Dream State

Bending to remove the bicycle chain he flinched when sounds of a collision assaulted his ears, the blaring horn, the squeal of brakes and the inevitable crunch of metal on metal from the street beside the park. An errant squirrel had decided to make a dash towards the opposite side, being the catalyst for the accident that followed.

Straightening, he assessed the situation to see if help was needed. It appeared to be just a fender bender, a small two seater had plunged into the back of a Honda, acquiring much more damage than it had caused.

The sounds of the park, with happy children playing and the wind through the crisp autumn leaves quickly filled the quiet as traffic slowed to move around the damaged vehicles and he was just about to turn back to his bike when the driver of the Honda stepped from her car. A petite brunette she appeared shaken as she held her cellphone to her ear. He couldn’t hear her words but as he watched her gaze raked over him as she turned to look towards the other car. Shaking her head no as she held to the door jamb of her own vehicle, he was close enough to see that her large brown eyes held tears when she looked his way again.

They both started in surprise when the other driver shoved his door open with such force they could hear the hinges squeak in protest. He saw that the young woman seemed even closer to a break down and her hands trembled as she clutched the phone. They both watched as the large man, built like a bear or a short, powerful linebacker, rose from the low sports car with surprising speed, advancing towards the woman so swiftly she shied back from his assault.

“What the fuck is wrong with you? Are you fucking crazy? You bitch!” He screamed. “It was just a fucking squirrel for God’s sake!” Turning abruptly he paced a few steps back towards his car.

The woman’s eyes grew wide at his vicious attack. “I . . . I’m sorry,” she stammered in a shaky voice.

“Sorry? You’re sorry?” The man turned and marched back towards her, “Well listen Bitch; sorry isn’t going to pay for the damage to my car! You fucking ruined my car!”

The truth was, the man had ruined his own car, he’d obviously been following too closely or simply not paying attention, to have struck the woman’s vehicle with such force, but apparently truth had no impact on the angry man.

Turning the woman reached for something inside the car. Apparently the man thought she was trying to escape his attack and he reached out to grab her arm.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” He screamed, “I want some answers.”

“My . . . my insurance,” she stammered, pulling back from his touch. “I just want to get my insurance card.”

Wiping his hands he ignored his bike and walked through the park entrance to the accident scene. There were no clear thoughts in his mind, he had no plan, but he couldn’t just stand by and witness this jerk’s assault any longer. Shorter and stockier, the man was definitely a brute, not that he felt it would come to a physical confrontation, but he hoped his mere presence would lend support to the defenseless woman.

“Is there a problem here?” He asked. “Have the authorities been notified?”

“Stay out of this jerk,” the angry man said, spittle flying from his mouth. “It’s none of your business.”

“Actually, I witnessed the entire thing, so I should probably stick around,” the lie came easily from his lips. He’d more heard than seen the accident, but the other man didn’t know that. “Insurance companies like hearing from an impartial third party.”

“Who the fuck are you? Some damn lawyer or just an educated dick?”

Ignoring the sputtering man he turned his attention to the woman, “Are you okay?” He asked. “That was a pretty good bash.”

She nodded, grateful for his intervention, “I think so. And yes, I have called the police. They should be here any minute.” Glancing at the cellphone in her hand she added, “I was talking to my insurance agent but I guess I must’ve disconnected the call.”

“That’s good, at least they know you’ve had a fender bender,” he smiled and leaned against the hood of her car, as if he had nowhere else to be and nothing else to do. Staring at the other man, he smiled.

“How ’bout you? Have you called your insurance company yet?”

“Fuck, I don’t need this shit!” The angry man sputtered, moving back towards his own car. Turning to stare angrily back at them as he continued to mouth expletives.

“You’ll be sorry!” He yelled, “You’ll both be fucking sorry you crossed me!”

Thankfully a police cruiser pulled in behind him and his loud verbal assault stopped, the young man moved to turn away now that the authorities had arrived but the woman called out, “Please stay.” And he gladly turned back.

Neither heard the angry man’s whispered threat as he dug his driver’s license from his wallet, “You will both be sorry you ever crossed Adam Bohner.”

After giving their statements, explaining the other man’s over the top anger, the young police officer waited until the tow truck had taken both the man and his damaged vehicle away before he left. The sudden silence, broken only by the occasional passing car, was surprising and they felt awkward, two strangers who only moments before had been united in a common mission.

“I, I don’t know how I can ever thank you,” the young woman said. “He was totally intimidating; I thought he was going to hit me.”

Smiling the man held out his hand, “I’m glad I could assist. And I agree, I think that guy could really use some anger management classes!”

Grinning, he held out his hand, “I’m Riley, by the way, Riley Jenkins.”

Blushing lightly the woman shook his hand, “Oh, I’m such an idiot! I could have at least introduced myself, right? I’m Rene, Rene Fontaine. It’s so good to meet you. You’re my knight in shining armor, the way you came to my rescue. I wish there was some way I could repay you for your kindness.”

He chuckled. “Not necessary. Sometimes bullies like that just need a witness.”

At her nod he shuffled his feet awkwardly, “Well, I guess I should be going.” He glanced over at his bike, still locked securely to the bicycle rack. As he started to turn away he stopped suddenly.

“Of course, there is one thing you could do for me,” he said as he turned back to her with a smile. “I mean, if you want to show your gratitude.” He grinned, to show he was teasing, “I could really use a cup of coffee, maybe even some food since I haven’t had lunch yet. What do you say; will you have lunch with me?”