This is a bike rack. Or rather, it was a bike rack before a reckless-driving teenage boy careened off the road and onto the sidewalk and ripped it out of the pavement. Said sidewalk was adjacent to a taco stand where my friends Betro and Aniela and I were just about to order lunch. There were several other customers there, and when we all heard the impact sounds of the car hitting the curb and screeching past way-too-close, well, let’s just say there were quite a few frazzled nerves.
Considering the bike rack flew about 30 feet and parts of the kid’s car were thrown in all directions, we were damned lucky. Not one of us was injured. And that very sidewalk – which had been full of people only moments before – was empty. Somehow, though I’m guessing not through skill, the kid managed to avoid hitting a light pole. In fact, he seemed okay, physically, as he was able to walk around and pick up various pieces of his car. He was clearly okay enough to leave the scene of what was technically a hit-and-run, as well as destruction of public property, because he then got in the damaged car and drove away.
I won’t go into other details, as the po-po may be calling and I’d prefer to let them take care of the situation. But I’ll tell you this – grace is a beautiful thing. And I’m mighty grateful yesterday wasn’t my time to go. Lots more living to do…