Who We Are.

Dog & Bird Poop

I went slowly - closed my eyes and let the rain hit my dark brown skin. I felt like I was put in an oven then thrown out into the snow. I rocked against the grips and smiled at my reflection. I looked ahead and saw I was closer to home. I passed the church, a few people's home compounds, and then an apartment building. I stayed on track, but then remembered the store. I saw many people on the street this time of the day. People trying to get to the bus station to pick up their kid, kids trying to go home - all the same stuff. Then, I remember more than twenty dollars that I have in my bag. I pull over, gripping the brakes so hard that the palm of my hands began to turn very red. I slid the bag on to a clear spot on the concrete floor that was free of gum and spit. I dug around until I for the money and raise up my sweater to stuff the money into my jeans pocket. I struggled to put the backpack bag on because I had to lean over onto the ground to slide it straight onto my back. I walk my bike to the end of the street and make sure that no cars are coming then I hop on my bike and try to avoid and rocks or something that would make me fall. I went around a fire hydrant and see that the old run-down Walmart was coming into view. I sigh a breath of relief - from here on out, it was easy. I could see that on of my dad's old friends, was working at the gate so I knew this trip would be any easy on. I stopped again - feeling around in my bag pack for some plastic bags. At this Walmart, we don't have any carts so if you know you're going to be buying some stuff, you're going to have to bring your own. I kick the brakes on my bike and stand up. Once I find 4 Walmart plastic bags in my backpack, I cringle them up and stuff them into my pocket. After a few minutes of looking at my pocket and deciding whether or not it looked weird, I pulled them out from my pocket and threw them back into my school bag. After I kicked up the kickstand brake on my bike and knew for sure that I had the bags, I relaxed.

"Hey." said a faint voice. My eyelashes fluttered and the grip on my handles tightened. I felt my muscles tighten but I can't bring myself to stop and look around. I'm almost into the Walmart parking lot. I know this area like the back of my hand.

"Hey!" another voice went. This time, my eyes opened and I saw a lady walking with her brown large dog and another friend. The dog barks at me I shift my bike to avoid running over the dog's paw and the lady's foot. They both had long brown hair and were fair tan skin. I've never seen them in this neighborhood. "Move outta the way!" The one holding the leash flick her hand away from her and her friend. I quickly swivel onto the street and continue on my trip to the store. As I look back I can see them, I can see the friend stick up her middle finger and turn back to the lady with the leash - laughing. I don't think they were trying to be rude, I nearly ran them over without saying sorry.

"Sorry."

My voice came out in a whisper. Why was I so awkward? I turned back on my path. I continued on the street - the sidewalk was now too crowded with dog poop and birds, specially black birds,  to ride on. I continue of the road - not thinking it was a big deal since I was a minute from a the store. I take a left around a building and I can't see that a car is hiding behind the corner. One honk and then a long line of honks forces me to pay attention to the car but I should have realized it a minute earlier. I grasped for the brakes but not in time. I feel myself fly away from my bike, feet first. Everything happened so fast but then so slow. I feel my body hit something cold and hard, which I think is the hood of th car but I can't tell for sure. I slide off the front and land on my back.  I closed my eyes and prepare for the impact. I hear a scream. I wonder if it was from the driver or me. I think it came from me. I hit the small gray car head-on and felt like I had just snapped every bone in my body one by one. I was pressed up against the concrete ground under the weight of my bike - which now seemed like it got heavier. I felt glass. Had the windshield exploded? Can I stand up? Let's try. I moved away from the bike and felt sharp pain everywhere, especially in my head. It felt warm and wet - like all the warmth and goodness in my body was slowly oozing out from my brain. I manage to raise a hand to the mushy feel and see blood. The piece of glass in my side was digging into the floor, pushing it further into my waist. My face against the cold, wet concrete - fresh rain water getting into my mouth. I wondered if the driver would get out of the car and help me. Or just drive away. I don't feel anything. All the lights on the street turn out and it's pitch black. I feel a hand grasp for my head and I swat my only available bloody hand away from the stranger. My vision is slowly deteriorating. "Oh my god." I hear as a whisper but then I go towards the darkness.