The bus slowly pulls up to the bus stop and adjusts into park. The doors shoot open and the bus driver stares back at me.
“Swipe your card please.”
The bus drivers words only partially jolt me from my daze. Robotically, my hand pulls out my bus card and swipes it on the credit card reeder. I take my first step down the aisle and raise my eyes to scan for an open seat. I see one at the back of the bus and make my way over to it. It’s an aisle seat next to a young woman. I slide into the seat and settle in. The young woman looks up at me with fire in her eyes.
“Can you sit somewhere else?”
Surprised by her statement, I stare back at her, both embarrassed and offended.
“This is the only open seat.” I wait for her response.
“Well I’ve had a really bad day so I don’t feel like sitting next to anyone.” Did she really just say that to me?
I can feel heat rising from my chest and kissing my neck.
“You’ve had a bad day? I just got done working an 18 hour shift and would really like to sit down a rest my feet.”
“Fine.” She turns her head back forward and drops it into her hands.
I watch her and realize for the first time that this young woman has obviously been crying. Tears continue to fall from her face and she swipes her finger across her check to quickly dry them. Maybe I judged her too quickly.
“Are you ok?” I wait for her response.
“No, I lost my best friend today.” More tears fall. I pause, not sure if I should pry.
“What happened?”
“She was in a car accident a few weeks ago. I really thought she would pull through.”
I realize that her friend has died and a rock builds in my stomach. I feel terrible that I snapped at her before.
“I’m so sorry.” She nods and continues to stare forward.
“I lost my sister three years ago.” She straightens when she hears me say this and I can tell she wants me to continue.
“She was sick for a long time, but it didn’t make it any easier losing her.” A tear falls down my face as I think of her. Neither of us talk for a while, both stuck in our own thoughts. She takes a deep breath and dries her tears once more.
“How did you get through it?” She is looking directly at me now, desperation in her eyes.
“I guess I never really did get through it. There are still times that I think of my sister and my heart aches. I go on dates and all I want to do after is call my sister and tell her about them. I don’t think that will ever completely go away, but as time goes on, it gets easier to also think of my sister and smile. I smile when I think about how funny she was or how much she loved animals. The good memories start to outshine the bad.” I’m not really sure if she is understanding what I am trying to say so I look up to meet her eyes. She stares back at me with her wet eyes. Her eyes are still sad, but I also see a hint of hope. The right corner of her mouth pulls up, showing a small smile.
The bus pulls to a stop as we arrive at my stop and I stand to leave. I look back at her one more time and give her an encouraging smile.
“It will get better.” She nods her head and smiles back at me.
“Thank you.”
Traveling through the night sky, it lets out a high pitch chirp. It’s large ears listen as sound waves reflect back and guide the creature to its pray. The creature’s black wings shine in the moonlight like a bottomless lake, swallowing the light. It’s eyes are open, but it sees nothing.
The doors open, revealing wide eyes as my friends and family gasp at the sight of me. Nervous to take my first step, I search for the eyes of the person whose opinion matters the most. Our eyes connect and I see a soft smile grow across his face. Warmth spreads throughout my chest and my feet begin to transport me across the room. It is as if there is a rope between us, slowly pulling me closer and closer.
I am standing directly in front of him now. Is that a tear in his eye? I take his hand and sparks of electricity shoots through the air around us. We hold each others attention, no one else matters. Tears are now falling down my face too and his large thumb slides across my cheek to dry them. At this moment, nothing else matters. The world could end today and I would be happy.
He smiles at me as he takes my other hand and looks deep into my soul.
“I can’t wait to spend forever with you,” he says.
My hear jumps out of my chest and melts in his hands. Forever is a long time and I wish it was longer.
The wood planks groan with each step as I make my way across the front porch. I halt on the first stair and watch as a cloud of perspiration builds with each breath. A cold breeze blows my soft blonde hair across my face, lightly kissing my icy cheeks. Peering out over the front yard, I shield my eyes as the sun deflects beams of light off the white blanket below. Taking my first step, I feel my feet take on a life of their own, going in opposite directions of my body. I quickly grab the banister and brace for my life as my feet continue to slide down the steps.
When I reach the bottom of the stairs I slide my foot across the pavement, feeling for solid ground to stand on. I find a dry piece of land and decide it is my best option. I push myself off the banister and settle into my new territory. Examining the winter wonderland around me, I lean forward and push my hand into the sparkling snow, leaving an imprint of my identity. I then scoop up a pile with my hands and watch as it turns to liquid, mesmerized by its fragility.
I slowly fall back, using the snow as a pillow and smile up at the soft flakes falling above me. I stick out my tongue, drinking in the sky and wish for a long winter. I don’t want this fairytale to end.
The soft sand hugs my sides as I listen to the waves and watch the colors of the sky change around me. As if exhausted from a full days work, the sun travels down, retreating from the ever darkening sky. Flames begin to build in its place, burning a trail across the horizon. I watch as the flames continue to grow bolder and brighter, a beautiful display of warmth and hope. Sadly, the beauty can only last so long. Dark waves crash through the sky, leaving black in their wake. Until tomorrow.
