Maple

3

The next day was incredibly bleak. The rain was on and off and the sky was an unforgiving grey. It reminded me of the occasional summer thunderstorm in the middle of the night. but this time I was alone. This time I had nobody to shelter me and keep me warm. I was completely on my own.

I ended up by the bus stop in the evening, soaking wet and looking up at the sky for a while. Not sure of my next step but just letting the rain fall on my face. It felt good for a bit until I started to feel as if I were drowning. Part of me was afraid that if I stood under the rain much longer, I'd fall apart.

Eventually, someone stood beside me with an umbrella and my skin could breathe again.

She didn't say a word to me. Maybe it would have been awkward and uncomfortable anyways. She was a short, middle-aged Hispanic woman with heavy bags under her eyes and an unkempt braid of dark hair.

We stayed there for a while. My concept of time has always been pretty off so I'm not sure how long the rain pummelled the wide black umbrella over us. I want to say fifteen minutes, but it may have only been five. Everything felt slower to me, I think that's what made my concept of time so different. Just another one of the things that kept me apart from everyone else.

Eventually, the bus pulled up, splashing dirty rain on her faded white sneakers. I scooted back a little, finding myself only partially underneath the umbrella. It didn't matter, I'd be back under that tumultuous sky in a moment anyways, I didn't have a single dime to pay for a bus pass. Even if I did, where would it take me? The sign was too confusing to read and all it said was 'route 40.' Without a word or even a glance, she folded her umbrella and stepped in.

I wish I could have said thank you.