The Old Woman

She sat there, an old wrinkled hat pulled over her gray hair.

Sarah glanced at the woman, who always came to the bus stop early. She never saw her leave the bench. Today, she wore a faded pink dress, some trainers, and the same squashed-up straw hat with fake flowers sewn into the band. The most Sarah ever saw of her face was the gray hair that poured from beneath the hat, and an angular chin.

The woman was small, but sat in a hunch. Today, for the first time since she had seen the woman, Sarah sat down next to her.

"Good day;" a raspy voice emmitted from behind the straw hat.

Sarah smiled kindly. "Good morning, ma'am."

The woman shrugged. "The weather is nice today."

"Yes;" Sarah said, glancing at the trees beside the bus stop. The street was bathed in warm sunlight; it was strangely warm for October.

"Where is your husband today?" the old woman asked.

Sarah shrugged. "Away, on a business trip."

"Oh." The woman sounded almost disappointed.

Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that Sarah pointed the woman out to her husband most days. Not until they were out of earshot, of course, but still.

"She's a strange lady;" Sarah told him, only yesterday. "Maybe she's crazy."

"She can probably hear you;" her husband had whispered softly.

Maybe the old crone had heard her, after all?

"So, dearie;" the woman continued, "are you goin' to work again this morning?"

Sarah nodded. "I'm waiting for the bus."

"So am I."

Sarah frowned. "You never get on the bus with me. Are you waiting for someone special?"

The woman shook her head. "No. I take a different bus."

Suddenly, a school bus rounded the corner. The old lady stood up.

"Where are you going?" Sarah asked.

The old woman removed her flowry hat to reveal a young face, all pale skin and pale eyes and pale hair.

The young girl gave her a toothy smile. "It was nice talking to you;" she said in a raspy voice, and coughed into her fist. The bus pulled up, and the girl got in.

As the bus pulled away, all Sarah could do was stare in awe.