After Dusk

Chapter Two

"Have a good night Ms. Beth!" I called back to one of my coworkers as I walked my way to the restaurant's back door. Ms. Beth looked up from the inventory clipboard that she was marking off, "You have a good evening as well El," she replied with a tired smile, "Is Leo or Matt picking you up?"

"No ma'am they're not. I rode my bike here, so I'm ok." I said with such pride. I was proud of my little bike of mine. It was the first real investment that I made since moving to Seattle. Leo and Matt were not as thrilled as I was when I brought up the idea of using a bike to get around until I could save up enough money to put a decent down payment on a car since I had to sell my old beat up car for the plane ticket to come out here. They tried to convince me that I can just borrow either of their cars if I wanted too, but I already feel that they have done enough for me by letting me move into their guest bedroom. I don't want to inconvenience them any more than I already had. So the first free weekend all three of us had together off, we took a trip to the local bike shop. Once we were there Matt somehow became just as excited as I was about buying a bike, much to Leo's horror. The whole time Matt and I were running around the whole store 'ooo'-ing and 'ahh'-ing at every shiny bike we saw, Leo looked like he was going to have a stroke. I don't know what scared him more, me getting a bike and riding around Seattle alone or Matt buying them both bikes and making them go on a bike ride together. After 2 hours in the store, I finally picked out a little blue retro cruiser bike that had a small light brown basket on the front. I had always wanted one all my life but could never find an excuse to buy one. And as soon as I saw it in the store, I knew it was as good as mine!

I was practically skipping my way to my bike as I let the restaurant door swing itself closed. I grabbed the bike lock that rested lazily against my bike and quickly unlocked it from one of the many pipes traveling up the side of the building and fasten the plain white helmet on the top of my head in record time. Tightening my dark navy backpack closer to my back, I straddled my bike and slowly pushed off the pavement gently pedaling out from behind the restaurant.

A small smile began to spread across my lips as the cool wind increased against my skin and through my hair as I rode down the street. My bike tires squeaked a bit as I turned the corner to a  street lined with variances shops and bars flashing different colored lights out their windows. It's hard to believe that I have been living here for almost a month now, I thought to myself while pedaling pass a busy bar with some random sports game playing on the multiple flat screen TVs inside. Fans of whatever team on the screen could be heard cussing and screaming profanity at the TVs,

"Guess it's not a good night for them," I chuckled to myself glancing in for a quick moment.

Suddenly a single cold drop of water landed on my cheek.

Just as the drop of water rolled down my cheek like a tear, without warning more drops steadily began to fall down all around me.

"Are you fucking kidding me!" I shrieked pedaling faster as the wetness covering my clothes began to spread.

I knew I should have looked at the weather before I left for work today! I furiously thought to myself, sounding like my own forgetful mother. Out the corner of my eye, I could briefly see people turn their heads in my direction as I passed by them in a hurry, They're probably thinking what dummy would live in this state and leave the house without an umbrella, I thought to myself while the rain dripped off from my chin.

I swiftly stood up from my seated position and began to pedal harder as the rain pounded loudly on the concrete around me. If didn't know better, I would swear the rain in Washington was the size of ice cubes.

The route that I would usually ride through with such ease, was now turned into a wet madness. "Come on, halfway there!" I tried to encourage my legs to pedal harder as the burning sensation slow crept through my thighs. A parking garage slowly came into view as I made a mad dash across a crosswalk with less than 5 seconds on its lit up sign. I quickly debated whether or not to fly into the parking garage and just wait for the rain to lighten up, hopefully stopping altogether, or just continue my wet voyage home. Hearing my soaking wet clothes squish as I moved was a loud reminder that I really didn't need to be completely drenched to the bone sitting in a probably very cold parking garage for god knows how long. The only thing that will accomplish is me probably getting a nasty cold.