Grateful, wicker, bike, shorts, crab

The wicker basket on the bike front wobbled with every dip on the old asphalt trail. Two bottles of wine, two healthy danishes and a can of pre-made frosting was all Eleanor could fit in the flimsy thing. She was grateful the corner store had the wine. It would be a good companion to a spoon in the can of frosting.

Her shorts were tight and chafed her thighs at every pedal turn. She felt the chubbiness creeping back. “So what!”, Eleanor thought. “I haven’t seen anyone in this desolate town for weeks. The crabs on the beach would be better company anyway!” she growled to herself.

Peddling faster to escape the gathering wind, she turned the corner for home, well at least her temporary home. Since the shutdown of the resort town, she was alone in the rented cabin. As autumn approached, a lingering chill became inescapable. She wondered what she would do when snow fell and her rusty bike couldn’t make the trip to the store.