I missed the 8

I missed the 8 so got on the 9. Then, I understood numbers better than bus routes. Close numbers don’t go to almost the same place.

Travel

Travel broadened Kayn’s mind, mountains and oceans, tropics and poles, but he still missed the bus that night. Mabel did not wait.

Work of a moment on the crowded pavement. Bus arriving, tripping, flailing, bus arriving. Stop. “No, I don’t want a flyer, thanks.”

He saw a new star in the dawning sky so made a hurried, heartfelt, wish. It was a light reflected in the bus window. Nobody told him.

Upstairs on the bus a man is speaking on the phone.

– Hello? Yes. Something’s happened on the bus.

The person in the seat behind him looks up suddenly.

– Something’s happened on the bus.

More people look up. Glances and frowns are exchanged.

– Yes, something big. Something really big.

People sitting near him at the back of the bus begin to stand up and move purposefully towards the stairs.

– It’s really important.

People at the front of the bus hear the commotion and begin to stand up. They do not know why. There is no panic yet.

– I have to tell you now. Later will be too late.

Now everyone is on their feet and people are starting to push. At the bottom of the stairs someone stumbles and falls.

– I’ve realised I love you.

They kissed and he got off the bus. He stood in the rain and waved from under his umbrella. But, head down, she was texting him goodbye.

My dogs are barking! Bill pulled off his slip-on and rubbed his foot. His sock had a hole. The bus drove past. There’d be another.

On the nightbus Finn’s clothes marked him as a stranger, a dove among parakeets. Sal looked at him, twice. Then their eyes met.