Home » Food & Drink » Gourmet Recipes » My First Bike...

My First Bike...

© Marna D.E. Gatlin

It was the year I turned nine. Nineteen Seventy-two. I wanted a bicycle in the worst way. My parents, who I thought were terribly over protective didn't think I should have one. They were afraid I'd hurt myself. Or worse, get hit by a car. Every other child in our neighborhood had one. I think kids in our area, got them when they were six or seven. But not me. I would pine for a bike.

The morning of my birthday, it was a rainy spring day. My father asked me to go with him to Sears, to buy a new dishwasher for my mother. So I said sure. I remember it being very quiet on the ride down to Sears. Dad didn't say much to me. No mention of my birthday at all.

We arrive at Sears, and head down stairs to the hardware an appliance department. We walk past the bike area. I of course drool. But I day nothing. It's an old argument. And one not worth getting yelled at over.

After a few moments, we buy the dishwasher. My father is not a person who fools around when making a purchase. He knows exactly what he wants, he marches in, he finds it, he asks the important questions, he buys it, and we leave. I take after my father in that respect. I hate shopping. My husband is mystified. Anyhow, the dishwasher is now purchased, and we are to drive the truck around to pick up the dishwasher at the pick up area.

As we are walking back through the appliance area, we walk through the bike area. My father asks me if I had looked at these bikes today. I am thinking, “Well duh you moron, of course I am, it's WHAT I WANT.But I said softly, No Dad, not really. Dad kind of smiles and says, Oh come on, which one do you really like? I am thinking he is the cruelest bastard in the world about now. I point the to aqua blue Schwinn Spyder, with the banana seat, and basket. It also has a bell, and tassels. I notice the price, it's 50 bucks. I know for sure, I'd never get that bike.

Dad says, Now which one do you like again?I looked at him, and gulp, The aqua blue one, with the banana seat, and basket. My father laughs and says, You take after me kiddo, you have champagne taste. Man that's an expensive bike kiddo. I nod sadly, knowing I am not going to get a bike. The salesman walks up and says, Can I help you today?” My father, being my father, swift, and to the point says, “Yes, this bike here, the Schwinn, with the banana seat, tassels, basket, you know the girls aqua marine? We’ll take it, oh and throw in a sissy bar, every girl needs a sissy bar” He turns to me, kind of hugs me, and says, “Happy Birthday” and we walk to the register.

The copyright of the article My First Bike... in Gourmet Recipes is owned by Marna Gatlin. Permission to republish My First Bike... in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.