heavenlystranger

You know what I want? Celeste asked.
What?
Vegetables. I would love some broccoli. I havent had broccoli in forever. Jonah smiled at her and it was a smile without pretension.
I honestly cant remember the last time I had broccoli either. Jonah actually couldnt remember the last time he had eaten a vegetable, but he didnt want to alarm her. The sky cracked. Jonah and Celeste pulled themselves farther onto the bench, Celeste bringing her knees up to her chin. Rain tapped the small overhang that protected the bus stop. Cars slid cooly into their range of vision and then slid out again, leaving the two strangers to guess at their destinations. They listened to the sounds of the city for a few gracious moments before Jonah spoke again.
How long have you lived in this district?he asked.
God, I dont even know. Three, four, five, ten years? It sounds weird to say, but I cant really remember. It feels like Ive always lived here. I guess thats how it is when youre happy.
Youre happy? Jonah asked. After the words spilled, he wished he could pull his tongue out. He looked down at the cement and stared at a wad of neon green gum that had been recently dropped. He could feel her eyes on him, could trace the path they were taking across his face.
Im happy, she said, but Im not satisfied. The bus pulled up, making dragon sounds and flapping its door around. The day Im satisfied is the day I die. Do you have change? Jonahs hands flew to his stomach. He felt the money under his layers of clothing, but did not want to reach under there while Celeste watched. He shook his head. Celeste dug around in the pockets of her old coat and came up with the money. She placed it into Jonahs hand and one of her feathers brushed him again. He followed her up the stairs of the bus, hoping that the ride would be a smooth one.

h.s.