RubyMars:I get it. My brother is the same way. There are a lot of places to go that aren’t theme parks and touristtraps.
AHall80:You’reright.
AHall80:I need to go, but I’ll msgyousoon.
RubyMars:Okay.Besafe.
AHall80:You too.Bye,RC
* * *
April25,2009
AHall80:HeyRubes
RubyMars:Hey.
RubyMars:Everythinggood?
AHall80:For themostpart.
RubyMars:Badday?
AHall80:It hasn’t beenthebest.
RubyMars:I’msorry.
RubyMars:Anything Icando?
AHall80:Take my mindoffit?
RubyMars:Okay.
RubyMars:Let me think. Nothing stupid has happened to me lately, or anyoneIknow…
AHall80:You were going to tell me about how your mom taught you how to ride a bike a longtimeago.
RubyMars:I forgot about that! Okay. I’lltellyou.
RubyMars:It isn’t a longstory.
RubyMars:It’s kind of stupid, actually. I don’t know why I was even going to tell youaboutit.
AHall80:Tell meanyway
RubyMars:You’resure?
AHall80:Tellme.
RubyMars:Okay.
RubyMars:Remember how I told you she’s always talked a bunch of crap to us but won’t let other people do that? Keep thatinmind.
RubyMars:I was probably like 6 and my dad had been on my case about taking my training wheels off for a long time (they were still together back then.) But my dad has always been the softie of the two, and every time he failed with me learning, when the bike would tip over or if I’d crash into something, etc., he would drop it and put the wheels back on. No biggie,right?
RubyMars:My mom finally got tired of me not learning and came outside one day after I’d fallen while I was telling my dad I didn’t want to try again… pretty sure I was crying. Anywho, she comes up to us, points at me, and says “Get on the bike. I’m going to teach you since somebody can’t.” So I get on the bike, because by that age, I already know not to mess around with my mom. She holds the back of the seat while I get on and gives me some instructions… the same thing my dad would say every time. Balance, keep your hands on the handles, that type ofthing.
RubyMars:Before she starts walking the bike and me forward, she leans into my ear and says “If you don’t do this right the first time, Rubella, you’re on bathroom and kitchen cleanup for the next month, okay, honey? You can do it. I believeinyou.”
