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“How does Saturday sound?” Samira asked Langdon as he handed her the carafe of coffee in the break room. They were trying to plan the next item on the to-do list he had made her write for her “inner self glow-up” priorities: pedicures. There'd been a suspicious but not unwelcome lull in the ED around 2pm, so Samira and Langdon had taken the opportunity to take a much needed coffee break. Samira had the website open for the spa Frank had chosen (recommended to him by Becca) on her phone’s browser, looking at open appointment slots. Langdon hummed as he took a sip of lukewarm coffee.
“Can't do Saturday, I have the kids that weekend and I'm planning to teach Tanner how to ride a bike,” he replied after swallowing. Samira cocked her head. She tapped “next” on the website to reveal later weeks on their calendar.
“I wish my dad had taught me how to ride a bike,” Samira said. She paused, thumb hovering over her touchscreen, and realized she'd accidentally said that out loud.
“Did someone else teach you?” Frank asked.
“No,” came her sheepish reply. Frank furrowed his eyebrows, creating deep wrinkles across his forehead.
“No?” He said. Then Samira saw in real time as the realization hit him: his eyes widened, new, surprised wrinkles formed in place of the thoughtfully confused ones. His jaw dropped slightly before he could stop it.
“You don't know how to ride a bike?” He asked. Not unkindly, and Samira was grateful that he was at least trying to keep the incredulity out of his voice. She shook her head.
“Why not?” She shot him a look.
“Sorry,” he added quickly, clearing his throat.
“How come?” He asked as gently as possible. Samira shrugged.
“No one ever taught me, and by the time I realized I'd missed out on a key childhood event, I was 14 and figured I was too old. Didn't have anyone to teach me at that point anyway.” Frank nodded sympathetically. Then an idea hit him, and the impulse bypassed all the systems he'd tried to create with his therapist on thinking before he spoke or acted.
“I could teach you,” he said abruptly. Samira jolted, looked up into his eyes and stared, hard, to see if he was teasing her. Frank kept his gaze open and genuine.
“I have an extra, adult-sized helmet, and you can use my bike. The saddle height is adjustable,” he added. He hadn't thought this through before bringing it up but thankfully he'd always been a quick thinker.
“If you're worried, we can also get you some elbow pads just in case.”
Samira narrowed her eyes at him. He still wasn't teasing her, though. She might never have seen Frank Langdon so serious; except obviously when he had to give bad news to a patient or their family. But that was part of his job. Teaching her how to ride a bike and making sure she was completely comfortable doing so was definitely not.
Samira shook her head. Langdon’s shoulders fell in disappointment and he took a sip of coffee to hide his frown.
“I don't think I'll need the elbow pads, but thank you,” Samira said. Langdon looked at her over the rim of his comedically large mug and Samira had to suppress her laughter. The dogs scattered around the mug did not help.
“You're not allowed to make fun of me,” she started again. “And no one can ever know about this.” Langdon nodded solemnly. “But yes I would like to learn how to ride a bike.” She said the last part in one exhale and Frank wasn't sure if he heard her correctly. Once her response had fully settled in his brain, he smiled so wide his cheeks almost hurt.
“Deal. I'll text you my address,” he said. They had just enough time to finish their coffees before Dana's voice crackled over the PA system. Small explosion at the Pitt chemistry lab, five ambulances en route, all hands on deck.
***
Saturday came surprisingly fast, and Samira would be lying if she said she was not excited. She'd met Tanner once, at one of Robby’s summer barbecues before Langdon's divorce and rehab. Tanner had been very small at the time, though, so she wasn't sure if he would remember her. She had yet to meet Penny. Samira liked kids well enough-- not enough to have her own just yet at least, but that was also partly because of financial concerns due to her resident’s salary.
Samira arrived at Langdon's single-story bungalow at 8:57am, as they had agreed to meet at 9. She pulled up to the curb, turned off her car, and grabbed her tote bag before making her way up the path beside the driveway to the front door. There was a porch swing to Samira’s left, and various toys scattered near it: two baseball gloves (one adult-sized and one so small Samira almost started crying), a bright yellow wiffle ball, a small bucket of sidewalk chalk, and what looked like a giant version of Connect Four. Samira noted, too, the quiet street the house was on: a long, tree-lined lane that looked particularly perfect for learning how to ride a bike. The trees had just started to turn warm orange and yellow with the shift from summer to fall. Turning back to the door, Samira knocked gently before noticing the white doorbell set off slightly to the right of the doorframe. Too late, she thought. She didn't want to overdo it. And anyway, she heard the pitter-patter of small feet getting louder as they approached the door, followed by deeper, slower footsteps. The door swung open, thankfully inward, and revealed a very excited three year old. She was wearing pink leggings and a loose, grey sweatshirt with a wet spot down the front. Samira wondered if she'd spilled breakfast and Frank had tried to stop a stain before it started without having to change his daughter. He had mentioned offhandedly that Penny regularly fought him for control of her wardrobe. That morning, Penny’s light brown hair was in two messy pigtails.
“Hello!” She greeted loudly.
“Hi! You must be Penny?” Samira replied. The young girl nodded.
“Hey, Samira,” Frank said on an exhale from behind Penny. Samira smiled in response. From behind Frank, she could see Tanner, much bigger than she'd last seen him, still sitting at the kitchen table. His short legs swung contentedly as he finished his breakfast.
“Come on in,” Frank said. He hauled Penny up from under her armpits and swung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. She shrieked delightedly. Samira’s smile grew as she followed them both inside, taking her shoes off in the small entryway and putting her tote on top of them.
“Tanner, this is Samira. She's the friend from work I told you about the other day,” Frank said as he placed Penny back onto her booster seat across from her brother.
“Hi Samira,” Tanner greeted through a mouthful of raspberries.
“Dude,” Frank gave his son A Look like they'd talked about speaking with their mouths full before and even recently. Tanner didn't respond. Penny stood instead of sitting on her booster and watched Samira. The little girl’s head cocked to one side, hands on her hips, and her bright blue eyes were intense as they inspected the newcomer.
“You're learning how to ride a bike too today?” Tanner asked. This time he swallowed before speaking. Samira looked down at him and nodded.
“Yep, your dad is going to teach both of us today,” she responded.
“I'm not allowed yet,” Penny stated. “Papa says I'm too little even for a trike.”
“Surely they'd come up with tricycles small enough for little girls named Penny,” Samira replied. She knew to take children’s grievances as seriously as adult’s. Frank smiled at her. Penny huffed and sat down dramatically.
“You almost done, bud?” Frank asked Tanner. Not trying to rush him, but checking in to see how much longer the boy was going to take.
“Yeah,” Tanner said. He took a small plastic cup and lifted it with both hands to his mouth. Then he drank the rest of his water in one go, sighing loudly and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Let's go,” Tanner said once he caught his breath.
“Let’s put our shoes on first,” Frank said. Both children scurried from the table and sat down on the floor of the entryway, grabbing their respective shoes and shoving their feet inside. Tanner tied his laces and stood up. Penny put her shoes on, but paused.
“Samira, can you please help me?” She asked. It sounded like the R was hard for her to pronounce, so Samira’s name sounded more like Sameeda. “Papa showed me how the other day but I forgot.” The little girl seemed a little embarrassed.
“Of course!” Samira replied. She had only slipped off her sneakers when she'd come in, so she had been just as fast as Tanner in putting them back on. Frank sat on the entry bench tying his own shoes. He looked up at the sound of Penny’s voice but didn't intervene. Samira bent down in front of Penny and began tying her laces.
“Do you do double knots?” She asked. Penny thought for a second.
“Yes,” she replied. Samira finished Penny’s left shoe and tapped her right calf so she knew to bring that foot forward. When both shoes were tied Samira stood back up.
“There we go,” she said.
“Thank you,” Penny replied. Samira smiled again and told the little girl, “Anytime.”
“Everyone ready?” Frank asked. A chorus of “yes,” “yep,” and a very excited, “let's go!” answered him.
Frank opened the garage door with a clicker and Tanner ran to grab his bicycle (with training wheels, of course) and helmet. Frank lifted his own bike from the wall rack and wheeled it over to Samira. Then he handed her the extra helmet after making sure there were no cobwebs in it. She thanked him.
“Ready?” He asked her.
“I was born ready,” she replied, securing the helmet to her head.
“Except I'm pretty sure someone with the world’s biggest head last used this.” Samira unclipped the helmet and handed it to Frank to adjust.
“I don't have the biggest head in the world,” he grumbled. But he tightened the inner strap and put the helmet back onto Samira's head, clicking the buckle under her chin.
“Better?” He asked. Samira shook her head to test it, then nodded.
“Try the saddle,” Frank said, motioning for Samira to mount the bike. Samira lifted her right leg over the seat and immediately got stuck. She gave Frank A Look. He held back a chuckle as she not at all gracefully disentangled herself from the bicycle. Once Samira had dismounted and taken the handlebars from him, Frank lowered the seat smoothly and somehow perfectly on the first try. Samira resituated herself on the saddle, with one foot on its pedal and the other foot firmly on the driveway pavement.
“Penny, you’re with me. Tanner and Samira, please make your way down to the sidewalk,” Frank said. Penny took Frank’s hand and skipped, dragging him down the driveway while Tanner and Samira walked their bikes; Samira gave Tanner the full sidewalk and positioned herself next to him in the road.
“Okay buddy, you’re gonna mount your bike just like Samira did,” Frank started. “Hold onto the handlebars, and swing your left leg over the seat and to the other side.” Tanner tried and fumbled, then tried again.
“Oof,” he whispered as his ankle collided with the rear chainstay. Samira looked over to him in concern, but Tanner just tried again.
“Third time’s the charm, good job,” Frank said. Tanner looked very proud of himself. He stood with the bike between his legs, both feet firmly on the sidewalk as he waited for his dad’s next instruction.
“Now you want to ease back a little, so you’re sitting on the saddle, but keep one foot on the ground. The other foot will go on top of the pedal.” Penny whooped as Tanner assumed the position. Then Frank whispered to Penny, telling her to stay on the lawn, as he moved to stand behind Tanner.
“I’ll hold you upright until you tell me to let go,” Frank started, “and as I push gently you’re going to pedal. Sound good?” Tanner nodded as best he could with his helmet on.
“Don’t let go til I say,” Tanner said seriously and only slightly nervously.
“I won’t, Tanner. Promise,” Frank answered just as seriously. Then he turned to Samira.
“You stay here and watch for the first round,” he instructed.
“Yes sir,” Samira saluted him. Frank rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but laugh just a little.
“When I say go, put both feet on the pedals and push,” Frank told Tanner.
“Ready?” Tanner nodded again. Frank gripped both hands on the small space at the back of Tanner’s bike seat.
“Go!”
Frank gently guided Tanner in a straight line as the young boy pedaled awkwardly, gradually getting the hang of alternating his feet.
“Stop!” Tanner cried suddenly. Frank pulled him to a stop and held him upright again.
“Put one foot on the ground,” he said. Tanner did as he was told and Frank stepped in front of his son.
“How was that?” Frank asked.
“Scary but fun,” Tanner replied, slightly out of breath.
“Want to go back to Samira and watch her learn?”
“Yes please.” Tanner lifted his feet off the ground and the pedals and Frank pushed him back to the bottom of their driveway. Penny clapped as they got closer.
“Great job, Tanner,” Samira said. Tanner beamed. “I hope I’m as quick a learner as you are,” Samira added. That made Tanner look somehow even prouder of himself.
“Ready?” Frank asked her. Samira nodded.
“Do you want me to hold onto you like I did Tanner or do you just want verbal instructions?” Samira thought for a second. Then she looked down at the ground sheepishly.
“Hold on, please,” she whispered. Frank smiled.
“You got it,” he said, coming to stand behind her. His bike had a flat carrier seat attached to the rear fender— Frank bent slightly to grip it and gave Samira the same instructions he had just given Tanner.
“Ready?” he repeated.
“Yes,” she replied.
“Go.” Samira began pedaling, slower than Frank had ever seen an adult pedal, but she stayed straight and didn’t wobble. They went a few feet before either of them spoke.
“Want me to let go?” Frank asked.
“No,” Samira told him firmly. He nodded even though she couldn’t see him. Once they got two houses down from his, Frank guided Samira in a U-turn and they slowly but surely made their way back to the children. Penny and Tanner cheered and clapped as the grownups got closer.
“Squeeze the brake,” Frank instructed. Samira squeezed the lever and came to an abrupt stop. She would have fallen over if Frank hadn’t still been holding on.
“How was that?” Frank asked her just as he had Tanner. Samira beamed up at him.
“Scary but fun.”
He beamed back. Frank repeated the first lesson with both Samira and Tanner once more, this time teaching Tanner how to turn around too. Tanner requested that he try on his own for the third time and Frank watched anxiously as Tanner rode steadily three houses down and then turned around in a neighbor’s driveway. Penny, Samira, and Frank cheered for him the entire way back. Tanner’s cheeks were pink from exertion. He toppled off his bike and lay down in the lawn, helmet still secure on his head.
For Samira’s third turn, she insisted that Frank hold onto her again for a few pedals.
“I’m gonna let go now,” he told her as they passed the first house.
“No!” she squealed. But it was too late; Frank had let go of the carrier seat and stopped to watch as Samira kept pedaling.
“Stay upright!” he called after her.
“Aaah!” she replied. But she didn’t fall, and looked only slightly petrified as she turned around in the street.
“Go Meeda, go!” Penny cheered. Tanner lifted his head from where he lay to watch her approach. Frank jogged after her.
“Brake!” he yelled.
“I’m braking!” Samira called back, but forgot to steady the stop with one foot. She began to topple over right as Frank caught up, and he moved as quickly as possible once he realized what was happening.
“Steady,” he said as he caught her by the shoulders and pushed her upright. Her helmet was askew and she was slightly out of breath.
“You okay?” Frank asked, stepping away once she put both feet on the ground.
“I feel like I just performed a crike for the very first time,” Samira replied. That made Frank laugh.
They put their bikes away and continued playing in the yard: Samira and Penny played Connect Four (Penny won) and Frank and Tanner played catch. Then Samira and the children made chalk art in the driveway while Frank made snacks. By noon the kids were ready for a nap.
“Thank you for teaching me how to ride a bike,” Samira said as she put her shoes back on in the entryway. “I had a lot of fun.”
“Me too,” Frank smiled. “If you ever want to practice, you know where to find us,” he added. Samira returned his smile.
“Once I get my own bike we could make it a thing,” Samira said thoughtfully. Frank beamed.
“Tell Tanner and Penny I had a lot of fun with them,” said Samira as she stood and put her tote bag over her shoulder.
“I will,” Frank replied as he opened the door for her. “Let me know when you get home.”