Bus Ride

Most people would’ve wished they had remembered an umbrella, or at least held their arms over their heads in a vain attempt to keep themselves from getting drenched. But all Marcus cared about was when the bus arrived, so it didn’t matter how much water the sky dumped on him. Besides, nothing could make him feel worse than he already was.

Marcus almost blinked in surprise when he couldn’t feel raindrops anymore, but that’s when he noticed a blonde woman holding a yellow umbrella over his head.

“You know, it’s usually better to wait in the bus shelter,” she said, indicating her head toward the kiosk right next to Marcus.

He gave a small, sad smile and said, “Well, Emily, if it can’t stop the rain from pelting my face, then what difference does it make?”

“The difference is that you won’t be as soaked,” Emily laughed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you caught a cold from standing out here so long.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Marcus mumbled.

Marcus wasn’t looking at her now, but he could feel Emily burning a hole into his head. It was the same look she always gave when she suspected something was up, and she’d never stop staring until Marcus gave in and told her. It was just as annoying as it was when they first met all those years ago. He could never keep anything hidden from her if he tried; why did he think now would be any different?

“I just don’t wanna go home, that’s all,” he finally said, hoping that answer would satisfy her enough.

“Why?”

Marcus gritted his teeth for being so stupid. “It’s…my family.”

“I don’t understand,” Emily replied with a puzzled expression. “Everything’s great with your family, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, and that’s the problem,” Marcus mumbled.

Emily grabbed Marcus’s face and turned him toward her. “You’re gonna have to give me a better answer than that.”

“Look, it’s nothing serious.”

“I don’t care. Being in a relationship means being honest, and you’re gonna be honest with me right now.”

Marcus had to admit: he loved it when Emily took charge like this. Her confidence was both exciting and inspiring, but he couldn’t even consider burdening her. Thankfully, from the sound of splashing water and ear-piercing brakes, it looked like he didn’t have to.

“I really am sorry, Em,” Marcus said. “But my bus is here; I gotta go.”

Wrenching himself free from Emily’s grasp, he quickly got onto the bus and sat by the window. But to his surprise, Emily stormed onto the bus after him and plopped down beside him.

“Em, what are you doing here? Your next bus is gonna be here soon.”

“I’m not leaving your side until you tell me what’s going on with you.”

“Em, come on,” Marcus said as he rubbed his hand over his face.

Expecting to hear another retort or more hounding, Marcus was surprised when he was instead met with silence. He dropped his hand off his face and looked at Emily. She was staring into him again, but this time, her eyes shook as they briefly darted around, as if examining Marcus deeply. But there was something else too. Not anger or frustration, but concern and sympathy.

“Alright, fine,” she said, finally turning away. “You don’t have to tell me now. But I hope you’ll say something, anything really, before we reach your stop. Just as long as you tell me…something.”

Marcus couldn’t say anything. He actually couldn’t. Every time he tried, the words just died in his mouth. Even the very thought of saying something dissipated in his brain before he could act on it. So all he could do instead was stare out the window, trying to lose himself in the mesmerizing blur of lights and passersby.

Even so, his thoughts still returned to Emily. The girl who dragged him onto the dance floor at prom when he was standing by himself, the girl who encouraged him to keep going when he didn’t believe in himself, the girl…who chose him.

Marcus sighed and said, “It’s not…that I don’t wanna tell you.” He slowly turned back to gaze into her caring eyes and continued, “It’s just…it doesn’t seem like a big deal.”

“Tell me anyway,” she said gently. “I’ll be the judge.”

“Well, I mean, we’ve already talked about it.”

“So, let’s talk about it again.”

Marcus gave a soft, defeated chuckle. “Okay, well…Walmart…hasn’t been treating me well. Shocker, I know. But those long, grueling hours are really getting to me. I bust my butt off every night for those idiots, and I have absolutely nothing to show for it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Em, look at me. I still live at home with my parents; I mean, how embarrassing is that? I go home every day, and they welcome me back like I’m some hero. But why? I’ve done nothing but occupy space and eat up their food.”

“Marcus, they’re your parents,” Emily said. “Of course they’re gonna take care of you.”

“Yeah, but you wanna know the worst part? I…I…” Marcus couldn’t even finish, as he started to choke while holding in sobs.

Emily cupped Marcus’s face in her hands, gently wiping away tears that dared to peek out from his eyes.

“Marcus, look at me. It’s okay that you haven’t gotten a ring yet. It’s okay that you still live at home. It’s all okay, and you wanna know why?”

Marcus shook his head, even though he most likely knew the answer.

“Because you keep trying,” Emily smiled. “I know how hard you work, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

“E…Em…” Marcus choked, smiling, but more tears started crawling out.

Emily wiped them away again and said, “Hey, it’s okay. Look, it’s okay if you feel this bad, but stay out of the rain.”

Marcus laughed again. He could still feel something heavy on his chest, yet at the same time, it felt lighter. He felt a sudden pull back to reality when the squealing brakes sang their song, and the bus lurched to a stop. The doors opened, and a few people stepped out into the downpour.

“I mean it,” Emily said. “Stay out of the rain; I can’t always chaperone you with my umbrella.”

“Alright, alright, I will,” Marcus laughed as he shoved past her.

But Marcus’s heart almost jumped out of his chest when he was yanked back over, and soft, cool lips brushed his cheek.

“I can’t believe you were about to leave without a kiss,” she whispered.

Marcus smiled widely, taking a moment to soak the feeling in before giving her a peck as well.

“Me neither,” he whispered back.

Finally free from her grip, Marcus got up and stood at the open doors for a second. Hyping himself up and even jumping a little, he sprang out of the bus and braved the storm.