Page 40 of Off the Wall

“Ha. No.”

“Come on, Nori. You can do this. I believe in you.”

She releases a long slow breath. “Fine.”

Together we wheel the bike out of storage, through the lobby, and onto the sidewalk. We stop at the corner of the building, and Nori throws a leg over to slide onto the seat. When she leans forward with her hands on the grips, her toes touch the ground.

Just barely, but still.

“I think the size works,” I say. Grabbing one side of the handlebar, I let my other hand hover over the small of Nori’s back. “Can I touch you?”

“Why?” Her lip trembles.

“To keep you and the bike steady while you test the pedal height.” When she nods, I reach over and wrap my arm around her body. My hand clasps her waist and she draws in a sharp breath. “I’ve got you,” I say. “You can lift your feet now.”

“Okay.” Nori’s Vans fly up, and I make sure she stays balanced.

“Now go ahead and pedal,” I say. “Just a few rotations to start, and I’ll move along with you. This isn’t even officially a test ride yet. Just a pedal thing.”

Nori pushes forward for several yards, going as slowly as a person can on a bike and remain upright. I jog alongside her, holding on, gently. When we reach the alley, she drops her Vans to the ground. Foot brakes.

“I did it!” She turns to face me, a slow grin stretching across her face.

I can’t help grinning at her too. “Of course you did.”

“I thought you were going to do the ‘surprise release’ thing,” she says. “You know, when a kid’s learning to ride a bike, and the adult starts running along beside them, but then they drift to the back and let go, while the poor clueless kid keeps riding along with no one holding on?”

I guffaw. “Well, you’re not a kid, and I’mdefinitelynot your dad. But I was never gonna let you fall.”

She meets my gaze, her eyes bright. She looks so vulnerable, my jaw aches. “Thank you,” she says.

“Welcome.” I clear my throat and take a step back to put some distance between us. I was enjoying our proximity a little too much. “Looks like you don’t need me for this after all.”

Nori shrugs. “I guess I don’t.”

“Ready to take a spin around the building?”

Instead of answering, she glances down the alley, her fingers clutching the grips. White knuckles on each side.

“Mountain bike tires are thick and slow,” I say, “and the roads here are flat, so you won’t pick up speed unless you want to.”

She lets out a small squawk. “I absolutely do not want to.”

“The brakes are here if you need them.” I point at the levers. “But since you won’t be going fast, you can always stop with your feet like you just did.”

“Little Red Riding Hood,” she blurts.

I blink. “Huh?”

“We should call her Little Red Riding Hood.”

At this, I huff out a laugh. “That’s not the manliest name for a bike.”

Nori nods. “I’m not a man.”

“True enough.” I flash her a smile, then glance down at the bike. “All right, Red. Time to show Nori what you’ve got.”

She leans over the frame, her bottom lip gathered in her teeth. When she pushes off, she wobbles for a second, but quickly finds her balance. I trot along behind her as she pedals down the alley. She’s only a few yards ahead, but she quickly gains on me.

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