POV: Damian
If anyone ever tells you public transportation builds character, don't believe them.
It steals your dignity first.
The moment I stepped onto Bus Twenty-Three, I realized I'd made a terrible decision.
There were no empty seats.
No standing space.
No personal space.
A grandmother carrying three shopping bags smiled at me.
"Young man."
"Yes?"
"You're tall."
"I've been told."
"Wonderful."
Before I could ask why that mattered, she hung two shopping bags on my forearm.
"There."
I stared at them.
"...There?"
"My shoulder was getting tired."
She patted my arm.
"You're a blessing."
Then she turned around and started chatting with another passenger as if she'd rented me by the hour.
I looked toward the driver.
He didn't even blink.
Apparently this was normal.
The
