She waved goodbye.
Frank glanced in my direction.
I gave him a nod.
He returned it.
The doors folded shut.
This time, I watched the yellow bus leave without feeling frightened.
That afternoon, I arrived at the stop ten minutes ahead of schedule.
I paid attention to details I’d rarely considered before.
Vehicles parked along the street.
Houses with partially obstructed driveways.
Corners where someone might stand without being immediately visible.
But I also became aware of something reassuring.
I wasn’t the only person nearby.
Two neighbors chatted beside their mailboxes.
A woman walked past with her dog.
Another man carried his garbage bins back from the roadside.
Everyday people.
A familiar neighborhood.
Tuesday had reminded me that potential danger didn’t necessarily appear the way I’d imagined.
But it had also shown me that some people would protect a child even if their actions made others misunderstand them.
