Pedaling On

It was nights like these that were her favorite. Riding down the middle of the walkway, swerving ever so slightly right to left, snaking across the shimmering stone blocks beneath her. Not a care in the world. No one to run into. The path was her's and she was going to take as much advantage of it as she could.

The air was still thick with moisture from the rain that had fallen earlier in the night. As she rode along, she breathed in deeply, taking in as much of the rich ozone aroma that she could. It was a pleasant change from the smog that usually lingered between the buildings during the day. Spewed out form the thousands of cars that roamed the streets. It just hung there - clogging the streets. An unpleasant acrid scent that attacked the throat and blotted out the sun. Every time it rained, it was a salvation. The sky would just open up and wash away the filth. Knock it down to the ground, sweeping it along until being sucked into a storm drain. She was always surprised at how clean everything looked after a storm. Every surface glistened as if brand new. Littered with thousands of tiny droplets.

As she continued on, it was nice to let her mind wander a bit. Just float away from her body for a few moments. Not anywhere in particular, but just out, allowed to stretch and catch a breath. It was refreshing to not think for a moment. To just ride along, lost in the dull red glow of the lanterns stretching out before her. Listening to her tires thumping against the spaces between the blocks, the slight squeaking of rubber against wet stone. There was something surreal and serene about it. Just her senses at work. No thoughts or subconscious. Rolling along.

When she had first been assigned the late shift, she was dissappointed. Feared that she would be missing out on time with her family. Thinking about not making it home in time for dinner upset her. Missing the chance to hear about everyone's days, unwind in the company of others. It had been a routine she looked forward to the last few years. The first couple nights were the hardest. Dragging by. Her body wasn't used to the time change and she hadn't prepared. By the time she walked through her front door she wanted to collapse. But she knew she had to adjust for the sake of her family. To help put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. After a couple weeks, the shift didn't seem so brutal. Her biological clock had synced and she looked forward to the ride home every night. Especially after a storm.

Nearing the end of the path, the sky began to open up again. Spitting precipitation down onto her. Prompting her to pedal faster. It wouldn't be long before she was at her front door. Just a few more blocks and she'd be there.

The thought of kissing her children as they slept in their beds was all the motivation she needed to hurry up.