Because it was Wednesday night, the Waycross, Georgia, bus station didn’t have many passengers. Nina noticed a young girl sit down two seats over.
“Did you get your ticket all set?” she asked the teen.
“Yes Ma’am. The clerk said I was all ready,” the young girl answered.
“I’m Nina Johnson.”
“I’m Sue Fort. Nice to meet you.”
“Are you leaving the state, Sue?”
“Yes Ma’am. I’m going to New York.”
“Oh my, that’s far! Do you have family there?”
“Not really family,” Sue said. “Just an old friend. I’m not planning to stay with her very long though.”
“Oh, are you moving?” Nina asked.
“I’m gonna give it a try,” Sue said.
“Like Allison. In Peyton Place,” said Nina.
Sue looked at Nina. “Isn’t that a movie?” she asked. “I think my mother’s mentioned it once or twice.”
“It’s a book and a movie. Years ago, however. Way before… Do you have a job, Sue?”
“I don’t,” Sue answered, “but I know I’ll get one. I’m fairly helpful and efficient.”
“Now that’s a good attitude,” Nina said.
Sue smiled. “How far are you going, Ma’am?” she asked.
“Oh, I’m just going up the road a little, I’m afraid. To Macon to visit a daughter.”
At that moment a long bus whose sign read Chattanooga pulled up outside the station.
“I’m sure that’s mine,” Nina said. She stood and picked up her carryon. “It stops in Macon then continues. So nice to have chatted. You take care now, Sue.”
Sue saw a twenty dollar bill fall to the floor.
“Ma’am,” she called out. “You dropped a twenty just now.”
“Oh heavens,” Nina said. She took the twenty from Sue.
“You’re so honest. Look, I have a ten here I want you to accept. Out of appreciation.”
“Oh, I couldn’t,” Sue protested. “Don’t worry about it.”
Nina took Sue’s right hand and pressed the folded ten in it.
“Sue, listen Dear,” she said. “Sometimes people want and need to give to others. Never hurt their feelings by turning them down. Promise me you’ll always remember that.”
Sue laughed. “Okay, I won’t fight you and I promise.”
“I can see you’re going to make it just fine in New York,” said Nina. She turned and walked away, pulling her carryon toward the parked bus whose sign said Chattanooga.
