I pulled up next to a car at a light on my way home from work. I was on my bike. My breath was floating through the air in big white tufts. I had only ridden a block and a half and my hands already hurt through my winter gloves with the aching of cold hands. My beard was frozen. The little crystals hanging from the hair formed from the moisture in my white breath being exhaled from my warm interior. It was just after six. I had my lights on so cars could see me without any problem and I was waiting to get going, mostly I was just trying not to freeze the little flesh on my back side I refer to as my ass.

In this delicate moment of not moving that happens every time I pull up to a red light. I happened to glance over at the white car waiting in the turning lane next to me. A slightly overweight lady was in the driver’s seat completely oblivious to me which is normal for automobilists in their coffins. But what I found disturbing was that she was wearing a short sleeved blouse. As I mentioned above, it was colder than hell outside.

I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. It may be safe to assume she hadn’t even been outside yet today. Her car may have been parked in her heated garage where she could have walked with ease to her car. Then she opened the door with her garage door opener and drove her car to where ever it was she was headed, parked in another heated area and walked to, work I suppose. Then to get home she reversed the whole process, ensuring that she need not feel the cold that was drifting around outside.

Then I saw her.

I was wearing my beany pulled down well over my forehead, just high enough so I could see. I had full thermal underwear tucked underneath my clothes, plus a wool sweater and coat over that. I was cold, but then again, I like to feel the cold, the hot, the spring air, the pollen as it floats around and makes me incapable of breathing, I like to feel life.

One more block directly west of where I saw the first woman, I rode into the turning lane to make a left turn. There was a white car in front of me. Once again the light was red, but when it turned green the woman pulled forward then turned completely around, while talking on her phone. She continued forward not once hesitating even though she was not looking in the right direction. I paused, a little confused and perplexed by the situation. She was turning left but not fast enough to make the corner. I stopped. Then just in time so as not to hit anything she turns back around and yanks hard on the steering wheel. The car careens, leaning heavily to the one side, but she makes the turn without any indication that anything was wrong.

I continued on my commute.

Peace.

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