“Can I sit there?” he motioned to the seat next to me. I was already taking up three seats at the back of the bus when I plopped down with my grocery bags. Nodding, I shifted my bag over.<\/p>\n
“I am glad I am not fat,” he said conversationally, a faint breath of alcohol. Or was it alcohol-laced cologne? He looked like a laborer. Probably going home from work. Service? Janitorial? That’s the type of people usually on the 49. He squeezed into the empty seat.<\/p>\n
I looked straight ahead and nodded, letting thoughts of cooking my chicken tortilla soup wash over me. Black beans. Chopped green chiles. Saute the garlic and onion first. Medium saucepan.<\/p>\n
“Are you from China?” he asked. I tensed. Despite growing up in a world lacking of racism, I had a habit of regarding the question…as an ignorant question especially when asked as introductory question. People around us gave a slight casual curious look.<\/p>\n
“No,” I said and continued looking straight ahead watching for my street. The bus filled up when we got to 16th and Mission, but despite that I didn’t shift over and still sat next to the man.<\/p>\n
“Korea? Japan?” he guessed.<\/p>\n
Feeling a little sympathy, I bluntly said in American English, “No, I am from here.”<\/p>\n
He looked at me and sensed my reluctance. “Are you from China?”<\/p>\n
I paused while the bus rumbled and then said without making eye contact, “No I am from here.”<\/p>\n
He laughed, “China eh? You’re Chinese!! Just trying to make conversation!”<\/p>\n
“American. I am American.”<\/p>\n
We were silent for a moments. Then he continued, “What’s your name?”<\/p>\n
Pausing for a moment, I decided that my name was common enough that I wasn’t losing anything. I gave it to him. Chuckling, he said and extended his hand, “Oh you probably didn’t give me your real name!!! Well, I am Walter!”<\/p>\n
I gave a light grasp almost just touching his fingers and shook his hand. Guilt washed over me for not being friendly. As the bus approached 23rd street, I pulled the cord. “Oh so this is where you live!!! Nice talking to you!”<\/p>\n
And then I walked out in the once warm now chilly summer night.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
“Can I sit there?” he motioned to the seat next to me. I was already taking up three seats at the back of the bus when I plopped down with my grocery bags. Nodding, I shifted my bag over. “I … Continue reading