cut-off. You were probably embarrassed. We drove forward and I sensed you speeding up – saw you change lanes and try to get beside me! You hover beside me, we’re like two bees matching speed while we fly down Richmond Street. My heart is racing! I’m angry that you are angry! I am tight and braced for a confrontation. You’re window is down and you are half out of it now – your hair twisting in the turbulence. Even over the noise I can read your lips “Sorry!” you’re yelling at me! You make me happy for days.