The Lilac Tunnel: My Journey with Samantha

After a quick chat with Hawkins, I head inside for dinner. I barely taste the food that Mrs. Hawkins sits in front of me. I’m too excited about my plans for after dinner. After Grandmary retires to the parlor, I grab Samantha’s hand and invite her outside. She follows me all the way across the yard, to what Hawkins calls the “carriage house.” I knock on the door of the shed and a moment later, Hawkins walks out, wheeling a bicycle. Samantha’s eyes grow wide. I tell her I can teach her how to ride. Samantha’s cheeks flush pink. She glances at the house where Grandmary is, but when she doesn’t appear, she nods and steps to the bike. Hawkins and I help her climb on, and she tucks her skirt beneath her leg, so it won’t get stuck in the chain.

Hawkins runs beside Samantha across the yard, letting her go when she seems to have enough speed to balance. She wobbles, steadies herself, and then crashes into the grass. She’s not hurt, but she’s discouraged. Her dress is stuck in the chain. Hawkins has to pull the chain back to release the torn, grease-streaked hem. Samantha looks defeated, but now I’m more determined than ever to teach her how to ride. I tell her she needs bloomers.

A few minutes later, Samantha steps out of the shed wearing my shirt and capris, and I follow behind wearing her dress and pinafore. We both giggle. She at the freedom of new pants, and me at the thought of even hopping on a bike wearing what I’m wearing now. No wonder girls in Samantha’s time didn’t ride bikes.

In the bloomers, Samantha clambers on the bicycle with new confidence. She makes a successful ride across the yard, and Hawkins helps her turn around to start back across. She’s smiling. She’s picking up speed when the back door of the house creaks open and Samantha’s grandmother sternly yells across the yard.

Samantha skids to an unladylike stop. She untangled her legs from the bicycle and brushes herself off, giving Grandmary a curtsy. The look on her face is so different than it was just a few moments ago. I speak up and say that it was my idea. Grandmary and Samantha have been so nice to me, so I wanted to give Samantha a gift in return. I know how much she wanted to learn to ride a bicycle. Samantha’s hand reaches for mine and gives my fingers a squeeze. Hawkins steps forward, too, and says that he’s heard a bicycle is a healthy form of exercise. Grandmary is quiet. I feel my heart beating in my ears with each passing second.

Finally, Grandmary says that this will be enough bicycle riding for one day. Samantha looks relieved. She expected a worse scolding. But then she surprises me by asking if maybe she can do more bicycle riding at Piney Point. I see that Samantha is sitting tall and looking straight into her grandmother’s eyes. She really wants this. I cross my fingers behind my back.

Grandmary thinks for a while. I see the cogs in her brain turning. Finally, she clears her throat and says there will be no more bicycle riding until Samantha gets a safer bicycle. One that’s designed for young ladies. And proper bloomers. Grandmary is going to buy Samantha a bicycle! She’s going to let her ride!