I was enjoying a really nice day until I boarded that bus. People were jostling one other to board the stop first. After assisting Mrs. Chen with her suitcase, I dropped my bag to save it and managed to find a seat. She patted my arm and murmured, “Thank you, sweetie.” “It is not the same old bones as it once was.”  Grinning, I turned to face the suit-wearing idiot who was sitting there with my suitcase scattered around the floor. I apologized, attempting to maintain my composure. “My seat is over there.” Seldom did the man take his eyes from his phone. “It does not matter. The order of arrival is first served.”

Furious as I was, making a disturbance would not help. With a silent mumble, I grabbed my luggage and marched toward the center of the bus. I smiled sympathetically at a young mother I saw trudging along with a fussy infant. As the bus staggered ahead, I clutched a pole to maintain my balance. That is then I heard it, that distinct wail of a newborn on high alert. The smug entitled jerk’s shoulders gave me a sneaking grin. He pivoted and gave the young mother a fierce look. Why can not you stop talking to that kid?

The woman seems embarrassed. I apologize; he is just teething. I am trying my hardest. “Well, you are not doing your best,” he angrily said. I was done. “Hey, friend,” I yelled. “How about you keep your mouth shut? She is making an effort.” He gave me a shady glance before turning around.

I said to the mother, “You are doing wonderful,” with my mouth. She nodded appreciatively at me. I laughed. “More akin to the incorrect side of existence.” That infant was like a tiny, cute tool of karma for the next thirty minutes. The small guy would wail loudly every time the jerk began to nod off. The true kicker, though? He literally began to kick.

Jerk-face’s seat was working out from the rear. I bit my lip to contain my laughter. He growled to the mother, “For the love of— can you control your child?” She appeared on the verge of tears. “I apologize; he is just agitated. The journey is quite lengthy. I was unable to resist. “Hey, you would not be dealing with this if you let me take back my seat.” I believe I saw the quiver in his eye, but he ignored me. Adolescents seated across from me giggled. “This dude is going to burst.” I smiled. “It does him justice.”

A few drops of rain spattered the panes at that same moment. Reaching for the roof hatch above his head, the thug got to his feet. Fantastic, just what we require! Rain!” With a loud CRACK, he pulled on the hatch. His countenance turned pallid. “Uh oh.” Water started to fall steadily, right onto his head. The hatch was jammed shut despite his best efforts to close it. Another drip fell with a gentle “plop” on his head every few seconds.