I saw the lone figure, huddled in the glass bus shelter, trying to stay out of the wind and driving rain.
Thirty five years old, single. After midnight on a Monday, a few drinks under my belt, I was headed home, looking forward to my nice warm bed, and I thought I might as well give this poor soul the heads up.
I rolled up slowly and lowered the passenger window on my Jeep. "Hello? I hate to tell you this, but the last bus was at Eleven. Won't be another until about Six AM."
The shadow moved, looking at a paper in the dim light. I heard a soft voice say, "It says Midnight here. I've been waiting for half an hour so I didn't miss it."
"You must have the Summer Schedule. Ended after Labor Day. Check the date."
After a moment, the slight figure came cloer to the window. He was male, early twenties, I figured, but not very manly, almost sheepish. "Is there any other way to get to the train from here?"
"It's about five miles. Long walk, or you can use my Cell to call a cab..."
He shook his head. "I can't afford that."
"Well, you're welcome to a lift. I'm going right by there."
"Really? That's so nice of you. Yes, please, I'll take it, just to get out of this rain!"
I unlocked the door. I don't usually pick up hitchers, especially out here so far from any businesses, but he seemed non-threatening enough.
He pulled back the hood from his wet head, and I was stunned by his smile, bright and white, standing out in the darkness. His eyebrows were shaped and tweased as so many young men do now, more feminine than manly for my liking, not that I have gay or bi tendancies, its just noticeable. His black hair was worn to his shoulders. Smooth features with high cheek bones. With a little makeup and the right outfit, this guy would have fooled Hugh Hefner.
"Thank you ever so much! I'm Ronnie, I don't know how I get myself into these things, but he seemed so nice at first, then, when he started... Oh, you don't want to hear any of this." He stuck his hand out and I shook it. It was limp.
"I'm Harry. Glad I could help. I hate to tell you this, though. If you were taking a train back to New York, you missed that, too. The next one is another hour."
"Oh Damn it! Well, at least I'll be dry in the Station."
That damned station. The area has gone down, especially after Labor Day. Someone like Ronnie would be targetted by any number of sleeze-bags, either trying to rob and mug him, or worse. They would see him there alone, and no one knew the schedules or police patrols better than the Skells.
"You may want to keep a low key at the Train, Ronnie, some of those guys can get pretty mean. And you won't be able to just walk away, like you did tonight.
Ronnie was eyeing me cautiously. "You mean, because of the way I am?"
I felt flush. "No, I mean, they're rough down there. I wouldn't want to spend any time there, either."
"And you definitely look like you can take care of yourself. I saw that the moment you pulled up. Okay, so what are my options?"
"There's a coffee shop. I can give you a few bucks so you can sit and have a cup of coffee and a Danish."
"That's very sweet of you, Harry." His hand patted mine on the gear shift between us. "I hate to be such a burden! Give me your address and I'll send you a check when I get home." He gave my hand another squeeze as he slowly drew it away.
Like I said, I'm straight, but Ronnie was more feminine than a lot of women I know. He was flirting with me, and I was both horrified and excited by it.
We rode in silence and then he said, "You know, if you're not in a rush to get home, maybe we can just sit someplace..., and talk?"