Bus stop

After a long drive in silence yesterday, I dreaded seeing Adonis at work. I wasn't sure why he was acting so childish. I huffed, I don't understand why he has to tease me and act so dramatic all the time. As I got ready, I wondered if I would have to take the bus to work. I hated feeling so insecure. I felt like I had a million unanswered questions. Suddenly my phone rang. I was going to have to leave a few minutes early if I wanted to get to work on time. I reached for it as it laid on my teal comforter. The call was from my mother. I sighed. I should probably answer it. As I lifted it, I looked at the time, if I wanted to make the bus I'd need to leave now.

"Mom, is everything okay? You're calling so early." I was worried. A while back she had a heart attack scare, it turned out to be indigestion but it made me appreciate her more. I have hated early morning phone calls since my dad passed away. He went missing for about two weeks and when they finally found him, it was early in the morning that we got the news. Hearing at thirteen that your dad could never again protect you was devastating. I don't remember the last thing I said to him but I know I anticipated him coming to an important school play. It was the first promise he ever broke and we knew, deep down, only death could stop him from going. My heart twinged a bit thinking back to that day.

"You there?" She said cheerfully.

"Uh yeah sorry, what was it you said?"

"I said I was calling to let you know that Tom and I are going to Hawaii! I'm so excited." She sounded so chipper.

"Isn't Hawaii like a honeymoon kind of thing? You just got back from traveling didn't you?"

"We are old and wrinkly, not dead, what do you expect? Sure it's nice to be married and it'd be better since Tom is quite old fashioned but we have time."

"Mom, I know you love each other, you wouldn't have introduce me otherwise. I just want you to know I support you. Daddy would want you happy. So tell me, what do you mean by old fashioned?" I asked feeling a bit weird encouraging my mom to marry. I did want her to be happy and marry again. I knew she dated casually when I was young but always sacrificed her happiness for my sake.

"I appreciate the support, baby," she started to giggle, "And I mean old fashioned as in, when we travel he still books two rooms."

"Wait do you mean to tell me, you two have never..?"

"No. He's quite religious. Though he doesn't force me to believe his faith, he does ask that I respect this belief. Honestly I think it's quite romantic. His first wife was his one and only. That's a little intimidating."

"Mom, I'm suddenly sorry I asked," I laughed. I was ready to head out the door finally. I felt a little disappointment as I left that Adonis wasn't outside waiting for me. I sighed audibly.

"What's on your mind, baby?" My mom could always read me too well.

"There's just a trouble some dog..." I trailed off. The words slipped out before realizing.

"Uh...a dog? When did you get a dog?."

"Dianna, are you ready? I want to get to the airport early," Tom's voice echoed over the phone. I remained quiet for a moment while their muffled voices conversed.

"Baby, I gotta go! Tell Adonis we say hi! Let him know about our trip too, Tom didn't have time to tell him." She hung up before I could protest. I rubbed my head, inviting more people

Into your life is so stressful. I groaned loudly. Luckily on my way to the bus I didn't have to pass Adonis.

Honestly, I didn't want him to see what I was reduced to. It wasn't going to be an easy walk either. Naturally I had to bring a duffle bag with me. It wasn't all that heavy because it had mostly extra clothes in it. My textbook for my fire investigator class. Ugh that test is going up soon. I totally forgot about it. I sighed. Stupid Adonis. My toe tapped a small pebble along the sidewalk and I began to kick it. As it rolled ahead of me I thought perhaps it was a piece of stray concrete. The sidewalks on this street were in dire need to be redone. Most of them were gravely and broken up as if someone had taken a jackhammer to it. Most houses were similar if not the same variation as mine. The only real difference was that everyone kept their yards pristine. I hated doing my lawn. It was always full of dead grass and weeds. On occasion the grass would get too long and a neighbors boy, Matt, two houses over would mow it for me. I always try to thank him but he insists it's not him doing it. I always see my grass is mowed after seeing Matt mow at his house. Now I've never been able to catch the kid but I still make sure to slip him some extra money when he does. At first he wouldn't take it and I'd find the money in envelopes in my mailbox with notes from him. We played that game for a while but he got tired of it. As I walked slowed down by the weight of the bag I listened for car passing and I reflected on the kindness of those around me. Finally I reached the bus stop. There were four others waiting including a woman with a young child. She appeared extremely pregnant. The child was whining softly wanting to be help. He had to be about two or three. The poor mother looked so rattled and clearly unable to hold the child as he probably weighed too much. Quietly I watched as others waiting became more and more irritated with the child's cries. I made eye contact with the mother. Her eyes looked pleading, as if to say, please don't judge me as a bad mother. My hear felt for her.

"Hey little man," I said soothingly, "My name is Aurora. What's yours?" I knelt down to be eye level with him. I wanted to distract him and let his mom regroup before taking him on the bus.

"Titan, I free," he said holding up three fingers proudly.