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Bike Ride to the Aggie by Lynne Dorfman

3/4/2016

10 Comments

 
It was such a beautiful September day, and I was tired of Saturday morning cartoons almost before I started watching them. My little sister was busy with her coloring book. I just needed to get out of the house. Mom was occupied for the third straight day with our sister Sandy. She had spiked a high fever the night before, and this morning Mom had worried that she was still a bit too warm. The medicine was not working yet.
I went out into the kitchen and suddenly, I had a plan!  After toasting four slices of bread and smearing them with butter, peanut butter, and jelly, I crushed some potato chips on top of the peanut butter to add a salty taste. Then I packed them in paper bags, grabbed two bottles of Cherry Coke, and motioned to my sister. “Let’s ride our bike to the Aggie,” I said in a whispery tone.


Diane and I pedaled hard to make the trip a little faster. After eight blocks, we arrived at the agricultural center. There was a pretty little pond with ducks swimming around, and I hadn’t forgotten the pieces of bread – end pieces – to break up and feed them.  We parked our bikes on their kick stands and sat on the grass to enjoy our paper bag picnic by the water.  After feeding the ducks, we chased after butterflies, tried to catch a few grasshoppers, and stretched out on the velvet grass to close our eyes and feel the sun’s warmth. 


Some neighborhood friends arrived, and we organized a game of kickball.  Suzy and Lois had jump ropes, so we sang, “Cinderella dressed in yella went downtown to kiss her fella” while we jump-jump-jumped. My little sister made ugly faces at us and occupied herself digging in the dirt with a stick she’d found. Finally, my friends left and we picked a lovely bouquet for Mom (dandelions and Queen Anne’s lace). The sun was getting lower in the sky. I scrunched up my face in a frown. What time was it?


We rode home, but we did it more slowly this time. Either we were tired or we already knew what was going to happen to us when we arrived. And yes, you probably already guessed. We were in BIG trouble!  Mom was hysterically crying. She had been calling all our friends and then the hospital and then the police. Dad was riding around in the car, looking for us. He had left an appointment in town to come home when my mother had called him in sobby tears. We were grounded for two weeks. No bike riding, no t.v., no radio. No phone calls from friends, no weekend birthday parties (I had to miss one), no sympathy from Grandma.  My mom didn’t mess around in the discipline department. Why I ever crossed her, I’ll never know.  Lesson learned: Don’t leave home without permission……Or at least, leave a note!

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10 Comments
Clare link
3/4/2016 04:46:00 am

Love this -- reminds me of my childhood and my current stage of parenting. I am right there with your mom. My family jokes that I go from late to dead in 30 seconds!! I say, "That's how much I love you!!" I know the same is true of your mom. Feels like you might have some children's books developing ....
Clare

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lynne dorfman link
3/4/2016 05:11:18 am

Thanks for commenting, Clare. I just finished reading your post, too. My dad was the complete opposite - left it all up to my mom. Thank goodness she took command - I don't know what mischief we would have found without the routines and boundaries she established and maintained. Today, I remember whisper my thanks into the universe!

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Adrienne
3/4/2016 06:02:19 am

I'm not sure where you gee up, but I pictured my hometown as I read this. Great slice.

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lynne dorfman link
3/4/2016 06:37:46 am

I grew up in a Philadelphia neighborhood - almost at the city's limit. Mt. Airy was teeming with kids!

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Tara link
3/4/2016 12:04:27 pm

Oh dear...the sweetness of the time you had together contrasted so well with the anxious reception you received. Great slice!

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PaulaBourque link
3/4/2016 01:52:03 pm

It's funny what 'slices' stay with us from our childhood. Sometimes I don't remember they exist until a smell, a photo, or even a blog like this jogs my memory. I can sympathize now with your mom, but I love your adventurous spirit! Love reading your slices!

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Rose
3/4/2016 01:58:32 pm

I love hearing this story. Seeing it in writing makes it extra special.

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Aileen Hower link
3/4/2016 03:44:33 pm

We used to ride out bikes into Tacony Creek Park. We could disappear for hours. However, when I read your piece, I actually gasped audibly. I was too scared of my mom to not tell her my plans. You can really tell how much your Mom cared for you! Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

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Shelly
3/4/2016 04:49:47 pm

Love going down memory lane with you about your childhood! Thanks for sharing!

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Donna Smith link
3/4/2016 07:56:22 pm

Oh, yes. Did that one time and one time only.

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    Lynne loves to write in the early morning hours, especially in warm weather when she can sit outside on the patio.  After a walk with her three Welsh Corgis, her mind is cleared and her spirit is inspired by the choir of birds in nearby bushes and trrees. 

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