Tara raked manicured fingers through her long chestnut hair as she sat waiting inside the tiny bus depot. Tugging on the handle of the lone bag at her feet Tara glanced at the clock on the wall. “Where is that bus?” she wondered to herself. Tara looked out the window, wishing for her bus to appear, and noted how beautiful the November sky looked. The weather had been unusually warm for that time of year. Finally, after what seemed like forever a bus pulled into the parking lot.
“Please let that be mine.” Tara mumbled silently.
The bus driver poked his head in the door of the bus depot.
“Now boarding for Pittsburgh” he said loudly.
Tara gathered up her bag and made her way to the bus, and quickly found a window seat, kicking her bag underneath as she sat down. Tara stared out the window and became lost in thought. It was a short time later when she vaguely heard someone speaking to her.
“Is this seat taken?” a gentle voice asked.
“Miss, is this seat taken?” he asked again.
“No, no it isn’t” she answered him finally.
Wow, not bad looking for an old fart Tara thought to herself as he sat down next to her.
“My name is John” he said holding his hand out to her.
“I’m Tara” she answered back while grasping his hand shyly. Nice firm grip she thought to herself, and beautiful brown eyes. Tara noticed how his hair was neatly cut with just a touch of gray on his temples.
“Where are you headed?” John asked.
“Home to Mom and Dad” Tara replied. “College life just isn’t for me.” She continued.
“Do Mom and Dad know you quit school?” John asked with a chuckle.
“Not yet” Tara chuckled back. “May I ask how old you are?” John asked
“Sure, I’m 20” Tara said
“Well then, I wish you all the best” John said gently.
“Thank you, everything will work out” Tara replied.
An awkward silence suddenly fell over them, and Tara turned her attention back to the window. John took out a Walkman, and they both settled in for their trip. The engine of the bus roared to life and the wheels began to roll, carrying them out of the parking lot. Tara watched out the window as the bus made it’s way through town and to the highway. She noticed how beautiful the trees were with their golden leaves. With that thought, Tara closed her eyes and easily dozed off.
They had been on the road for a couple hours when Tara opened her eyes not believing what she was seeing. It was snowing, and not just light flurries, but heavy wet flakes that clung to the windshield wipers.