The bus stops suddenly; Jane barely catches her book midair. She throws an annoyed glance the driver’s way as she rebraces her feet against the floor, gripping the strap harder.
The bus lurches again, sending her flying along with her book. Strong hands grab her, keep her from slamming headlong into the pole. Her head clears to the realization she is sitting in some man’s lap.
Her face burns. The man’s hand moves from her hip to the middle of her back, pats reassuringly. “No worries. This might be a sign I should buy you a cup of coffee.”
Every week at the Ranch, Charli Mills hosts the Rough Writers and Friends flash fiction challenge. This week’s prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about an unexpected landing. Fun flashes from other writers are at the link. Join us! It’s fun!
99 Monkeys 
I know two people that married the guy met on the bus. Both ended in divorce. Still, coffee might be nice.
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Don’t ya hate that when you can’t get a seat on the bus! I hope that’s a friendly hand on her back. I’m sure Jane is street-wise enough to tell a genuine offer from a creepy one. I hope. Great flash.
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Thank you!
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No worse than marrying the guy met in the bar, I suppose. Good and not-so-good people are everywhere.
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Yup.
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I do like happy endings!
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Me too!
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Hope this works out for Jane – even if it’s only a brief landing in the coffee house.
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Sometimes just a cup of coffee is all we need.
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Sometimes that cup of coffee is all the humanity we get in a world that slams us with its stops and starts. I love the analogy of this bus ride to Jane’s life and seeing the kindness an unexpected hand up can bring.
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As always, thank you for all you do! It’s always fun to be here.
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We need a bus to feel welcome on in this journey. Thanks for getting on! 🙂
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