“Please don’t do it,” the woman behind me whispered into her phone. Should I turn around or should I just mind my own business? She had been talking in whispers for the entirety of the bus ride and this was the only time I had actually heard any of her conversation. She had gotten on the Greyhound somewhere around Wichita when I had been asleep. I was trying to make it to New York City so I could start my life over, but wasn’t sure exactly how it was going to work out for me.
I didn’t have a ton of money and I think my friend had an extra room for me, but I wasn’t sure. I hadn’t exactly confirmed anything with her before leaving home. I was too afraid she would say no. I couldn’t stay home one more day or I knew things would get worse between my mom and I. I had to leave before she made me.
“Please don’t do it,” the woman said finally raising her voice above a whisper. “If you do I will never come home and you will never see our child again.”
The moment she hung up, I knew exactly who it was and I wanted to hide. Did she know I was sitting directly in front of her? How had I not recognized her voice before now? Was it because I had only heard her yell? I had never known my mother to whisper before and she wouldn’t again if she knew I was leaving town as well.
Standing Room Only 