Tom had not made eye contact or saw anyone he knew as he boarded the bus. Tom however, was spied by Laura. It was a much later bus than she normally c...ught, simply because of the overtime she had to put in lately. Laura was surprised that Tom had boarded the same bus, and even more surprised that he hadn’t noticed her. She watched him as he made his way to the centre and fuller part of the bus. Laura started to follow behind him. It wasn’t a long bus journey, about forty minutes, and Tom hoped. I got close enough to the bleachers to see the street but my cousin’s car wasn’t there. I ambled toward the set of older wooden bleachers a long way to my left. I couldn’t see through those so I crept up to the corner of the tall structure and leaned in close to it and slowly moved my face forward to peek at the street.My eyes never made it that far. Less than 20 feet away stood some of those rude cheerleaders, standing in a semi-circle. I ducked back feeling terror shake my body. But …. She turned to her husband and asked, “Did you really save someone from hurting himself?”“It’s my job.”“No, it’s not.”“They’re just kids and sometimes they get confused. I just reminded him that’s impossible to be perfect. That’s all.”His wife smiled at him as she said, “My hero.”“Ah, don’t be that way.”“Let’s go home and count our quarters,” she said hugging his arm.“Don’t forget the dimes.”“Never.”Tim returned the two quarters to the envelope and stashed it in his wallet where it would be safe. Together.”Addie smiled back at me, “You sure? I was going to suggest to Kayla…”“No,” I interrupted, “no Kayla, no anybody besides you and me.”She rubbed her tummy, “You know how I am when I’m pregnant, and posing in lingerie… might be a long time in-between.” She hesitated, “But I know we can do it.” She was probably thinking the same thing I was, that month-plus that Samuel had demanded. We’ve already proven we can do it ―but knew how damned hard it was going to be.“Mommy, I’m hungry,” Katie.