I am riding my bicycle on the bike path as I normally do several times a week to stay in shape, that is, when I don't feel like jogging. Its a late summer day mid-morning, not too crowded just a few walkers, bike riders and joggers spaced about every five minutes as I ride.
Its one of those perfect days, quiet, only with the distant sounds of the birds chattering in the gently rustling trees and the babbling stream next to the trail. Most of the people on the trail I've seen many times and make a point to say hello as I pass. Everyone uses the trail young, old, birdwatchers, families, groups of teenagers, serious runners - a very diverse group who seem to enjoy being outside.
I must admit that every once in a while I can't help but notice an attractive lady. Hey, I'm a guy, so I can't help but let a teenie fantasy run through my mind and then keep going - I'm here for the exercise. Often times I wonder if some of the ladies don't have their own little fantasies.
Everything is relatively uneventful as I pedal, trying to take in the sounds and smells of the forest as I keep my legs in motion. Up ahead I see what looks to be someone sitting on a fallen log next to a bicycle laying on its side just off the pavement. As I get closer I notice its a person I've seen a number of times on the trail and have exchanged greetings.
As I pass I say my "Good Morning" and keep moving but glancingly notice that her bicycle has a bent rim and flat tire.
About 20 yards beyond her I debate whether I should stop to help her keep on going. I decide to stop and turn around pedaling back to her position sitting on the log. When I get to her I can't help but notice she scraped her knee as well.
I tell her that I saw that her bike had a flat and asked if there was anything I could do to help her.
She hesitates a brief moment and shyly says "I think I'm OK but somehow I need to get the bike back to my car and my wrist and knee really hurt. Nothing broken but its hard for me to push the bike."
I offer to help her take her bicycle back to her car. She thanks me and keeps apologizing for the inconvenience as I pick up her bike and start to push both of them back toward the parking area - about two miles away.
We start talking and she mentions that she has seen me a number of times on the trail and feels safe letting me help her.
"No problem", I tell her.
As we walk casually discussing the quiet scenery, I see that she has a fairly substantial diamond on her left ring finger.
My glance must have been noticeable because she comments - "I'm married but my husband doesn't like to be outdoors and we find ourselves pursing different interests."
I nod trying to remain a bit indifferent to her comment. To my surprise she keeps the conversation going about her husband and marriage. More than I need to know but it sounds like a familiar story.
Finally she pauses and asks "What about you, are you married"?
I tell her I was for a long time, but I am currently divorced and add that I know what she is talking about when couples seem to drift apart.
After walking about a half mile we finally realize we don't know each other's names and almost simultaneously extend our hands in a greeting, announcing our respective names. Both look each other in the eye and laugh at the fact we omitted our formal introduction earlier in the conversation. After touching her and looking into her eyes I can sense the wheels of her mind were beginning to turn - like a thought just unexpectedly came over her.
A long pause in the conversation and she blurts out "My husband and I have drifted so far apart we don't even do it anymore."
"Do what?" I ask.
She laughs "Come on you know."
"Oh, that." I respond with a nervous snicker.
"You know I see a lot of guys on the trail and often have fantasies about what it would be like to - you know."
I confide I often have the same thoughts and wonder if sometimes they are not mutual with the ladies.
"Are you kidding!?" she says loudly.