The Bicycle

By Liam Odynsky

I didn’t expect it to happen as it did, how would anyone? How could anyone expect what is not expectable? And what is less expectable than death.

It was a cold September afternoon, and I had just returned home from school, it had been a fairly day, I got my test back, and I got an A, which is always nice. I passed the nice man on the bike that I pass every day on the way to school, and waved to him as always, he was always such a nice man, he lived 3 houses down, Mr. Jascoe was his name. So overall I had a pretty good day. I was making a snack when the door rang, a simple grilled cheese sandwich and boiled water for tea.

I didn’t recognize the man at the door, but I did recognize his uniform, he was a police officer.

“Good Afternoon…Joseph is it?” Said the officer, checking his list of information.

“Good Afternoon…” I said with confusion, I know I should have been more polite, but his visit was such a surprise, I was still trying to figure out why there was a police officer on my doorstep. “What is it officer?”

“I think you’ll want to sit down before I tell you, may I come in?” The officer spoke with a calm voice, but his eyes betrayed him, they spoke were full of apology, and sadness.

“Alright… I had some tea brewing if you want some.” I said, still in shock that this policeman was in my house.

“Yes, that would be very nice.” He said, following me to the living room, leaving his shoes on, contrary to my family’s rules. But what could I do, I couldn’t tell him to take them off, I’ve never had a very commanding voice.

“Here, you make yourself comfortable, I’ll be right back with the tea.” I said politely as I left the room. When I got into the kitchen, I realise I left my grilled cheese sandwich on the stove, and it was very black on the bottom.  Why was this man there? Was it because of something I did? No… He wouldn’t be this polite to me if it was something I’d done… Maybe something one of my parents did? No, it couldn’t be, my mom was 2 months pregnant, she wouldn’t do anything crazy and risk hurting the baby, and my dad was a busy working businessman, with a strict moral code, and would never do anything illegal. So why was he here?

I returned to the living room with two cups of tea, I had thrown the grilled cheese out.

“So what is it you’re here for officer?” I said, handing him his cup.

“You may want to sit down.” He said, looking at his tea. And so I did, and for a couple seconds he said nothing at he sipped some tea from his cup.

“This is about your neighbour. Mr. Jascoe.” He spoke calmly, but he was really dreading saying what he was about to say.

“What about him? What did he do?” I never knew the man other than waving to him every day when he biked past. Did he have some criminal past? Or maybe he was missing?

“He was biking home from work today, and his bike was hit by a car.” The officer said, putting his teacup down on the table. “I’m so sorry”

“What!? Is he okay?!” I said in surprise.  I had never known the man well, but he was just such a nice man, and to think something would happen to him. I knew the answer even before I asked. The officer wouldn’t be here if he was okay.

“I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but he’s gone.” The officer said, with an expression of guilt. I wondered how he could survive a job like this, telling people their loved ones are gone for a living. How would you not cry in your sleep, knowing you were the one to break the news to so many people?

“Okay.” I tried to act calm, but I know that my face didn’t cover it up. Such a terrible thing happening to such a nice man, I never did get to know him, hardly even meet him. And to hear that he was killed. I would never again see him on the street, like every other day since I was old enough to go to school. He had always been there to prove that there was still light in the world with his smiling face when I had a bad day, and for him to be gone… I just couldn’t believe it. I wonder if he had a family, friends. I bet he did, and yet he still died so abruptly, one moment he’s waving to me, happily, and the next he’s gone, never to wave or smile again. It could happen to anyone, I guess, but it happened to him. Life is such a short thing, and could end at any moment… I wonder if he would have cared if it had been me. Probably, he had always been so nice.

“I should be going, I’m very sorry for your loss.” He said, getting up. I followed him, still in shock of the news, and held the door open for him as he left.