The Break-up

A mid-40s couple were standing behind me at the bus stop at the hub. They were both about 5'6" tall. She was attractive and nicely appointed, and he was wearing a new white hoodie and tan pants.They were breaking up, again? She carefully outlined every twisted thing he had done. He'd thrown bottles at her front door because she wouldn't let him in. He loved the bottle more than she. He'd stolen and lied again and again. He was often angry and unreasonable.

He softly begged her forgiveness and she wouldn't have it. He spoke so softly that I couldn't hear 95% of what he was saying. She could hear him. "What we might have had is done, completely done." She sounded as if she had viewed many an old movie. I also figured that she was now stage present like an understudy who had patiently waited her turn. She even wore a scarf that she adjusted over her shoulder even though it didn't need it. He had presented her with a gift in a brown paper grocery. She took it and immediately gave it back. She told him to give it to his roommate. What was it, a steak or something? Again, she offered reasons why they were through. With each denial she moved closer to me. I could smell her perfume and feel her breath on my neck. I inched a little forward, as did she. I was going to be standing in the bus space soon. He offered the bag again. She took it and held it. I glanced back and she had move over to the right behind me. I pretended that I was alone standing there. I could feel both sets of eyes upon me. She returned the bag to him again. I could feel his sadness. She moved closer to me. "Gotdamnit,.My name is Les and I ain't in this mess," I thought! I inched forward and looked over at the big hanging clock... The bus was late! Five minutes later the bus arrived. Two passengers got off and the driver beckoned me on. The woman trailed so closely behind me as we boarded the bus that I almost tripped. She immediately saw a former co-worker sitting in the first seat. They greeted. He was warm and friendly, not at all creepy like her begging beau. The former co-worker looked to start a conversation with the woman, his eyes sparkled. The woman stood at the rear side exit behind me. Her soon to be ex stood next to her. The bearded man smiled at her as his eyes gazed the begging beau. Then, the man's face was saddened as he looked down at his phone. He looked dejected. Perhaps, his name was Les as well? They made me uncomfortable standing behind me. The woman every so often said "No." I still could not hear him. What if he's some nut case? I looked about for another seat. but didn't want to be obvious. Instead, I rearranged my groceries in my bag in that it was pouring out. Finally, about a mile and a quarter from downtown she pulled the buzzer. I watched them walk away in the rain, she hurried and he tried to keep up still holding the brown bag as if it were of most importance, delicate. I sighed. She's going to take him back.