Moonlight (Original Vignette)

Moonlight

Under the moonlight, all things glowed. I stood on a platform, waiting. Several night owls perched alongside me: A kindly old grandpa, two young girls, and a child. I tried to get rid of the creases in my suit with my hand, but it remained.

The grandpa leaned towards me. He had a subtle stench that reminded me of mud. He licked his lips.

“Going east?”

“Only direction to go. Family affairs.”

“I suppose so. Graduation for me.”

“You’re graduating?”

A bark of laughter from the Old Man. “No, my grandson.”

Silence lingered in the air. The two girls and kid were laughing several feet from us.

“They won’t make it.” The Old man said.

I glanced at my watch. It will be here soon.

“No.” I said, as I watched their jubilant expressive performances.

“They never do. It’s men like us who last. Especially now.” He spat something out of his mouth.

I tried to pat my suit down again. I fixed my tie. A light drizzle began to stir. I bit the inside of my cheek.

“They’ll grow up.” I said half heartedly. Soon, the bus arrived. I handed the driver my ticket, and sat behind the driver. The bus was empty, and the old man sat nearest to us. The three youths went and sat in the back, laughing and giggling.

“Where you twose headed?” Asked the Driver. A fat man with a large mustache. It fell over his lips.

“Just two stops away.” I said, “Got family affairs to take care of.”

The Old Man nodded. “Couple stops for me too.” The rain began to pick up, as it beat down on the bus.

I checked my watch again. It would come soon. I looked at the Old Man, “How many times have you rode this bus?”

“Oh, countless times.” He said, glancing back at the group. “Years I’d say. Is there such a thing as something longer than a year?”

I smiled at that. “Our stop is coming soon.” I said, pulling my sleeve over my watch.

The Driver gripped the wheel tightly. The last thing I heard was the wheels slipping from the water, and metal crashing upon metal.

And above, the moonlight glowed.