“Hop” The Unforgettable Bus Ride

A would be robber runs into the wrong bus driver.

“Hop” The Unforgettable Bus Ride

My father’s work ethic was unparalleled.

As a young man he explored several possible career options.

This amazing story is about what happened on day while he was working on one of those jobs.

It shows firsthand my father’s sense of loyalty and dedication to his employer.

It also speaks to his strong work ethic.

Again, in order to assure that my depiction of these events was accurate, I have verified the facts of this story with several people.

This is that incredible story as told to me.

In his twenties my father worked as a local bus driver.

He prided himself on never missing a day of work, always completing his route, and never getting into a accident.

Those work values were challenged one day.

About half way through his normal route a man boarded the bus.

He paid his fare and sat in the seat directly behind my father.

My father prided himself on being a good judge of character and his instincts combined with what he knew about every day happenings on the street made him leery of this man.

He just didn’t seem “right” and something was “off” about him.

My father’s uneasiness would prove to be well founded.

As the bus rolled on the man squirmed from side to side in his seat.

My father could see him in the mirror.

A few block down the road the man suddenly jumped to his feet, pulled out a gun, and ordered my father to pull over the bus.

When my father did he demanded he open up the money box.

He also wanted the bus doors opened as well so he could make his escape.

My father opened the doors as ordered.

My father then told the man that he kept the key for the money box under his seat.

What the man didn’t know was that in addition to the key my father kept a baseball bat under the seat as well.

As my father reached under the seat he pulled out the key and held it up so it could be seen.

The man focusing on the key did not notice my father reach back under the seat with his other hand and pull out the baseball bat.

Wham!

In a flash my father struck him in the chest.

The man tumbled backwards and was falling out of the bus.

As he struggled to regain his balance my father got up and tried to kicked him out of the doors.

In the melee the gun discharged and my father was shot in the shoulder.

Although wounded, my father was still able to kick the man out of the bus.

He then closed the doors and started off.

In his mirror he could see the would be robber lying on the pavement still dazed.

Now this alone should prove my father’s loyalty, dedication, and work ethic.

There is more to the story however.

My father tied up the wound with the handkerchief he always kept in his pocket and then he FINISHED THE ROUTE.

He knew if he didn’t he might not get paid for the day.

It was only after he returned the bus to the terminal and reported the incidence that he headed off to the hospital.

But wait, there is more.

Once at the hospital the doctor x-rayed his injury.

He wanted to remove the bullet; however, my father had no health insurance and could not pay the $100 the operation would cost.

Since the bullet was lodged in his shoulder and was not life threatening he told the doctor to leave it in.

That is exactly what he did.

The doctor stopped the breeding, put a bandage on the wound, and sent my father on his way.

He went back to work the next day.

They just don’t make men like my father anymore.