riding the rapid

a man sleazes on a strange meek woman on the #9. "how old are you? ... wouldn'ta guessed that...you should wear a little makeup." his arm draped across the seat back behind her, the woman responds to his questions with vague answers and withdrawn silence. her eyes roam around the bus and out the window as she mouths words to herself, mouth gaping to reveal her crooked teeth. judging by the casts, braces and conversations, most of the people on this bus seem to be going to visit the doctor or pick up prescriptions. i just feel awkward, but also thankful for the way my life is turning out.

* * *

on my walk to the bus this morning, i heard a sound i haven't heard much since i was back home - classic rock. lola, in fact - the song about the transvestite. on the bus shortly after, there is an old man sitting toward the front with a brown wig plopped awkwardly on top of his gray hair. he turns, and i see that he is also wearing a bright palette of makeup. he smiles at the woman who just got on the bus, and proudly flashes his freshly painted nails. the irony of this commute just made my day. it was really surreal, made me wonder if i was really awake.