Inappropriate Timing

“Don’t give up,” the voice says.

Misty ignores it.

The city bus’s brakes screech as it approaches Howard and Maple. A man with a scraggily beard and no left shoe tries to get on, but does not have a pass. The bus continues on without the one-shoed man.

“Did you hear me?” the voice speaks up again. “Misty?”

“Yes! Yes, I heard you! Why do you only talk to me when I’m in public?” Misty says aloud in a harsh whisper. An old lady several seat down looks puzzlingly over at her. “Look! Now that woman is staring!”

“Fine! I’m sorry!”