Page 12 of Crash and Burn

“Oh, you don’t even know. I know shit. I had my keys ready to do damage.”

He laughed again. “Ok, ok. I said, ‘I’m sorry.’ Seriously, though. Why are you out here?”

I sighed. “I’m waiting on my bus to take me home.”

He looked shocked. “Your bus? You ride the bus?”

“Yes! I ride the damn bus. Is something wrong with that? We can’t all have cars, Hudson.”

“No, no. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything. I just…is it safe?”

“It’s as safe as ever. I have great relationships with all the drivers, and they look out for me.”

“Wow. OK. Well…um…” He ran his hands through his hair and looked like he was struggling to find words.

“Well, what, Hudson? It’s fine. You can go now.”

“I’m sorry. I just meant...well…Ican take you home.”

I just stared at him, not sure what to do with that, because he seemed so unsure of himself. Plus, I was perfectly fine catching the bus. “Listen, Hudson. I’m fine riding the bus. I’ve been doing it for almost a year now. I haven’t had any troubles. You can honestly go home.”

“Amelia, I would like to take you home... Please. I can’t let you ride the bus home. I don’t care how many times you’ve done it. It’s dark, it’s cold and it’s late…. please.”

I let out a heavy breath and looked away, then fidgeted with my bag, deciding if I should. I took a chance. “Fine.Ifit means you willstopfreaking out.”

“Whoa. I’m not freaking out. I just…” he wasflustered.

“Ok, ok. Let’s go.”

He followed me to the car and reached around me to open the door. “So chivalrous.”

“Ok, relax. I’m not a dick …um…even though you wouldn’t know it based on my behavior.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything….” I sighed. “Thank you for opening the door for me.” He closed it and walked around to his side of the car, got in and pulled off.

“Where to?”

“You can stay straight until you get to sixteenth street, then hang a left.” He nodded and watched the road. “Can I turn the heat up?” I ask.

He nods again, never looking my way. He was so tense. “Can I turn on the radio?” He glanced at the radio and nodded again. I turn on the radio, but it was his phone, blue-toothed. It was a song I had never heard.

“Who is this?”

“Beta Radio. The song is called Sitting Room. It’s relaxing. I like to listen to it when I draw.”

“I like it.” I got lost in the song, just staring out the window. I thought about where I had been a year ago. I was so lost in in my memories, that I didn’t hear Hudson calling my name.

“Amelia. Hey. Amelia.”

“Oh…I’m so sorry.”

“Where’d you go?”

“Um…uh...nowhere. Just…nowhere.”

He looked like he wanted to pry but didn’t. “Where do I go from here to get to your house. I made the turn, now what?”

I realized we passed my apartment. “Shit, I’m sorry. We passed it. Just a couple houses back.” He made a K-turn in a lot, then pulled up to the front of my apartment.

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