Getting Off (The Bus)

It was all there. Everything he'd seen the woman wearing when she got on the bus. All perfectly tailored to fit his own body. Plunging blouse, short denim shorts, even strappy heels.

Tim licked his lips experimentally. Lipstick.

Eyes wide, heart pounding, Tim jumped to his feet, only to stumble in his new footwear as the bus lurched.

"Charity?" the man Tim had been sitting next to said, worry in his voice, "What's going on?"

You tell me, Tim thought, grabbing hold tightly to the bar above his head to steady himself, feeling naked and exposed in front of the other riders. He looked down at the broad-shouldered man who was showing such concern. Something tweaked in Tim's heart as he looked at him, something unexpected.

It was like a warmth that was spreading from his chest, down into his stomach, and even lower into his groin. Objectively he could tell that the man was attractive. Tim had known that as soon as the man had gotten onto the bus. But this was something different. This was affection.

Tim felt affection for the man!

Quickly Tim reached ahead and hit the "request stop" button on the bar. Then, without thinking, he bent low, grabbed the purse that he had left on the seat, and made his way to stand next to the driver.

"Charity," the man had gotten to his feet and joined Tim at the front, "Talk to me, baby. What's up?"

"I..." Tim didn't know what to say. He didn't want to hurt the man's feelings, but he was utterly unprepared for what he was going through, "I just need to be alone for a little bit. I, uh, remembered something that I have to figure out."

"What are you talking about?" the man sounded upset, "We were going to see my sister! You said we could talk about the wedding with her!"

"Wedding?!" Tim's heart skipped a beat, although he wasn't entirely sure if it was because he was excited or terrified, "We have to put that off. I'll call you later. I promise."

The bus came to a stop and the door opened. Tim ventured a glance at the man standing behind him who looked heartbroken. Having never met the man before, Tim should have been able to shake off the feeling of responsibility. After all, there he was, standing on a public bus, wearing women's clothing! What he should have been concerned about was himself.

Instead, Tim's own heart ached as he looked at the man who Charity, the woman whose life Tim seemed to be stealing, seemed to have profound feelings for. Without thinking, Tim leaned in to the man, gave him a quick kiss on the lips, then said, "I promise I'll call you."

And then he got off the bus.

And then the bus drove away.

And then Tim realized what he had done.

"What the..." he said, bringing his well manicured fingernails up to his painted lips, still feeling the warmth of the man's lips on his own.

Turning on his heels, Tim began the long walk back to the East End Flea Market, hoping that he'd be able to find the old woman, hoping that he'd be able to fix whatever it was that she had done.