The Heavy Metal Descent
The yellow excavator bucket dropped straight down onto the bicycle frame, sending the front wheel spinning as metal ground against the pavement.
Dust puffed up around the treads. The bucket pressed down again, flattening the basket and bending the handlebars into the asphalt.
A man in a grey t-shirt and plaid shorts rushed into the frame from the sidewalk. He dropped to his knees beside the ruined bicycle.
His hands hovered over the crushed spokes. He pulled his shirt collar toward his face and let out a loud, weeping cry.
Inside the cab, the excavator operator pulled back on the steering levers. He threw his head back, his mouth wide open in laughter.
The operator climbed down from the cab and walked over to the kneeling man. He placed a heavy hand on the man’s shoulder and pointed down the street.
The Walk Down The Pavement
Another man stepped into view, pushing a sleek black bicycle with orange accents. He walked with long, steady strides down the residential street.
He approached the excavator and stopped next to the operator and the kneeling man. He held out the handlebars of the new bicycle toward the man on the ground.
The kneeling man stood up slowly from the pavement. He reached out and grasped the hand of the excavator operator, pulling him into a tight embrace.
The third man rested a hand on their shoulders as they hugged. The three men stood together in the middle of the street next to the crushed remains.
The Final Ride
The man from the pavement mounted the new black bicycle. He gripped the handlebars and pushed off down the asphalt.
He pedaled forward with his bare feet on the pedals. His head was thrown back, and he laughed as he rode away down the street toward the evening sun.
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