"Sacred" Christmas Eve
It was just past midnight on 24th December. A strange silence surrounded the bus station, which was located apart from the center of NY.
My two friends and I waited for the department on the last bus, sitting on the seat. The bus seat was almost full, and most passengers were Blacks. Judging from their appearance and behavior, they seemed to be the working class. Half of them rode the bus innocently without touching their credit card (free ride, in short), but the driver never tried to stop them. I couldn't explain the situation without extraterritoriality, or the rules no longer made sense.
I had been exhausted from walking around the city in the daytime and had been relieved to ride a bus to our dorm.
"Finally, the long journey was over. I'll take a shower and rest as soon as I arrive" I thought.
However, 5 minutes after the anticipated departure time, the bus still stayed at the bus stop. I thought it must have been a trivial matter at first, but the atmosphere on the bus was worsening, as most people didn't know why.
Suddenly, a woman's scream echoed through the air. Following this, the other passengers yelled back at her.
"We are paying fees and tax. That is the f**king rule!"
Initially, I could understand what was happening, except that this was the cause of the delay.
Listening to the quarrel between the woman and the driver, It downed on me that the woman didn't accept the driver's warning to leave.
"It's midnight now! Do you tell me to walk outside now?"
"Get the dog out of the bus!"
"Why? He never bothers you!!"
The big dog looked clever was wagging its tail in front of the door. The dog was the problem, I guess. The NY bus allowed us to bring the dog only when the dog was in the container. Now, the dog was too big to put him in a bag or something to put it in.
"Shit, what a queen she is!"
"Move the bus right now!"
Gradually, the anger of passengers was becoming more and more apparent. I also lost my word for her selfishness. "How stupid she is! The driver should have gotten her out of the bus soon!"
However, unexpectedly, the words the woman spoke next hit my heart.
"C'mon, it's Christmas Eve! "
Exactly. I had just remembered that.
Today was an extraordinary, sacred, and celebratory day once a year. It's a day for lovers in Japan but for families in America. The dog was just her family member, so there was no reason to be refused on the ground that it was a dog, at least for her. I felt like I was beginning to understand her point.
"Shut up! "
The next moment, a woman sitting near the claimer suddenly stood up and shouted in a croaky, sorrowful voice.
"I worked over 16 hours on Christmas Eve! Just let me go home!"
Hearing her words, I got a catch in my throat.
I didn't recognize... no, I ignored people like her —— working under harsh conditions but unable to earn enough money to think about anything but living tomorrow and resting their minds even on holidays. I felt ashamed that I hadn't adequately appreciated the environments and people around me.
After 30 minutes of battle, the driver couldn't control his frustration and turned off the bus's electricity. We decided to get off the bus to avoid the worst situation, so I don't know how they did after. I hoped the dog could get back to their home without any trouble. It was totally innocent.
・・・・・・・・・
The next morning (Precisely the same day), the 24th temperature was a little warmer than the last several days.
I spent the day before Christmas watching an NFL game with my friends. I cheered for the New York Jets, and they finally turned the table with five seconds left. It was a truly excellent game, and I felt this was my present from Santa Claus.
Therefore, still in a merry mood, we visited Dyker Heights. The illumination was so brilliant and gorgeous that I couldn't believe volunteers made all these. They had started to decorate their house by themselves, not being forced by the government. Honestly, I thought spending so much money, time, and operating costs for unknown people was ridiculous, but at the same time, this voluntary spirit made me happier.
On the way home that night, just the Christmas Eve.At the same bus station, the Black man's anger withdrew me into reality.
"Don't butt in line, damn a**hole."
"It's your f**king fault for looking the other way."
The tragedy didn't end to that extent. Just before we arrived at the nearest bus stop to our dome, another passenger suddenly started to rage by throwing his bag and shouting indistinguishable words. His clothes smelled the subtle scent of marijuana.
The world's brightness seemed to strengthen the irritation of "have-nots," just as intense sunlight darkens the shadows.
・・・・・・・・・
I couldn't sleep well on Christmas Eve, as the scenery on the bus stuck to my eyelid.
Someone said Santa Claus comes to everyone, regardless of class, gender, or race.
Then, what is the "Santa Claus" to them?
God bless you. That was the only I could say.
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