Connecting
I feel better about the world having ridden home on the bus yesterday in the rain.
Normally, I walk home from the chiropractor’s, a healthy half-hour uphill. But to my surprise, I felt a light rain slowly starting as I left the office. I quickly checked my phone and saw it was about to pour! I had come out without an umbrella.
I had seconds to decide: call a Lyft—too expensive—or dash across the avenue, slip under the bus shelter, wait for the #43 bus, and hope for the best! I chose the latter, crossing against the light as the rain picked up, and slipped under the corner of the shelter just as the sky opened.
A man and two ladies occupied the bench. A petite older lady and I stood flanking either end. In moments, three more young women twirled under the cover, lowering their umbrellas and backing neatly into place, lined up like peas in a pod, just far enough under the shelter to avoid the lashing rain, but still sufficiently separated from other occupants to be courteous. Very deftly done, as if choreographed! Experienced riders.
Fortunately, the bus arrived quickly. Unfortunately, it was packed. The bus driver called out, Move to the back! Move to the back! Folks obligingly pressed backward, and we all managed to cram in, the voice recording chanting, Step away from the door! Step away from the door! as the bus progressed down the avenue. The bus improbably managed to onboard additional passengers waiting at the next two stops with only a tad of grumbling from the back. At the next stop, some passengers exited, alleviating the crush.
Glancing around, the women smiled at each other, grateful to be making our way home through the storm. Various ladies helped older people (including me!) into available seats as they opened up. The kind and common experience of sisterhood, doing the best we can.
When the bus reached Kalorama Park, noticing the rain letting up, several of us jumped out, happy to walk the rest of the way in a light drizzle, calling over our shoulders to each other, Goodbye! Have a good evening!
So sweet. 🙂
Photo by Mathilde Langevin
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