One more Tuesday

When I said I sold insurance, I lied. Okay, not completely, but I don't actually start selling insurance for another week.  Instead, I am... a nanny. I have been for a little over a year - and it is sometimes fun, but most of the time just exhausting. However, that's not what I'm here to talk about tonight.

I watch Blake in Kirkwood. So everyday, I have a nice little twenty minute drive there that gets me pumped up for the day, and I nice little twenty minute ride home that lets me unwind. I've come to absolutely treasure this time. I neeeed the preparation in the morning, and the silence at night. A lot of times I don't even turn on the radio.

On my rides in the morning, I have come to notice certain things and people that I can count on being the same. I see the Metro turning onto Manchester about the same time I do, I see bakery workers opening their shop, and I see masses of people filing into the giant EdwardJones building on the corner. My favorite, and most certain, however, are the people I see. I see five people, the same five people everyday, in the exact same spot.

In a year plus some, I have really come interested in the lives of these people. I mean, I see them everyday, rain or shine, snow or ice. Every morning they line the street as I drive by. I often wonder if they notice my same blue explorer driving past them. They are each lined up at a different Metro sign waiting for the bus. Each about 200 yards from each other. I often wonder if they know each other, and talk when they get on the bus.

The first is a younger guy. Probably my age, or a little older. He always seems so tired, ha, poor guy. He seems like a college student, however, he is there in the summer, so I don't know where he's going... or coming from. He usually has a backpack, but seems clean enough to not be homeless I've decided.  He has dark hair, and the way he's built, and the way he carries himself makes me think he might be in the army or something. Who knows?

The second, might be my favorite. She is probably in her late twenties, early thirties. She is a homely looking girl, with glasses, a bit of acne, and long, unfixed hair. She always has some sort of long skirt and nice blouse on. Her matching abilities are iffy. She is obviously going to work somewhere. I imagine a library. Sometimes I see her talking to herself, which makes me laugh. Today though, I got a huge kick out of her. Something big must have been going on at the library because she was pacing in circles!! On the sidewalk! I could tell she was walking in circles before I got to her, and watched her for a bit as she continued in my rear view mirror. But I had to focus on the next one, so I couldn't watch too long.

The third, makes me a little sad - I think. She is blind. Or partially blind. I suppose I will never know. She walks with a stick, and is always standing in the same spot, looking straight ahead. As if, what's the point of looking anywhere else. I am so intrigued by this one! How does she get to the bus stop? How does she cross the busy street if she has to? How does she get on the bus, and know where it's going? Does she live alone? Does she have help? She looks lonely to me, but that's just the perspective I get from my front window. I realize that she has probably been doing this for a while, and she is always by herself, so I'm sure she knows what she's doing - but I have so many questions! Where does she go? Where does she come from?

The fourth is typical. He is a St. Louis business man. In fact, I judge him. Ha. Not harshly, but I suppose in the year I've been watching him - I've learned that maybe he is just smarter than the average bear. He always wears a suit. He has glasses and is balding. Looks smart. Always has a leather briefcase with him. I always think to myself, why does this guy want to ride the city bus?? He obviously has money. But, what do I know. Maybe he doesn't. Maybe he has one suit, and changes the undershirt? Maybe the leather is fake. Or maybe, he is just money savvy and thinks to himself, why waste the gas? Maybe he's environmentally friendly? What do I know - I only see him five seconds a day.

The fifth is my favorite in a different way. It is a man, and his yellow lab!! Yay! They are always running! Every morning at 7am, they are running together down Manchester. No matter the weather, they are out there. I am a little confused by this though, because the dog is in a mussel? Now, it's a yellow lab... what yellow lab has ever done anything wrong?! It's not a full out mussel, but its the kind that just has the thin strap around his snout. Doesn't seem to bother him though, he's always got his tongue flapping in the wind. Just him and his owner getting a nice jog in before the long day. I'm so happy this dog has a good owner, I love seeing that! Incidentally, these are all in order so I get to see the dog last before I get to Blakes - God planned that, I know it.

So there you have it. I have been working there for 16 months, and have seen these people everyday, and never told anyone. Never felt a need to. However, today seemed different for some reason. I will be done with Blake in just a week. Which means I have just one more Tuesday with these people. That almost makes me sad. Will the young guy ever get to sleep in - thus not looking so crabby? Will the librarian learn to fix her hair? Does the blind lady have any help? Will the business man ever drive his own fancy car to work? Will the dog ever not have to wear the mussel? Do the bus riders talk to each other on the bus?? I will never know any of this. Rats. But they have been fun to watch, and analyze. Everyday they show me the raw diversity that is America. And I wouldn't be surprised if I wake myself up early enough to make the 20 minute drive to Manchester to see how they are all doing in six months or so - I hope they will have missed me, too.





Speaking of which... I decided to play golf today with Kyle. Prooobably not the best decision for my wrist. Whoopsie.