Not just my fear, but the bus itself.
Stiff seat, cold window, people on every side.
The guy in front of me has leaned so far back that I can see his dandruff.
I try to read my book but it makes me dizzy.
So I count road signs.
Endless miles of nothing.
At least I’m facing the right direction, finally bound for the coast.
I keep my eyes glued to the window, even though it’s pitch black outside.
Every time I see a unique name on a town sign, I write it in my notebook.
Mungallala.
Muckadilla.
Wallumbilla.
Dulacca.
We stop briefly in a town called Miles.
Miles, just like the name of the street I grew up on.
Miles, like the distance between me and Beth.
There isn’t a lot to see or do at four thirty in the morning.
But I’ve been on my butt for hours.
I need to stretch my legs.
I only venture as far as the corner, worried that the driver might leave without me.
Next time I step off this bus, I’ll be a city boy.
Surrounded by buildings that reach higher than the clouds.
I’ve dreamed of this since I was tiny, and now it’s happening for real.
I must have drifted off sometime after Chinchilla.
When I wake, the sun is shining in my eyes.
Our driver is announcing the final stop.
“Folks, we'll be arriving in Brisbane shortly. Please ensure you take all your belongings with you including any wrappers or drink bottles. Estimated time of arrival is ten fifty three this morning.”
Ten fifty three.
I check the clock on my phone.
It’s ten thirty eight.
