The Big Wheel

Lani's Low Rider Days

Photo by Lani

The sun was out. The weather was cool. The street was closed off for the day for a block party on Jefferson avenue. I put on my red jacket and flipped my spiraled long hair back. I wore plaid pants and blue shoes as I walked down the stairs with my big wheel in hand. I dragged it down the stairs and it went, thump, thump, thump. "Where you going superstar?" Ask my cousin Wanda. I was going to ride my big wheel in the street and I was excited.

As I stood by the gate in front of my home, I saw the street filled with people. I got on my bike and rode past shiny afros with pics in their hair. Bell bottom pants and platform shoes all around. Muslims dressed in white gave out apples, milk and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Music played as I rode on and all I could do was smile and feel great. I was bad. I looked good. I was chilling on my big wheel and there was no turning back. Or was there?

Wanda and Evette were sitting on the stairs inside our home. "Woe, what's wrong Lani?" Asked Wanda as I ran inside with my big wheel. I ran in and sat between them on the steps almost hiding my face behind Evette's shoulder. "What happened?" Asked Evette as they laughed. "There was a boy and he scared me." "Why did he scare you? What did he do?"

I closed my eyes to try to forget it. But I could not get it out of my head. There was this boy on a big wheel and he looked scarey that I ran back home. His face was mean and he didn't smile. Don't know why he stood there on his bike looking at me. Maybe he wanted to play or was he planning on taking my bike? Whatever his intentsions, I bet all he could remember was the dust I left behind as I took off. All I could remember was that his face looked like a pit bull. Mean and ready to bite me. "Grrrrr.." But I loved that Big Wheel, as much as I loved my purple coat.

Stay tuned for the story of Lani's Purple Coat: The Bond.