Yes, it’s really okay to take the bike
Sunday night: Took out the garbage, took out the recycling, took out my daughter’s old pink daisy-bedecked bicycle with training wheels, left it beside the curb.
Monday night: Noticed that the bike was still there.
Tuesday night: Hmm…the bike’s still there – but that’s probably because I never bothered to put a “FREE!” sign on it (other things have fled from the front of the house in mere minutes when similarly labeled.)
Wednesday morning, on the way out the door: Damn, forgot to make a sign. But wait a minute – why don’t we see how long the bike will stay there without one?
…fast forward to…Saturday afternoon: Unbelievably, the bike is still there. But it’s 3:08 pm, and I’m just about to head outside with a sign.
I have two observations: 1. Damn – our local scavengers are really polite, since they’re waiting for an engraved invitation and all. 2. How much do you want to bet that the bike will be gone by the time I get back from the dirt track tonight?
So???
Nope – bike’s still there. I’m going to move it down to the corner for the rest of today, then stash it to drop it off at the cycling collective for a donation instead.
No need – just looked outside, as of 11:25 am, the bike now belongs to someone else…!