151 Prophet

He managed to simultaneously talk to everyone and no one at all. Sporting a black Kangol cap and dress clothes, the Prophet sat in the back of the 151 loudly proclaiming his views.

"Men marrying men," he started, "that just ain't right."

"Women marrying women..." he trailed off.

"How does that even work?"

No one on the bus, including the coterie of nurses fresh off their shift from NWM, attempted an explanation.

As he stood waiting for the 151 to squeal to a halt and the rear doors to whip open, he gave his final blessing.

"Sooner or later we all gonna leave this earth."

And sooner rather than later, he departed the 151.

L'autobus Vignettes

As I embarked on a post-work walk after a stressful day at the office my mind wandered as it tends to wander. Today it focused on buses and the things that change when you become an adult.

During the better half of junior high, I used to strategically select a seat on the bus. Conveniently for me, my bus crush's stop was a few after mine and the bus was reasonably full by the time she would board. I'd scan for that prime open seat. On those lucky days, I'd snag it then wait in hopes that we'd sit together for those few fleeting, bumpy minutes. Some days I'd sit on the aisle hopping she'd ask me if I minded if she sat next to me. Others, I'd sit by the window, so the open seat was clearly visible. Maybe we'd compare homework or discuss whether we wanted to wed on the beach or in the mountains. Sadly, she opted to sit with other friends and started dating a guy on another bus route. We never had the opportunity to firm up our matrimony plans.