Unsolicited

Luckily, I happen to live within walking distance of one of the longest paved bicycle trails in the country, which is roughly 34 miles long, plus many more miles in auxiliary trails.

Back in 2012, I picked up a “mountain bike” from Wal-Mart, determined to get back in shape after a nurse had asked me if the reason that I was depressed was because I was single, and then (without pausing for a response) if the reason that I was single was because I was chubby.

Within three months, I had completely worn down and destroyed that bike, and opted to upgrade to a higher-quality model from an actual bike store.

A few months ago, as I was riding up-hill in my thirtieth mile, a man coming up behind me called out, “Hey Trail Babe, if you got some real riding shoes, you would be a BEAST!”

I wanted to yell back that I already was a beast, or at least ask him if he would like to purchase said cycling shoes for me, but decided to expend my energy towards my breathing, instead.

As he rode by me, I recognized him as the very same nurse who had offered me his unsolicited opinions ten years ago.

A six sentence story.

Photo credits: Unsplash

Written for What Do You See #146: Write a story, poem, or caption inspired by the following image: