Finding My Way Home from the Land of the Dead

I really want a California State ID so I went to the DMV around noon today, by bus, to get one and the line was at least 100 people long out the door. WTF. I headed directly back home, sitting long at the bus stop a long time. I asked a guy who sat down nearby if he was waiting for bus 111. No response – just a hard mean look, and then, sharply, “Why?” “Because it is the bus I am waiting for and I have been waiting for over an hour.” No response. Ugly guy, big, young, lineman’s physique. Later: “Does 111 stop here?” The same a hard mean look, and the same sharp, “Why?” “I don’t believe it is coming and I need to take it home.” “You not from here?” “I live in Long Beach – I just don’t know this bus route….Why?” I echoed him, smiling playfully and then looking away quick so as not to rile him too much.

Looking at me hard, he asks me, “You married?” NO. “You got kids?” NO. “You a Christian lady?” “Well, I’m Christian and I am a lady.” Why didn’t I ask in response, “If I told you I belong to all the religions would you stone me?”

Finally word came that busses were not stopping there because of a bomb threat at LB airport…Long walk to catch a different bus…Still trying to find my way out of the Land of the Dead… But it is on the horizon and in my heart.