The Last Bus Stop

No one was at the bus stop when Becky got there. She looked at her watch. She was ten minutes early, so she settled down in one of the seats and took out her music player. She scrolled through the list and selected her favorite song.

Tears in Heaven.

The acoustic kicked in and Becky lost herself in the music. It really was her favorite song. She would often comment to her parents that when she died, she wanted them to play this song at her funeral, for which she would immediately be chided for. But the song really did mean a lot to her. It got her through most of high school, probably the worst years in her life. Looking back at them, Becky was surprised she hadn’t killed herself. She chuckled at that. Her friends had always told her she had a very weird sense of humor. But despite that, she was glad she was still able to make those friends.

It really was a chilly day. Even with her wool overcoat and mittens, she could feel the cold seep in, chilling her to the bones. She wished her brother Max was here. He could always lighten up the mood. Becky looked at her watch. It would be night where Max was, so he would be sleeping. The sun was just beginning to rise, breaking across the snow-covered landscape. It was one of the few reasons she didn’t regret getting up in the morning. The way it cast this golden sheen across everything it touched, it filled her with a warmth that helped stave off the cold.

Beck was so caught up in her own thoughts that she hadn’t noticed that the seat next to her was now occupied. A man, who seemed to be in his late forties, was sitting there, caught up in the view. He had long, wavy hair, that was speckled with grey, making him look older than he probably was, and he seemed to be relaxed, but there was a dangerous air about him. There was something about him that made you think that this was not someone to be messed with. But despite that, Becky didn’t feel scared of him. The man took out a cigarette and began to light it. Becky hated smoke and put out a hand to make the man stop.

“Could you not?”, she asked him. He looked surprised,but then laughed sheepishly. “Oh. Of course. I’m sorry”, he threw away the cigarette and put the lighter away.

The silence that followed was awkward as they both determinedly didn’t look at each other. Becky had to break the silence somehow. It was getting ridiculous. But it was the other man who broke it first.

” So how did you die?”, Becky looked at the man. He had his hands behind his head, staring up at the sky.

“Cancer. You?”

“Got shot on the job. Pretty shit way to go”, he chuckled. ” But there are worse ways I guess.”

“So you’re a police officer?”, Becky asked.

“I used to be. But then some stuff happened. I got kicked out of the force. I didn’t have any other talents so I became a private detective. Bit off a bit more than I could chew, and now I’m here. Victor Dubois, at your service.”, he extended his arm and Becky shook it.

“But what about you? What’s your story?”, Victor asked inquisitively, one eyebrow raised.

Becky looked down at her shoes She hated talking about it, but there wasn’t anything else to do until the bus came. Plus, she didn’t want to be rude to Victor, who seemed like a nice guy, despite the aura he exuded.

” I was diagnosed with blood cancer when I was 14. The doctor said I had about eight months to live. Managed to stretch it for another five years though. So I guess there’s that. Did most of the things I wanted to do in that time, so not many regrets.”

Victor laughed cynically,”Well there’s no way you wouldn’t have regrets if you knew what you wanted to do. I had no idea what I wanted to do when I was your age. 19 is a pretty young age to die, after all.”

Becky smiled sadly,” Yeah it is. But I came to terms with it pretty quickly. I was happy the way I lived. And there’s no point looking back at it now. What’s done is done. I had a good run while it lasted”

Victor looked at her impressed.” You must have had a hell of a life. I’m almost 50 and I’m filled with nothing but regrets. But you’re right about one thing. What’s done is done.”

They both fell silent.

“The bus should be here any minute. You ready to go?”, Victor looked at her.

“Readier than I’ll ever be.” Becky could hear the bus around the corner. She got up and stretched.

“It was nice meeting you.”

Victor nodded, ” Yes, you too. Who knows? Maybe we’ll meet again”

Becky chuckled,” Never pinned you as an optimist. Or have you forgotten? We’re already dead.”

“You don’t believe in reincarnation? Or heaven?”

“Not really. After I get on that bus, I honestly have no idea where I’ll end up.”

Victor smiled wistfully,” Well we’re past the point of me trying to convince you. But I wish nothing but the best for you.”

The bus came to a stop in front of them and the doors opened. There was no bus driver, but to Becky that hardly mattered. She and Victor got in and sat at separate seats, each lost in their own thoughts. The bus doors closed and the bus began to move.

Becky stared out the window, watching the landscape race by and soon fell asleep as the bus took her to a place that was near, yet far. Imaginable yet unfathomable. A place that was familiar in an unfamiliar way. A place of paradoxes. Call it what you will. It’s all the same.

All you have to do is wait for the bus that will take you there.

( The stories of Becky and Victor Dubois are now at an end. But the beginning is still a mystery. Only time will give you the answers you seek. )

#writing #death #ramblings #story #life #Literature #storytelling #Fiction