by Belinda Jolly

Created on: September 17, 2009

The quiet, lazy, spring afternoon was interrupted by the return from school of Richie and Michelle, my two oldest children, ages 13 and 11. My day had been full with my three small ones, Jason aged 4 and my nine month old twins, Judy and Jeanine who were still in diapers and nursing. There was always plenty to do each day as I found myself washing five dozen cloth diapers every other day and making meals for my family, along with regular housecleaning chores. Still, there were those odd moments when I felt bored. This was one of those days.

They went out to play on the used 50cc minibike their dad had picked up from a flea market and as I sat with the front door open, listening to them, my boredom was completely forgotten.

"It's my turn! I am telling! Mom!" Michelle yelled.

"Let go! Jason wants to ride. It is his turn. You already had your turn!" Richie answered back.

"No! You know it's my turn. Stop! Give it back! Mom!

They seemed to be getting louder and I just knew the next door neighbors could hear them. I could imagine the neighbors waiting for the moment when one of them rode up their drive or onto their grass, so that they could come out with a broom or belt and chase them away. The twins were taking a late afternoon nap so I went out to see what all the fuss was about.

I looked at the minibike which was just short of two feet high, knee high to myself and I thought maybe I should take a ride so I could better understand what they actually were so excited about. Now, I was one to wait until I was twenty-four before I got my drivers license. I wasn't crazy about moving vehicles. I actually liked my feet planted firmly on the ground. I had felt a sense of doom when they started riding it, expecting the worst to happen.

"What are you doing? The babies are trying to sleep!", I said.

"He won't let me have a turn!" Michelle was quick to get it out.

"It's not her turn, it's Jason's turn, Mom!" Richie was still holding it for Jason who hadn't gotten on it yet. I couldn't understand for the life of me why there was so much interest in that thing. Jason barely fit on it, feet just touching the ground, and I worried that he could not keep it balanced, and/or, control the gears. Was it really that easy to ride? I wondered.

"I want to see what all the fuss is about." I said. "I want to ride it!"

"Be careful, Mom. The back brakes don't work. Here is the front brake, but don't put too much pressure on it or you will fly over the handlebars."

"Oh, I will be alright! I am just going

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