Searcher

The next morning I woke with a kink in my neck having spent the night on that concrete couch.

It was either that or sleep on the floor.  My gratitude toward that rock like structure, remains intact.

I had Chai tea with the family, explained I would be gone for the day to look for work. They smiled and nodded except for Mr. D...he just grunted.

I boarded the bus at 9AM to head toward the main drag of the city. There I'll start to look for work. Riding along, I watched the world slip by. The closer to the bus, the faster it sped. Farther away, I could watch at a slower place. The juxtaposition always fascinated me.

The gentle rocking and the rolling scenery, caused my eyes to close. Then, I drifted away. 

In a desperate attempt, to banish the images from my mind, I looked again through the big windows that every bus has. A person can almost see full circle. For someone like myself, that was paramount. I watched and waited until my heart settled. I sat stiffly while I waited until my mind eased from the terrifying, paralytic fright that comes over me. A couple bus loops should do it.

I was aware of a lot of fast food places along this strip.

I had no clue what I was doing, or what I should say.

Shaking off the last remnants of my nightmare, I came to the realization that I'm not as tough as I think I am.

It's unnerving when suddenly you realize you don't know as much as you think you do.

I was nervous about approaching strangers and going into strange places but, at least I was clean and had reasonably acceptable clothes on.

I decided to work my way up the main drag toward the bridge.

By the time I reached the bridge at the end of the day, I will be closer to a bus loop and return faster.

The first place I entered was a pizza place. Slightly shaky, I walked up to the counter.

"Excuse me, I was wondering if there's work?"

The girl behind the counter passed over an application and said, "Fill this out, I'll pass it onto the boss."

I carried on in this fashion stopping at places like;  Dairy Queen, Burger King, Wendy's, a Chinese food place and finally McDonald's not too far from the bridge.

My feet were tired and I was hungry. I opted for fries and a coke.

As I steered myself to a table, I bounced off this guys chest tossing my fries everywhere.

"Oh shit!" He exclaimed. "I'm really sorry! I wasn't paying attention. Can I get you another order of fries?"

I just stared at this dark haired, blue eyed guy around my age with a blank expression.  I snapped of it.

"Oh, yes please." I answered.

I sat down with my coke and waited. A few minutes later he returned with the promised fries.

"Sorry about that," he said, a friendly expression on his face,"I didn't see you there."

He introduced himself and I did the same.

"I live just over the bridge. Goin' to Bumpers after I eat. Ever been there?" B asked.

"What's a Bumpers?" Answering his question with a question.

"It's a club." He answered.

"Ah no, I think I've had my fill of clubs." I said. 

"It's not that kind of club," he said. "It's a club for teenagers. A place you can go to dance, shoot pool, play pinball games, or air hockey if you like that kind of thing." He explained. "No alcohol there as we're underage. But you can get a pop and a bite to eat."

"Sounds like fun." I said. "Maybe I'll come sometime."

"You should," he said, "You might like it. Tell you what. I'll give you my number, give me a shout if you'd like to go sometime. I'll even pick you up."

I offered a small smile and said, "Perhaps I will."

"Ok," he said. "Good to meet you. Take it easy."

"You too, bye." 

I watched him walk out the door, jump into a van and drive away. Then I made my way to the bus loop and boarded a bus. 

I gazed out the window as we drove along. Watching the sunset tease the horizon with golds, pinks, orange and finally red. Succumbing to the drop, the sun made one last blast of color shining under the clouds before the slipping to slumber.  It was tranquil...not a feeling I'm used to but, it brought me a smile just the same. 

I wish all days could give some peace. 

But I have no such illusions...only the surety of challenge....