bus 21.

Upon my arrival this evening at the infamous MSP International Airport, my ride home didn’t quite work out…


(i.e. I didn’t have one)


so, I decided to give the public transit a go. The Light Rail from Lindbergh Terminal to Lake Street/Hiawatha exit to bus 21. No trouble at all.

As I smashed my way onto bus 21 with my backpack in front and my biking satchel in back, I took up more room than anyone really approved of. 


Then…


Two strollers with heaving, tired Moms behind them joined us on bus 21.


The man sitting across from me had a long, thick and full grayed beard. He even had a walking stick.


“What’s in the bag sweetheart? Looks heavy.”


Ahhh. He was talking to me? I was not quite prepared for bus interactions so his question caught me off guard.


“Oh, ummm… you know, clothes, a camera, socks….”


(Socks? Did I really just say socks?!)


“You know, I know these streets like nobody else ’round here. You know why?”


(My still somewhat surprised green eyeballs just staring at him seemed to indicate it was a good time for him to continue).


“Well, I used to biked up and down these here streets in the older days. Hell, I even remember the first time I saw a spotlight in the sky! Some thought it was aliens, but not me! I just took off on my biked, ridin fast I could toward’ it. And you know what it was? It was Target’s grand opening! Can you believe that??”


(No, I really couldn’t).


The next few people made their way onto the bus. Baby strollers exchanged places and kids seemed to sorely out number parents at every block. I watched as this Full-bearded Man with The Walking Stick interacted with nearly every individual who passed him. He gingerly, at one point, leaned down to pick up some litter than others (like myself) had merely stepped over. As one of the mother’s with a full stroller began exiting the bus, he stood up and shouted a, 


“Don’t come on! A Mom with a stroller is gettin off!!”


(He winked at me).


The next batch of kids walked by him in breathless wonder with one little girl exclaiming from the top of her lungs,


“Holy ****! It’s Santa!!!”


This Full-bearded Man with a Walking Stick put his finger up to his lips and leaned down to the little girl,


“Shhhh… don’t let the adults know. See you at Christmas sweetie!”


As the bus began approaching Pillsbury Ave, I stood up to make my move. 


“You know your stop backpack girl? Often people stare off into space and forget to get off at the stop they want. I always try to help people get right where they’re trying to go. You remember your stop?”


(Yes sir, I do in fact remember my stop).


“Maybe I’ll see you again someday. I seem to always be riding the 21. It’s a great bus.”


We exchanged a “peace” as I scrambled through the bus doors that always seem to close quicker than they should.


And as I walked away from Lake Street and bus 21, I realized people like that — like that Fully-bearded Man with the Walking Stick — they’re magic. 


Bus 21. I think I might just have to ride you again ….


   
cheers,
n.