The blue bike was sitting in Owen’s living . It had no kickstand, so he had wedged front tire in between two bookshelves so that bike would stand upright. Both tires were flat. covered the bike. However, no household spiders had up a "web site." When was the last I rode this thing, he wondered as he at it.

It was Sunday. Sunset was still two hours away. The temperature had been 86 noon, but had dropped to about 76. Owen spent Saturday and most of Sunday cleaning up apartment. The termite inspector was coming on Monday. wanted the inspector to be able to “inspect” tripping over boxes, books, fishing rods, and golf .

Owen was going to reward himself with a afternoon bicycle ride. He enjoyed riding or walking his neighborhood with its many beautiful houses, yards, trees. But first, he had to inflate both tires. He got out a hand air pump had bought at a thrift shop for only . The pump nozzle adapter didn’t fit onto the ’s valve stem. Nothing is ever simple, he thought.

looked for his new pump, the one that cost $10. It had all the bells and : high volume air flow on both up and strokes, quick lock valve adapter and four nozzle , air gauge, and footplate for easy pumping. It a beauty. Of course, Owen couldn’t find it. ’ve got everything, but I can’t find anything, Owen .

As usual, Owen did find one thing while was looking for another thing. He found another pump that he had been looking for a ago. It was a big, heavy, steel pump had an air gauge and a small leak . Owen connected the pump to the rear tire. started pumping. The “small” leak seemed to have bigger. Owen stopped counting after the first 80 ; finally the dial hit 65 psi. He was and puffing. He went to the refrigerator and a diet soda. After finishing it, he pumped the front tire. Sweat dripped from his forehead. was a good workout, he thought as he off a second soda. He screwed the valve caps back on. He stood back and admired “new” tires proudly.

The bike was now ready ride. Owen, however, felt a little tired. Plus, was hungry. In fact, it looked like it getting too dark for a long ride. There’s tomorrow, he thought as he opened the refrigerator . The chilled air felt good.