A Winter Moment
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Took the bus the other day to the city for shopping, multiple traffic alerts so thought let them do the driving given the time of year. two women i know got on after me, good chat which passed the time.
On way back waiting for the bus saw one of them coming back with shopping... late 40's, single, looks younger than she is dress and appearance wise, she sat beside me and was chatting away.
I feel her change, her body language changes and it was so sudden that it causes me to pay attention, she is tracking something with her eyes near the door.
She is positively vibrating compared to how she was a few moments before.
A man sits opposite me, putting his bags down opposite ours
The change in her was before he had properly got in or sat down, within couple of feet of appearing in doorway.
He is mid to late 50's by my guess, looks fit slim, in shorts and jacket top (its cold), well groomed with tanned legs and face, carrying travel bags and a suitcase.
As soon as he sat down without missing a beat, calmly as anything she asks him where he has just been? pointing to his legs, shorts and obvious tan which is out of place here at the moment.
he says where and says he's been there for a couple of months hence the tan, just travelling back now from airport.
I sat back and watched the conversation happening, he hasnt twigged what is going on, my gut feel, his head was not in it but he was responding and opening up. Watching her side on is akin to watching a metronome as she leans in and out during the interaction
She is driving the conversation yet letting him talk.
She found out where he lives, how old he is, he is semi-retired, his previous occupation, he is a widower who lives alone, has children nearby grown up. Travels a reasonable amount mainly solo, various food choices, places he wants to go etc prodded him a bit, gently made fun, tested in various ways.
The conversation went from when he sat down to the moment she stood up to leave, no pauses, no gaps, no awkward bits. It was flowing well between them, he was very much an active participant no matter where his head was, he was buying.
Her stop comes up she gets up to leave, stops in front of him fully facing him, says she is glad he enjoyed his trip, wishes him a happy xmas and then says 'hope to see you again' slowly, pauses and leaves..
he is sitting there looking somewhat puzzled and/or confused.
Once we start moving again, I say to him 'so, when was the last time you were propositioned on a bus?'
he responds without thinking 'many years ago <pause> propositioned?' then pauses thinking, looking at the door he says 'just now' and laughs.
He stated he assumed we were together and was confused when I did not get off with her given how close we were sitting. Then he shared one of those 'doh!' moments from his youth with me and that he would keep an eye out.
My stop came, I wished him a happy xmas and him me.
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