At the Bus Stop

Sitting at the bus stop, I realized once again that I had not anticipated the expected weather change for La Jolla. Where the morning had been a pleasantly cool, if foggy, January morning, the afternoon temperatures were headed towards the 70's and above. Much too warm for the outfit I chose that day. A burgundy bodysuit and black jeans, along with my winter coat. It had been fairly cold when I went to work, but it certainly wasn't now. Fortunately, there was some shade under the bus stop where I could read without sweltering.

Someone said something. I look around and see a man wearing one of those safari hats. I immediately think Archaeologist, or maybe anthropologist. The black trench coat and cowboy boots only add to the impression. My next thought followed his question, "Is that a fantasy book?" Another white guy, hopefully giving all the signals one can politely give to leave one alone. I guess I need to work on those, he sits next to me. And starts talking about computers. My weakness as an aspiring geekette. I try to sink lower into the somewhat comfortable seats of the number 30 on the ten-minute ride to school. I let him do most of the talking, he's got an interesting face. Nicely trimmed beard, blue eyes, freckles. Jesus, what am I thinking? I have a boyfriend. The bus slows for the turn into the V.A. Hospital and I just wish this ride would be over. Why do I get all the crazy ones? I smell the antiseptic from one of the new passengers and again wish that this ride would come to its end. As we pull out of the hospital he pulls out his wallet again, one of those thin ones, just for holding cards. And he pulls out a business card. How pretentious. And writes his number and address on it in a flowing script. I pull the cord, hear the ding, and prepare to disembark. Great, this guy lives within a 2 minute walk from me in the same apartment complex. The doors swoosh open and I step off into bright sunlight and a cool breeze. Now it's time to run to class, or at least walk briskly. I stuff his card into my already cluttered and jumbled pack and wonder briefly if I'll ever find it again.

Last Modified: 10:04pm , October 29, 1996 Copyright Annette Holland 1996