The rain was lazy drumming on the windows of the half-empty bus.
It was early morning. No one wants to go outside in such weather – especially an 80- year-old woman in an old , worn coat and with a bag.
The woman climbed onto the bus with difficulty ,as if every movement was painful . Her hands were shaking as she gripped the handrail tightly . The driver noticed her immediately , but waited for her to get inside. Then he said:
– Madam, you don’t have a ticket. You must get out.
The woman didn’t seem to understand at first . She turned slowly to him and whispered:
—I … don’t have any money. I just wanted to get to the pharmacy. I‘m out of pills…“It’s not my problem. Get out,” his voice grew louder and “angrier.” This is a bus, not a charity!”
–Please… don’t Kick me out. It’s cold outside. I have a long way to go…
“GET OUT!” the driver shouted ,slamming his palm on the steering wheel. ” Don’t make a scene!” But then the other passengers did something that left the driver in shock.
The passengers froze. Someone pretended to be busy with a phone. The girl by the window pressed herself into her jacket, biting her lips. The man in the dark coat frowned, but said nothing.
The woman wandered towards the exit Before leaving, she said quietly, but so that everyone could hear:
–I raised people like you. Taught you to be kind. With love… And now I can’t even sit down.
An oppressive silence hung in the cabin . The girl at the window began to cry, no longer hiding her tears. The man in the coat stood up, approached the driver and quietly said:
– You should be ashamed.
Then he got out. Two more followed him. Someone left a ticket on the seat, someone simply walked away without looking back. One by one , the left passengers the bus.
A few minutes later the driver was left alone. He wanted to say something … but it was too late.
The word ” “Sorry” was never said .
