"Run your race, like your life depends on it. Because it does." Chioma Onwudiwe
“I forgot mom”, Teon responded defensively. He was kicking his sneaker clad foot, against the living room rug. He had also lowered his head. Maybe if he feigned boredom and distraction, his mother would quickly let the whole thing go. After all, it was not that big of a deal.
“I am talking to you!” The boy's head snapped back up, when he heard the change in his mother’s tone. “That’s the third time, you’ve had that excuse, this week. Now I have Ms. Consik the teacher, on the phone. She tells me tomorrow is the last day, to get counted in the class excursion. Which also means, that if she does not get the signed parental consent form. You will not be going on the trip, with your class mates."
Teon looked doleful, as he thought about the mess, that he had allowed at this time. He had been distracted a lot, these past few weeks. Between his new bike and the new neighborhood kid, just two houses away. He had somewhat, recently been shirking his responsibilities. He rushed through his chores and homework, so he could ride his bike.
And then his new friend, had so many video games. Even more than he himself, who was always proud of his collection. The new boy had the advantage, of his father working for a very successful technology firm. Most of his sets, cost nothing. He had proudly explained, to a starry eyed Teon.
“You were supposed to have handed it in, last Friday.” His mother was still speaking. “I remember telling you, to put it in your bag. But you disobeyed me…. Again.”
“Mom, I can take it back now, before the teacher leaves the school.” The boy offered.
“No you cannot.” Came his mother’s reply. “She leaves in 30 minutes. And besides, the city bus, cannot get there in such a very short time. So once again and for the last time, I will tell you to put the signed forms inside your bag.” “I can ride my bike to school! I can take it to Ms. Consik, now.” Teon interjected, suddenly excited.
"I said no," the exhausted woman maintained. "You will have the final and last chance, to hand it in tomorrow. If not, then you will miss the trip. And then lose some points in your GPA, at the end of the term. For not participating, in the required educational excursion."
"Nooo...!" Wailed Teon. The thought was tragic to him, to say the least. His father had promised him a table tennis court, in the backyard. If his grades went up. "Well, that decision is final," quipped his mother. "You should have listened and obeyed the first time, or even the second...."
With that, she returned back to what she was doing. Before the school teacher's phone call, came through. Leaving Teon, to his self imposed distress. Her son it seemed to her, had not been pulling his weight lately. He hardly did what he was told. And when he did, it was never as he was told. Teon appeared to be greatly distracted and it may have affected his school work in general.
Maybe the time had come, for she and her husband to have a talk with their only son. Maybe it was time to hold back some privileges and put down some new and necessary rules. Whatever the situation, a solution was desperately needed, at this time. She was deep in thought, even as she busied her hands
The boy leaned the bike, against the wall. He had just rolled it out, from the garage storage room. His father had packed it, in there. It was only to be taken out, during the weekend. And that with permission, from either or both parents. However, there was a lot at stake for the boy. He could not afford, to miss the school trip and hanging out with his friends.
Therefore, the sooner he got his paperwork, to his teacher. The better for him. In mounting haste and with little care, Teon shoved two sheets of paper into his backpack. Just a few minutes earlier, he had thrown the bag down from his bedroom window. It had landed without a sound, on the backyard lawn.
His mother was in the kitchen, which meant she was likely facing the front yard. He had decided, to ride to the school immediately. Three weeks of intense practice, had shown him all he really needed to know, about navigating the streets. Even his friend two houses away, thought he was pretty cool on wheels.
His parents still would not allow him, to venture into the main streets. But that was simply because, they had not yet seen how good he was. A quick run and he would be at the school compound, in no time. The teacher would have his paperwork, he would make the trip and everyone would be happy.
With the book back, safely strapped on his back. Teon checked, that his helmet was secure and comfortable. He would exit through the alleyway, accessible through the other side of the house. Then ride back, to connect to the main street. That way, his mother would have nothing to worry about. The street was not as busy, as he feared it would be. Which was a good thing. Because sometimes, the front wheel of the bike felt stiff. And he had to slow down, until it was spinning again.
Teon reached a familiar bend on the road, where the school bus often made a turn. He remembered it, because it was where the girl with the three bags, also got on. She always had her book bag, a lunch bag and another one. He always wanted to ask her, what was in the third bag. But he still had not gotten to it.
He suddenly heard some horn, blaring from his right side. It was so loud, louder than he had ever heard. So he made the sharp turn, as soon as he reached the bend. Teon knew that he could not just exit the street, right away. That was why he wanted, to complete the turn. But he was getting scared now and the noise was getting even louder.
Then he heard something else. A voice, a man's voice. The stranger sounded so close, what was he saying? Even worse, why was the turn taking so long? The boy thought frantically. Maybe he did not twist his hands, the right way. Or could it be? The front wheel was stuck again. It did that sometimes, when he slowed down his pedaling.
"Hurry up! Get out of the way!" The shouting, broke into his panic induced reverie. There were people screaming, from both sides of the street. "Get out! Leave the bike! Just jump....! He could not move. And it appeared, like his legs were stuck to the bike pedals. That was until he felt himself, rising into the air. It was either he had learned to fly, or was being lifted effortlessly. The latter, would be true.
He could feel the strong hands, holding him. And then he was placed on the ground. With a gentle but firm push, nudging him away from his bike. Teon seemingly regaining the use of his two legs, began to run. He had to get away, from it all. The noise, the atmospheric fear and that constantly blaring horn.
No sooner had he embarked on the freedom run, did he hear it. First it sounded like metal crunching on metal. Then came a loud cry of agony and pain. It was followed by a piercing and screeching halt, of rubber on concrete. The previous and variant collection of cries and instructions, had now settled into one unified gasp. Teon stopped short, on his heels. And then slowly turned his head, to see what was going on behind.
What he saw, almost stopped his heart. Causing him to be just as breathless, as the witnessing crowd. A man lay on the floor, in a pool of his own blood. Teon's bike was mangled and flung a few feet away. And a sixteen wheeler truck, stood right in the middle of the chaos. It's engine, still whirring. The approaching sound of sirens. Jostled the shocked boy, back into reality. And then promptly knocked him out, into unconsciousness.
Teon waved to his friend, from his bedroom window. That was all he could do, for now. He had been grounded, for three weeks. And there was still, one more to go. After school, he had to go straight home. There was no video games, no playing outside, no visiting and visitors. And definitely no bike rides. Besides, he still had no bike and might not, for a long while. But that was not, what haunted the boy.
He was very disturbed, by the image of the man, that rescued him. lying in the pool of his own blood. Dead to the world, that clamored around him.
Guilt engulfed Teon, as he tried to get his parents to tell him everything they knew, that happened that afternoon. Most especially, if his new found hero, was dead or alive. Someone was dead that day, because of his disobedience and stubbornness. An innocent man, who cared enough to intervene and save his life. Would never cross the street again, because of him.
Teon did not care, if he had to be grounded. For one more month or even the rest of his life. He felt bad, really bad and miserable. "Teon!" His mother was calling, from downstairs. "Yes mom," he answered sadly. While he closed his homework books and headed downstairs. Dinner was oddly early today, the boy thought, uncaring.
"You got a call," his mother started to say. As soon as Teon, reached the last landing on the stairs. She smiled, at her son's quizzical but disinterested expression. "The hospital just called. He is not dead, He is alive. Your Rescuer, lives!!"