These hands

These hands. These iPhone-clutching, untoughened hands repaired a bike.

These hands, fumbling in and around rusty spokes.

Turning. Twisting. 

Tugging. Tweezing.

This tongue, fumbling in and around what to call things. With every word pausing to see if the teacher can read my mind and start to utter it, so I may pretend that it was on the tip of my tongue. Here. This thing - that connects to the other thing - that’s below that part. You see? 

How fitting that I removed training wheels on my first repair; added reflectors; and fixed a kickstand. Full inspection. Applied grease to the components you can’t see.

These hands.