If buses knew

The bus pulls into its bay as she runs to catch it. She nods to the driver as she boards and takes the seat immediately behind him. They sit idling a moment, awaiting more passengers, but none join her. The solitary woman and the driver leave the bus bay, turn onto familiar roads. She smiles at him in the mirror and he catches her eye. The first few stops have no passengers and gradually, the woman gathers her courage. She makes small talk with the driver. Weather, sports, how long he's been driving. Simple things. At the next stop, the bus turns. Confusion crosses the previously calm visage of the woman. She looks again to the mirror and the driver smiles. He tells her he is lonely, and she sympathizes, not knowing how else to respond. He stops the bus, suggests sex, never moving from his place behind the wheel. She regards him in the mirror a moment, two, then another passes. She considers the offer. He is handsome enough, she supposes, and it has been a while. Then she recognizes her advantage. "A hundred fifty," she says demurely, still eyeing him in the mirror. He nods, a shy smile passing as he rises from his seat. He walks the aisle to where she stands and takes her gently into his arms. He kisses her tentatively at first, as if he expects she'll change her mind. Instead, she pushes him forward, kissing aggressively, unbuttoning his shirt. They use the bench seat to the side, the metal creaking beneath them as they move together. They moan. One at a time, then in unison. He shudders and slips away. The woman sits still, regarding him as he redresses himself. A soft, tin-like ringing begins. The man moves back to his seat, answering his telephone. The woman dresses herself slowly, catching his eye in the mirror from time to time. He finishes with the phone. "Who was that?" she asks, curiosity outweighing civility.  "My wife," he replies. She notices this is the first time he has spoken. His voice is gruff, manly, smooth like jazz. She nods, walks to the front of the bus, leans towards him in his seat and kisses him. He hands her five twenty dollar bills and five tens, gropes her breast, and kisses her forehead. She moves back to her seat. The one immediately behind his. The bus starts, she's almost home.