144

The bus rumbled past buildings that managed to look exactly alike, with worn brick and crumbling foundations. I leaned against the window, condensation keeping the glass cool. Rain poured down from a sky obscured by clouds and misery. Umbrellas twirled through the streets, keeping their bearers mercifully dry. The activities outside weren't what I was interested in, however. Mostly I was focused on the loud voice behind me. "What? No, you're kidding." A woman in a thick black jacket had found a seat directly behind me, clutching a cell phone. She was sopping wet, rainwater dripping all over the floor. "Oh, no, of course not. I've got it coming across the border right now." There was a pause as the woman's tone turned annoyed. "Yes, with reliable people. I swear, you don't trust me at all."

I glanced back to see her roll her eyes in a fairly expressive manner. "What're you talking about? No, no. Not like that. Really, now. It's going to be perfectly fine, no one's going to be shot or anything like that, and you need to loosen up. Yes, I know I owe them money. Can you get them to stop calling me? That's harassment." I managed to suppress a chuckle. "So, what's the point of the call? The police came to the house? I would tell you to report them for harassment but they still need to show up a few more times. I know you don't want to hire a lawyer or anything, you're cheap like that." A grin stretched across the woman's face before she amended, "No, no. That's not a bad thing."

The bus rolled to a stop and the woman jerked forwards, the cell phone clattering to the ground. Swearing angrily, she reached down to rescue it from the floor of the bus. In a moment the conversation resumed. "Sorry, sorry, dropped the phone. Where were we? You're telling me that the police came to for the dog? Does this have anything to do with business? No!" Her voice gradually grew louder. "I told you to call this phone only for business!" Her tone was berating and it was obvious that this was some sort of predetermined rule. "I can't just go about answering calls about the police, the dog, and who knows what else when this phone is specifically for business!" A second later she hung up and clenched the phone in her hand.

It was only a few moments later when the phone rang again. With a sigh the woman answered and immediately launched straight back in on the berating. "Did they come up to the door and threaten to detain you or something? Because I'm sorry, but I am not getting involved! The dog's stupid. Think about it, all it wants to do is lie around and sleep half the time. All dogs are not like that. It specifically seems to be this dog and - nevermind, nevermind. What are you really calling for?"

The woman chewed on her lip and rolled her eyes again, a motion she seemed to be fond of.. "Wait, so you're calling my business cell phone to discuss something that does not involve the business in order to apologize for calling my business cell phone earlier for something that does not involve the business? Does this seem a little redundant to you too? Well, are we good?" Someone was talking very loudly on the other end of the line.“Oh, not good, then,” the woman teased, looking up at the ceiling as she spoke. “Yes, I know you’re sorry for calling this phone. The dog and the police aren’t important, though. I’m sure the neighbors aren’t that upset – except for maybe that guy across the street. I think he has it in for us – no, dear, I’m not coming home early for dinner tonight. You ask that every single day. Usually on the correct phone, I might add.”

After a goodbye the woman hung up and immediately clambered off of the bus at the nearest stop. As the doors shut behind her I couldn't help but laugh.