CAT

I took the City Area Transit bus number 4 to school today. [It is part of my new plan to cause as little trouble for my family as possible while at the same time becoming more helpful in general when possible.] I am afraid of the City Bus. I am also afraid of the greenway trail between my house and Crabtree Valley Mall.

I began my journey at noon after looking all over the house for the fuzzy purple jacket which I never did find. On my way out of the neighborhood Gray drove past me in his truck. He called me to ask if I needed a ride but I declined his offer.

The small wooden bridge I took to get on the greenway trail was completely iced over. I crossed it by sliding down in my boat shoes while gripping the railing.

The bridge I had to cross under was as creepy as ever. When I reached it a man started walking toward me. (By this point I had warmed up and taken off my new green pea coat.) I slid my hand into my pocket and took out my knife. I flipped it open under my coat.

When the man drew closer I realized that he was probably 60 or 70 years old. I felt foolish standing there with my open pocket knife hidden under my coat. Oh well. The man went to Virginia Tech and his son went to Carolina.

I walked a little further and a woman power walked by me with her earbuds in. I am afraid of not being able to hear.

I arrived at the bus stop. I almost bought a diet Pepsi but the machine was broken.

There was a young Chinese couple and they looked adorable. After a little bit the him of the couple acted very sheepish and asked if I had an extra dollar. He’d lost his bus pass. I was so glad I could give him one because if the drink machine had worked I would have spent it and then I would not have been able to help. He seemed rather embarrassed. He’s a mechanical engineer major at State.

There was a Hispanic couple that could not speak English. They were lost but I couldn’t help them because they didn’t speak English or French. The bus driver got things straightened out and had someone translate for them where to go.

I arrived at school in time for my class. Perhaps if I do this enough times it will no longer frighten me.