Once upon a time there lived a lady named Nicci. Nicci really wanted a bike so she could take leisurely rides when camping or take after dinner cruises to burn off any cookies consumed for dessert. She took her old bike out of the garage, and much to her chagrin, the bike was broken. Again. It needed new tubes, tires, gears, and a chain, just like it had two years before. Instead of spending the money to fix it, she thought she’d spend the same amount and just buy a new bike.

A month before her birthday, the lovely lady sent her mother and husband photos of possible bike ideas. This was one of the possibilities:

One week later, her mother owned a bike, and she still did not.

On the eve of her birthday, her husband slaved away building that bike you see above. It took him hours and hours, but he did it and was so excited to see her reaction when she woke up on her birthday and saw a bike.

Only … the bike didn’t fit. You see, Nicci is quite a short person, so just any bike won’t work for her.

Back to the store it went, and Nicci was ever so heartbroken.

That weekend, birthday money in hand, Nicci set out on a quest for a bike that would fit. The red bullseye called her. Beckoned her to use her newly aquired Red Card to save an additonal 5%. There were rows and rows of bikes.

The first bike she tried was too big. The second bike she tried was even bigger. The third bike she tried was too small.

Never one to give up on the first try, her wonderful husband suggested trying a different location, one far away. She agreed, then asked if they could stop at another location on the way. He agreed.

They arrived at the second location and was almost halted in their quest with the appearance of 50% off Reese’s peanut butter eggs. And then. She saw it.

The most glorious teal bike she had ever seen. The retro styling reminded her of the bike she had as a young child, the bike she will eventually pass on to her son. There was a rack on the back, for what purpose she didn’t know yet, but there was a rack! And fenders! And seven speeds (because 21 is just crazy)! The only thing now, was to see if it fit. After some brief adjusting of the seat and the handlebars, success was her’s!!

After a bit of joking from the cashier (and playing along because, well, who ISN’T excited about a new bike?? Especially the first new bike she’d ever had since she was in second grade!) That very afternoon, she and her husband went toodling around the neighborhood on their bikes. And it was the greatest afternoon, ever.

THE END!