Betty's Back

Betty disappeared from the bike rack in front of my office building in the South End last September. I felt as though it was my fault. I left Betty there with no lock and tempted the fates by asking myself, "who would steal such a crappy bike anyway?" Well, of course, someone did take Betty. I bought Betty at a yard sale in the New North End for $4. She was big and heavy and brown. Brown Betty. Her brakes were pretty bad, the back brake was useless and the front brake was a squealer. She was a vintage Free Spirit bike, not a beauty as young girl but quite a distinguished lady in her old age. I just needed her to get around town (work, City Market, T. Ruggs) and she pulled through for 2 summers. I figured I would get her a tune up at some point even though I didn't want to pay $50 bucks to fix up a four dollar bike. I never got the chance to give Betty her much needed tune up. This spring I decided I would splurge on a nice bike (and a lock!). A nice bike like the cute retro styled ones in front of the Ski Rack on Main Street. It would be pink, and cute, and NEW. I shop at thrift shops and yard sales so new things can be really exciting, too exciting. My decision was made, I would buy the new bike and put Betty behind me. Then, Burlington had the 10th rainiest May on record and I didn't buy the bike. I was waiting for nice weather. On June 1st I walked to work and it was bright and sunny. A perfect day to ride, if only I had a bike. I thought, "I'll go after work and get the new bike." No sooner did I think it than I looked up and there was Betty. Resting on her kickstand in front of Alley Cats bar. I thought, "It' can't be!" But it was. She was sitting there free as a bird, no lock in sight. It was nine o'clock in the morning and I wondered if Betty's thief was enjoying an early morning drink at the bar. I decided to go in and ask. The four men at the bar and the bartender tried to look non-plussed when I walked into the bar. I imagine they don't see many young professional women first thing in the morning. I asked if anyone owned the brown bike outside. No one fessed up, so I told them it was mine and it was stolen last year, if anyone asked about it, tell them the owner took it back! The oldest bar patron, a man with a full gray beard, shook a fist in the air and said, "Right on!" I rode Betty the block and a half to work. Whoever had her was a lot taller than me. The seat was jacked up and I had a hard time reaching the pedals. Betty is now enjoying a luxurious spa week at the Old Spokes Home on North Winooski Avenue. Since Betty came back, I feel she deserves the best. She's getting her brakes fixed and an overall tune up. She doesn't know it but she's also going to get a basket. She'll be happy and she'll never be left without a lock again.