Lyndsey stood astride his bike, fussing with his helmet, struggling to pull it tightly enough over his ears to withstand any future onslaughts from power company vehicles. The jingle of keys announced Peter’s arrival alongside the Lexus just behind him.
“Need a ride back?” Peter asked.
“No. That’s very generous of you but—”
Bobbi cut in over him, “Thank you. That’s very kind.”
Lyndsey twisted about and caught sight of Bobbi as she floated to a stop beside Peter, swinging her hips about, just enough to make her skirt swirl.
“Anyone wants a ride, I’ve got room on my handlebars,” Lyndsey called.
Polite twitters answered him. “I don’t need a ride,” Bobbi told Peter. “I plan to go home once more before I go. I want to make sure Emmy is all settled. I’ll walk back over to campus after that. I need the exercise.”
“Another time, maybe,” Peter said. “I plan to come around much more often now.”
“Really? Well, I’m sure we’ll see each other.”
“I’m sure. Well…nice meeting you, Bobbi.”
“Same meeting you Peter.”
“Yes…well…Next time. ‘Bye.”
“‘bye.”
Bobbi turned away without looking to Lyndsey. She strode down the sidewalk with a sashay step. Lyndsey mounted his bicycle and rolled into the street, his eyes on Bobbi as she rambled. He both heard and felt the departing rumble of the Lexus as it veered around him and rocketed out into the Court.
Lyndsey piloted the bicycle with leisurely rotations of the pedals followed by pauses, matching Bobbi’s speed as she made her way home. She turned her head towards him and smiled as he drifted alongside her.
“Enjoy lunch?” Lyndsey inquired.
“Very pleasant. I always enjoyed being with your family and your wife is an amazing hostess.”
“How did you find my brother-in-law?”
“He seems like a nice guy.”
“He…is a…somewhat nice person. We all have our quirks.”
“Not you, Lyn. You’re not quirky in any way.”
“Kind of you to say.”
Bobbi shook her head and stopped. Lyndsey screeched to a stop.
“I was being sarcastic,” Bobbi told him. “What are you trying to tell me about Peter?”
“I…you know…it’s just…you think you know a guy but there’s a lot more to him than you ever guessed. You think he’s a nice, quiet, boring…lawyer. He’d never…He’s too polite and principled. You’d just…you’d be surprised.”
Bobbi crossed her arms and rolled her head to the side. “Thanks for your concern. I’m sure I’ll be fine.” She waved to him as she resumed her journey home.
Lyndsey trailed behind her until she turned up towards her own unit. He sped up and made for the main road where traffic hummed and the Lexus made a broad u-turn, passing him on its way back into the Court. Lyndsey bit his lip and mumbled, “No, I won’t. It’s not my business.”
