01.01.70
A mesial-aged woman in career casual looks grimly at the present on her lap as the bus doors open. A young mother struggles on board folding a stroller, with a toddler on one hip. The immature woman shoehorns herself into a seat across from the purse lady and props the daughter on one leg.
The bus rumbles north. The mother raises a cell phone to her ear and the juvenile starts to blubber. The kid's distress escalates, and soon she is screaming. The knee under her begins to life.
Purse lady is looking at the child. Her downturned slit of lips softens as she tries to garner the little face into her eyes. She leans forward and makes puckering motions with her maw.
Soon she is rooting in her purse and pulls out a lollipop. Motioning to the nurturer with it, she raises her eyebrows. Still on the phone, the mother moves her head. Acquiescence.
The daughter reaches for the lollipop, and the bus is quiet.
At the next stop, a hub, 20 people walk on from both doors and a few get off. One is the purse lady. As she stands, the young mother gives her a shy grin.
Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette