A Shiny Badge

I knelt down on the sidewalk curb beside a green bicycle leaning against the rack. A round red reflector had slipped loose from its bracket and tumbled right onto the curbstone. Picking up the smooth plastic disc with both plush white mittens, I gave it a gentle buff against my chest to clear the dust. Then, stretching up tall on my tiptoes, I carefully wedged the reflector's notch into the lower wire mesh of the bike's front basket until it settled firm and straight. Facing outward toward the street like a bright little medal, it gleamed in the midday light, ready to guide every cyclist safely down the block.