It was a warm winter day, sun blazing bright in the sky. The family rode their bikes down the trail in single file, following the rules posted. The dad went first because that’s what dads do. He was followed by the little boy and the mom was at the rear. The trail was long and winding, up hills and down. The dad breezed ahead but the mom stayed behind with the boy. The boy wasn’t very old, maybe five or six. The bike was probably a gift from Santa, shiny and new, training wheels on each side.
The dad seemed impatient but maybe he was just in a hurry. The mom called out, “Slow down, we can’t keep up.” The dad stopped and waited, seeming annoyed. Finally the mom and boy caught up and the dad took off again. He set the pace for the family because that’s what dads do. Boys learn from men and his boy was not going to be a spoiled Mama’s boy. He would be a strong man, his dad was sure of it.
The boy slowed to a stop, sobbing softly. The mom stopped beside him, their voices a low mumble. The mom called out again to the dad, “We can’t keep up, you’re going too fast.” The dad stopped, turned and rode back. He pulled up beside the boy and said, “Little man, you gotta get moving. We don’t have all day. So come on along and keep up.” The mom started to say something but the dad said, “Don’t baby him so much, he’ll be fine.” And again he took off, setting the pace, because that’s what dads do.
The big tunnel ahead was long and the boy seemed afraid. His tears started. “Mommy, I don’t want to go in that scary place. There might be monsters.” The mom called out to the dad. The dad came back again. “What is it now? It’s flat, you can do it.” The boy mumbled under his breath, “But it’s dark and scary. I’m scared.” The dad got off his bike and leaned down to encourage the boy because that’s what dads do. “I’ll be right there, you’ll be fine.” The boy still wasn’t sure. “Daddy, I don’t ride fast like you. The monsters can’t catch you but they might get me.” The dad seemed ready to brush away the boy’s fears but then he looked into the boy’s eyes. “You’re really afraid, aren’t you?” The boy hung his head and whispered, “Real afraid.”
The dad reached into his pocket and pulled out a length of rope. He was prepared because that’s what dads do. He tied one end of the rope to the front of the boy’s bike, then the other end to the back of his own bike. He leaned down beside the boy and said, “Don’t you worry, little man. You’re gonna be riding like the wind, just like your dad. Won’t be any monsters quick enough to catch us.” With that, the boy climbed on his bike and called out, “Come on, Dad. Let’s go!” And off they went, the dad in the front pulling the boy along with the mom following. Because that’s what dads do.