Today it was 67 degrees, simply amazing for a January afternoon.  Clear skies, light breeze, I must run. 

My endorphins are soring and my step is light my spirits are high.  My head roams free with drifting thoughts of loved ones and my clean shiny ride I just detailed.

I come to an intersection from a residential community, not mine, one with beautiful new single family homes with brick fronts.  Children’s laughter behind me.  I begin to cross this four lane road. 

This car needs waxing.  It must spend its days sitting underneath a tree.  The hood is freckled with debrie…side shuffle to the right.  skip back, back, quickly…

Am I playing backwards hop scotch?”

Please don’t hit my legs is all I can think,  not my legs.

Back, skip, skip, back.  Staring at the hood of the car,  back back, avoiding that hood.  In the middle of the lane on a busy road. 

Will the driver ever notice me? 

Will I be hit by another speeding down the road?  200 yards I see a silver mini van coming my way… 100 yards.

The attacking vehicle stops.  Out of frustrations, I drop kick the hood of the car.  Black rubber trail is left.  I hope I left a dent.   Dark on contact, then lighter on the white paint as my heel dragged toward my body.  I look at my mark,   with wicked contentment, right in the middle of the Honda’s headlights.  It could have been my blood.

I stare at the driver that never gave me a cautionary glance when making that right on red. 

Mid thirties, brunette, plain looking.   Fear, regret, compassion, so many emotions were experienced.  I saw them all when I looked straight into her eyes.   Her hand over her heart, mouthing the words.  

“I’m so sorry”

 I left her as quickly as a came. 

I was not significant to watch for before, but now you see me running away….I’m running away…still able to run. Thank you.   I look over my shoulder.  She is in shock, car frozen in the middle of the road.  I run up the hill, you are still frozen.  I bet you see me now.  I’ll bet you will look for me now. I feel vindicated.  I’m pumping my arms faster as I race up this hill.

Vindication.  I make a left onto a bike path.  Slow down, you don’t see me now.  Breathe.  I slow down.  Oh my god.

My mind’s eye sees your face.  I immerse myself in the emotions you must have felt.

If I was not so quick and nimble you could have hit me.  I could have been a child.  You could have seriously injured me today.   I could have been a child.

You could have taken a life with your neglect.  I hope she realizes that.  I hope everyone that reads this realizes that.

Please don’t hit me. 

Please watch out for humans.