Another Memorable Moment on the Bus

Public transportation in the city never ceases to provide me with amusing tales, fodder for this blog, the occassional good conversation, and once, even a date. Yesterday on the bus an older black gentleman was sitting down when a mom type and a red headed kid, probably two or three years old, came on the bus and sat down.

The little kid turned around so s/he was looking out the window. I couldn't tell if it was a girl or a boy because the kid had short hair and the clothing was not gender specific. For whatever reason, though, s/he was amused by the older gentleman so s/he kept looking at him.

Finally, the gentleman broke the silence and said "How are you? You are a handsome little man," to which the mom replied "Um, she's a girl." He quickly corrected himself saying "Oh, you are a pretty little girl."

Then began the cutest yes/no series of questioning I've seen in a while. "Are you going home, dear?" the gentleman asked. "Yes," she replied.

"Did you have a good day?" Yes.

"Is life treating you well?" Yes.

"Well, life is pretty good at this stage."

And with that the mom and child had arrived at their stop. The gentleman helped the mom off the bus, taking responsibility for getting the stroller up and running for the walk home in the rain.

Life is pretty good at this twenty-something stage, too. And there is little to no chance of anyone thinking I am a boy.