The man at Broadway

Three

Their feet plodding up the escalator, the higher they got the more their hearts raced. Hopeful, begging that he was there. They reached the top, walking forward, heads jolting to each direction surrounding them. Gales breath paced, Jane chewing on her straw as her fingers trembled.

Four minutes passed, all hope had by now obliterated. They sighed in unison, Jane still chattering her teeth against the straw. This couldn't be the end.

"Maybe he's.." Gale began, a lump rose in her throat. "Maybe he's dead." she choked, her eyes staring longingly into Janes, full of discomfort. Jane shook her head slightly, disbelief scarring her.

"He could be, you know." She croaked as they stood in the centre of Broadway. Gale struck her head towards Jane, as if she wanted her to deny it. Gales eyes widened, her pupils glistening with what deemed to be tears. "Come on." Jane breathed, grasping the side of her arm and tugging her towards the bus stop, almost reluctantly.

They awaited a bus, fiddling with their fingers as a wave of negative emotion fulfilled them. A 283 rolled into the station, the doors slamming open. They each reached into their pockets to retrieve their oyster, when Gale stopped.

"What if that's him." She pointed towards a man sweeping up outside, his head was uncovered and his attire fitted him loosely. "What if that's him without his hat on?"

Jane cocked her head, her eyes now noticing him. She abruptly shook her head. "He doesn't walk like that." She instructed, continuing to aboard the bus, when she froze.

Jane climbed of the bus, Gale following behind her as they came to a distance between what seemed to be skull hat guy. He arched his back, pushing strength into the utensil he used to clear the floor of dirt. He turned around, a familiar, long face gazing at them.

Their mouths dropped open. "It's him." Jane mumbled.

He walked towards them, maintaining his sweeping position. "Where you go?" he inquired. Jane had no words.

"Home!" Gale exclaimed, mimicking his tone of voice causing a small giggle from Jane. Skull hat guy walked away, their hearts felt to be tearing away as he left them. "You're our best friend!" Gale spoke again, laughing. He jolted his head. Jane felt shy, almost blushing as his bald head lay uncovered in the cold weather. Exposed. Naked.

"Best friend?" he repeated, his accent foundering with his words. The girls laughed, nodding their heads.

"Yeah!" They spoke, he faced them.

"Thank you." The words fell off his lips.