The Man At The Bus Shelter

It is funny imagining things about people you come across every day at the same places.

Since several years, every morning, at the same hour, and at the same bus shelter I  catch the same bus to commute to work. Most people usually get into the queue not saying anything. However, there is a man who always says “good morning”. Nothing special if it weren´t for the way of saying “good morning”; deep and husky voice, and his sinister aspect. This enigmatic man is in his fifties, almost bald and old-fashioned dressed. His way of lookig is also disturbing, it is difficult to describe, but I always feel troubled. I prefer not to bump into him. It is an embarrassing situation, at least for me. I cannot imagine what goes through his mind.

One day, in the evening I was strolling with my partner and I saw the man. I told her: “Look at this guy, honey. This is the strange man that I talked about,… the man I come across every morning at the bus stop”. Then, she smiled telling me: Oh, I know that man, he´s my parents´ neighbour; he is, you know, a special person,…slightly retarded. -Wow, that explains it all- I sighed…

From that day, every moring I have seen that man in a different way. I felt sorry for him and I try to be warmer towards him. I think I am the only person at the line that understands his situation, his “secret”…Sometimes, when I get a chance, I give him some candies and comic books. He always looks so grateful!

Some months later, my partner Laura and I were walking in the quarter when we saw the man. We nodded and smiled at him and, suddently, Laura told me: Do you remember what I told you about that man some months ago? –yes, of course- I assented-. Well –she added- I was totally wrong, you know, I was talking to my parents about that man and they told me he is not mentally handicapped… he works as a senior official for the Department of the Treasury.  Actually, he is a extremely intelligent man. I just mixed  him up with another neighbour.

From then on, I go to work on foot. I have always thought of doing exercise,  breathing fresh air and feeling the dew drops would be good for me.