Last Friday

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I would have preferred it to to be Good Friday because school would have been out, and the buses and the drivers would be resting. But it wasn't, so I had to work.

It was however, a special Friday to some because it was the end of National Read Across America Week, and our schools recognized Dr. Seuss for his contributions to our reading programs. Remember him? Boy he and his books were weird!

Anyway, the route I was assigned began with the elementary school and made a loop around town dropping off the young ones before returning to the school yards to get the Junior and Senior High kids. The route then repeated itself before taking the remaining students to their drops in more rural areas.

Well, it was about the time that I was heading toward the rural route after completing 2 separate runs through a local neighborhood when the radio blurted, "Base to Bus 6. You failed to drop off Evan!" I had not a clue who Evan was, let alone what stop he was supposed to go to.

So after finding a suitable location, activating the 4-way flashers, I pulled off hoping not to sink into the soft soil at the road's edge. Set the brake, turn off the engine, open the passenger loading door (as a safety thing just in case the bus blows up or something), remove the key, stand up, and speak clearly into the PA system. "Is Evan here?" No answer. No surprise to me though cause I always expect the worse. Go figure.

Secure the microphone and walk the narrow isle toward the rear while asking again who is Evan. Everyone denied they were he. But then, I saw him. Had to be him. He was asleep with his pink back pack in his lap, wearing his handmade Dr. Seuss hat, and holding a jacket and a book beside him. A kindergarten kid.

After waking him, he informed me that I was not at his stop. Well, I knew that! So I asked him what stop was his and why he did not get off at either of the two passes. Well, he didn't know that either, so I invited him up front as I returned the 4 miles back to his stop, just in time for a heavy downpour of rain.

Stopped the bus and deployed the "Don't Pass Me" stop sign and instructed him to disembark. He gathered all his stuff in his arms. I was sure that he would fall down the steps if something wasn't done.

I asked him for his book and he began to explain what a great read it was because it was about a frog. "OK kid, that's very interesting, but let me just put it into your backpack for now." So then he asked where his jacket was. I told him to check the seat where he first was. He found it after wandering around for a minute or so, returned and asked for help putting it on because it was "raining out there." Then I had to fold (very neatly of course) his paper Dr. Seuss hat and put it in the pack with his book before he finally got off and ran to his granny waiting in the rain.

Seven minutes it took not to mention the time it took to drive back to the stop. Seven minutes of traffic backed up behind me. Seven-plus minutes late for each of the remaining passengers getting home. 560 heartbeats less that I have to spend in my life the way I want to. And guests are coming for dinner tonight.

I can't take it! What will this week bring?
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