Laughter From The Curb
A passenger in a bright yellow convertible leaned out over the door frame and tossed a handful of crumpled white paper straight at the elderly man’s chest. The paper bounced off his worn brown jacket and scattered across the sidewalk around his metal walker.
The two young men inside the open car grinned, pointed, and accelerated into city traffic. The man leaned heavily on his aluminum frame, his head bowed as he stared down at the mess strewn across his shoes and the black trash bag at his feet.
He placed one trembling hand against his face, his shoulders drooping toward the pavement.
Helmets Off
Three heavy motorcycles pulled up to the curb and idled. The riders killed their engines, swung their boots over their seats, and removed their black helmets.
The lead rider walked directly up to the man, crouching slightly to meet his eye line. He reached out and extended an open hand toward the walker.
Together, the riders carefully guided the older man into the attached sidecar of a black motorcycle. One biker fastened a fitted helmet securely onto the man’s head, clicking the strap firmly beneath his chin.
Another rider tied the man’s heavy black trash bag securely to the back rack of his cruiser with thick straps.
Catching Up At The Light
The motorcycle engines fired up in unison. They pulled out into the main lane, tracking the yellow convertible down the crowded city boulevard.
Two bikes pulled up on either side of the convertible at the next red signal, boxing the car in against the curb. The convertible’s driver glanced to his left and right, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.
The motorcycles escorted the vehicle back to the curb where the littering had occurred.
Cleaning The Sidewalk
The passenger in the red hoodie opened the passenger door of the convertible and stepped out onto the concrete. He kept his head lowered, avoiding direct eye contact with the circle of riders standing nearby.
The young man bent at the waist, reaching down to collect every crumpled sheet of paper scattered around the walkway. He gathered the trash in both hands, walked over to the black metal street bin, and dropped it inside.
He then turned toward the older man who stood beside his walker. The young man extended his right hand, and the elderly man took it, firmly shaking his hand while the riders stood watch beside their bikes.
Send this to someone who always stands up for others when nobody else will.