Bear on Wheels – the short story.
Maple Falls was used to seeing strange things, but Gary “Bear” Reynolds took the cake—or more accurately, devoured it, along with a side of double espresso macchiato. This morning was no different. Decked out in his signature workout shorts (so tight they left little to the imagination), his roller skates flashing beneath him, Gary rolled through town like he owned the place.
As he glided into Brews & Bruises, the tiny coffee shop where the town’s caffeine addicts gathered, Rachel, the owner, shook her head, a grin on her face. “You do know roller skating inside is a hazard, right?” she asked, handing over his usual.
“Darling, the only hazard here is running out of whipped cream,” Gary quipped, spinning once for dramatic effect. The spin wasn’t quite perfect—his belly gave an extra wobble as he corrected his balance—but he struck a pose like he was on center stage anyway. “Grace under pressure,” he said, taking a long, satisfied sip.
The door chimed again, and in bounded Chad, Gary’s overly energetic gym-bro neighbor, practically glowing with post-workout sweat. “Gary! CrossFit tonight?” Chad asked, already flexing his biceps like an eager puppy showing off its new trick.
Gary raised an eyebrow. “I told you, Chad, the only lifting I do is lifting spirits—and possibly cupcakes. Your CrossFit sounds like a crime against leisure.” He pointed at his skates. “This is my cardio. I’m a free spirit on wheels.”
Chad chuckled. “You’ll join me one day, Bear. Mark my words.” He patted Gary on the back—nearly sending him tumbling into a display of scones.
“Careful! I’m delicate!” Gary said, quickly regaining his balance, though the truth was he was about as delicate as a rhinoceros on roller skates.
At that moment, Vivian “Glitter Bomb” LaRue, drag queen extraordinaire, sashayed in, her presence larger than life. “Boys, boys,” she said with a dramatic wave of her glittery hand. “Are we still pretending Gary’s going to CrossFit? Darling, we both know the only thing you lift is your ego, and I applaud it.”
Gary winked. “Some of us are born with style, others with muscles. I can’t be both, now can I?”
The three of them laughed, knowing full well that Gary was never setting foot in a gym. His exercise regime consisted of roller skating laps around Maple Falls, causing havoc, and occasionally knocking over the odd mailbox.
As Gary rolled out of the coffee shop, he spotted Marge Dinkle, leader of the mall-walking brigade, glaring at him from across the street. She huffed every time he skated by. Gary winked at her and struck another pose.
“Give it up, Marge,” he called out. “You’ll never catch me on foot.”
With a smirk, he pushed off, neon shorts and flashing wheels zipping down the street as he soared through another day, unapologetically fabulous.
Remember, sharing is caring, so be sure to share this post on your favorite social media platforms.
