I gave away my bike in 2012
My marriage was on the rocks
I had bad mental health
Most days I couldn’t look at myself
One day, I disappeared
From my marketing job
I posted the office keys
And walked
My phone rang for hours
I told people I was safe
But I didn’t want to talk
I propped myself up in a cafe
As I wondered what to do next
Crying into a muffin
I noticed the women’s centre
Was open for drop-in
There was nothing to lose
I wandered over to the building
The ladies put their arms around me
I relaxed for the time being
The following weeks, I returned
I started talking
It took a long time
But I eventually made friends
One day I saw a helper
Putting up posters
She told me a client
Had her bicycle stolen
I ran to my flat
And grabbed my bike
Although I’d miss it
Giving it away felt right
I cycled to the women’s centre
The helper was overjoyed
As I rode around the corner
I shouted “Oi, Oi, Oi”
I jumped from my bike
Like my legs were springs
I felt my chest rise
And my face was smiling
We spent the afternoon
Doing bunny hops and laughing
I pumped the tyres
And met the new owner
I looked behind me as I walked home
The helper and the new owner
Waved at me warmly
And rang the bell