Every day, especially on Tuesdays, when I take the bus home from work, to get ready for a new episode of NCIS, I see the same people. The first person that I see every day is the bus driver. His name is Frank. I say hi, and go sit down. The bus then continues down the route. Frank is about 55 working to make a good life for himself and his wife Judy. They have a daughter named Megan. She is in college trying to make a way for herself. They also have one son named Bill, who works for the government, and has two children. Frank loves his family especially his grandchildren and spoils them rotten.
At the first stop an African-American woman with a grey pant-suit, and long black coat gets on. She is very thin with her hair tied back. She sits down and I wonder what she does. Is she a mother? No. Is she a college student? Yes. She attends The College of St. Rose. I notice this because I see her put her ID away. Her name is Melani, and she is 23. She is in her third year of school studying Criminal Justice. She takes out a book and begins to read. At the next stop an older gentleman gets on the bus. He has black bushy hair that goes down to his shoulders. He has on a military-style jacket with a black shirt under it. He also has on sneakers, and faded blue jeans. His name is Peter, and he is 45. He is retired from the military. He works for the state now. He sits down and waits until his stop comes.
I hear the announcement for my stop, and I pull the bell. On my way out I say thank you to Frank, and that I hope he has a good evening. I walk home.
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I think it's interesting when you use a form of public transportation so regularly that certain faces become like good friends, even if you don't actually know them. You find yourself checking to see if they are there when you get on, or checking to see if they get at their stop.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me think ... those people have full lives just like you do. Even if you never saw them, they still exist. When you see someone for the first time - in a situation like this - there is the possability that you might never see them again, and yet they still exist ... out there in the world, even if you don't see them.
Weird. Neat. Cool! ;o)
I would also like to commend you on the fact that you say hello to your regular bus driver, and wish him a nice evening every time you ride. Good for you! Too many people leave out the niceities of life!!!
~Margaret