MonkeyPants

Perspective.

Today was a ghastly day for car jockeying.  The wind was freezing, snow was coming down here and there, and I woke up with a runny nose that is in the process of turning into a full-blown cold.

I was feeling very sorry for myself waiting for a bus at Hastings and Hawks. I had run out of dry Kleenex, and was left snuffling in the icy wind. Life was miserable.

“I thought I saw a bus.”  A girl hurried up beside me. She vibrated with cold and addiction. Her eyeliner was a quarter-inch thick under eyes that still looked hopeful.  I wondered how long she had been a prostitute, because it was pretty clear that that’s what she was.

“Yes, there it is! I can have a shower!” She was so happy.

“That’s always a good thing,” I murmured.

We got on the bus and sat opposite one another. She asked me the time.

“Ten to twelve.”

“Hey, that’s great! I can have chicken at the Gospel. Today’s chicken day, and it’s good chicken!” She nodded for emphasis. Her brown eyes widened.  “I never go except on chicken day.”

“It sounds good,” I replied.

My own tough day stopped looking so bad after that. I was cold and sick and grumpy, but I have food in my fridge. I have jobs I (mostly) love that allow me to ensure food in that fridge, and a warm bed every night, and a shower whenever I want it.

I’ve got it pretty good.