The Bus Stop

The little boy sat at the bus stop for what felt like an eternity. He was quite eager to see his mother. After years of endless unconditional love, she somehow made the next day better. Today, she told him about a special surprise after school. He had a few ideas of what it could be but couldn't possibly know. His mind raced at lightspeed: a Disneyland vacation, a new puppy, a trip to the moon?? The anticipation was almost unbearable. Finally, a bus drives towards the stop. His heart jumps with glee. And, just as quickly as his excitement skyrocketed, it sank when it passed by. It just wasn't his time to ride the bus and take on what he perceived to be the best moment of his life.

Seeing a young boy giddy with overflowing elation, the teen, struggling with stereotypical angst, reluctantly sat on the bench at the stop. He couldn't help but think how someone could be so excited, even more so by a bus ride. What were the teen's plans for the evening? Going home to nap and eat potato chips. At least, he would play the daily rounds of his favorite video game with his favorite friends. It's about the only thing that actually brought him joy. Even then, routine and mundanity were the cogs of his being, functioning just enough to make it to and from school. The teen was indifferent to the bus's arrival. It's not like he was on his way to anything meaningful. But he couldn't help but wonder what this boy could possibly be waiting for so impatiently. A new stuffed animal? He smiles a half-grin that immediately droops when he remembers a simpler time when that was enough.

A businessman approaches the bus stop and sees the two adolescents sitting on the bench. He chuckles as he spots the boy's obvious excitement and the teen's existential struggle. He'd been there before, both of those places. This makes him appreciate his world all that much more. He was content. The man runs a successful business and has a lively household with a beautiful family. The business side of his life had been especially long and grueling on this trip, but he was looking forward to the adventures he'd have with his picture-perfect family. Oddly, the man was thankful for his time at the bus stop. It gave him the chance to realize he is blessed to be right where he's at in life.

The boy, teen, and businessman board the bus.

An old man nearing the end of his days hobbles to the bus stop. It's abandoned, and he's all alone. He combs over the transport's schedule and notices just how many buses he missed. The old man knew about the little boy who would sit on this very bench and was eager to take on the next day; the teenager who sat next to the kid and wondered when life would get better; the businessman that cherished the riches of his life, standing on his own two feet at the bus stop. Oh, what he would give to be those people again! No longer had he a mother so loving, friends so present, and a family so lively. He drops down onto the sidewalk. The next bus was coming, and there was nothing he could do. He sobs in his hands as he thinks about who he is now.

The minimum word count for the site is 600 words but I am happy with the length and how it was written. I decided to write this section to meet the requirements. Thanks for reading and check out my other stories.