The Last Stop

Prompt: Write a story about leaving something important on a bus or train

The Last Stop

Shelly was nervous. And hungry. She pushed her dirty hair out of her eyes and looked up. The bus was almost empty. Two old ladies sat in their usual seats behind the driver but Shelly knew they would get off together at the next stop. This was the third night in a row Shelly had ridden the bus and the routine was the same. After 6th Avenue nobody got on and after the next stop she would be alone.

Shelly looked back down, staring through her bangs at her filthy toe poking out of her left sneaker. She squirmed in her seat, adjusting the ragged poncho she was wearing. The brakes groaned as the driver once again brought the bus to a stop. Calling goodnight, the two old ladies stepped down to the sidewalk.

Shelly’s heart beat faster as the driver put the bus into gear and slowly started up the hill. Her fingers nervously picked at a hole in the dingy vinyl seat, pulling out bits of stuffing and dropping them at her feet. Her stomach grumbled.

“Last stop, honey,” the driver called. Shelly carefully pulled a small bundle from under her poncho. She looked down and the tiny baby opened its eyes and stared up at her. Shelly felt something warm run down her cheek and a fat tear landed on the baby’s forehead as she gently placed him on the seat next to her.

Shelly stood up and the poncho fell back into place. She made her way to the front as the bus slowed and then stopped. The door swung open and she started down. Halfway down the steps, Shelly hesitated. She turned and looked up at the driver for the last time. She thought he had kind eyes.

Word count: 293