Every day I make my way north on the Cross Island Parkway heading for the Throggs Necks Bridge and home to Westchester County. And every day I see this same fellow slowly pedaling his tired old bicycle. We are riding parallel to one another. He is on my right; further right and out of view is the Little Neck Bay. When the bay is in view, it is stunning.
His shock of silver hair is startling and, together with his tissue-white skin, it is obvious this fellow doesn’t get much sun. I had him pegged for an elitist-type, a retired executive who drinks very dry martinis and lathers himself in SPF 80.
This one particularly splendid day I found myself stuck in traffic; all arteries clogged with nothing getting through. I turned off the engine and relaxed.
At that very moment along came my pale horseman and as I glanced over, he waved and rang the bicycle’s bell. CHING!! I waved and he half-rode, half-walked his bike to my car. I rolled down the window and a very unlikely friendship blossomed.
This fellow was not at all what I imagined. He was a transplant from – of all places – Scotland by way of France! Said his name was Brian Duff-something (strong but utterly enchanting accent).
Did you know there’s one place in all of Scotland where palm trees grow? It’s true! My friend Brian Duff-something told me.
Now every day we wave “Bonjour” and I pray for another traffic jam.
NAR © 2023
250 Words
The Elephant's Trunk 
I wonder if he’s praying for another traffic jam too, because he’s wondering when you’re going to offer to rescue him from his ‘tired old bicycle’ and give him a lift. He sounds delightful in any case. Lovely story.
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Yes, Margaret, I’m certain he’s a charming rascal!
Lovely comment; thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
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Nicely done!
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Thanks, Chris! This was a fun one to write about. Glad you liked it!
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Had to squeeze in one more of your engaging stories before I take a little break. Palm trees in Scotland? 🤔
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So I’ve been told. Thank you, Michele!
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…by Mc Duff something 😁
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What a delightful glimpse into (another person’s world*)
*both you and Mr. Duff Something
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Thanks, Clark. I’ll gladly take that ‘delightful’!
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What a lovely story. Your pale horseman, I like that!
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Last minute thought on my part. Glad I thought of it. Thanks, Keith!
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I really enjoy getting to know your world through your stories, Nancy.
The geography, I mean!
This ‘Brian Duff-Something’ though…
The world is peppered with wandering Scots, and they all have a tale to tell.
I reckon Mr Duff-Something’s is an intriguing one! 😉
Good story!
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Love your comments, Jenne! ❤︎
I reckon you’d be correct about that Mr Duff-something 😉
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There are some very strange and unlikely characters in your world, Nancy.
Lucky for him he has that accent, because I’m sure he’s quite enchanted by your Green Eyes!
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You have no idea, CE!
Mr Duff-something. He’s not so bad either…..
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Adorable story, and yes, there are palm trees near Arran, but they’re not coconut palms.
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Thanks, sis❣️
If anyone would know, it’d be you! 🌴
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hope your prayer gets
answered 😉
a lovely tale 🤍
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That’s a lovely thought now, isn’t it?
Thanks for stopping by, Destiny, and sharing your comments.
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my pleasure 🙏🤍
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A nice story, and I can see this really happening. Palm trees in Scotland. I did see one in Ireland, but Scotland seems so cold!
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Thanks, D! That’s what I was told by a reliable Scot so I’m going by that. I was very surprised ! 🌴
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The warm gulf stream is such a big influence on the weather there. Areas farther north than us are warmer!
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Still, it must get a lot of double takes.
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Oh, I’m sure! Somewhere in my box of slides (remember those?) I have a photo of the Irish palm tree. I remember being quite surprised at the time.
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Yes! Our boxes of slides are on a shelf in the basement … right next to a box of VHS recordings, 8 tracks and a couple of wineskins! 😂
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And the cassettes, and the old reel-to-reels, and my outdated Swinger camera film. Now, if that one doesn’t date me…
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It’s shorter than your usual stories. Or perhaps you didn’t tell the whole story. hmmm.
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Interesting. The word counter said 250; maybe it’s my smooth storytelling skills that just made it flow! Hahaha!!
Thanks, Sighs!
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I think I was thinking about some of your other stories. Maybe…
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A heartwarming story
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Thank you, Sadje!
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You’re most welcome
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