The stop in the Styx, Part 1

This is just a short story I have been working on for the last month. I'm releasing it in parts, so I may take time with it, experimenting with certain subjects and word flow. I would love feedback!

Morning walks to the bus stop were usually uneventful for Jeff. The Sun would always glare in his eyes, the air was either too humid or chilled, and whenever he would arrive at the grimy post, there was an unpleasant stranger waiting patiently for him. But this morning was proving to be oddly different. It was roughly 8:30 am, but the Sun just peeked over the tree tops that were located about one mile from the stop, the trees were planted by elected officials, to promote Earth day a few years back. Jeff always thought they were shabby in appearance since landscaping in his area was rarely performed. The area and the people were too poor. He continued his slow trot, finish with the thought of the Sun, the bus stop seemingly to be further than usual. Jeff began to feel sweat gather in the crook of his elbows and under his armpits, he tugged his sleeves of his brown sweater above elbows. The sleeves were awkwardly bundled, but Jeff ignored his shyness.  He blew out his breath to only see it chilled in the air. The air around him was not humid, he was warm, but still felt a chill in his bones. Another conundrum that Jeff shrugged off, in his mind he knew this morning was not considered normal, but he didn’t seem to mind it. The little things were wrong, but these could be easily overlooked. It was the same path he walked for many years, which was an aged sidewalk that had cracks growing throughout its structure, the sprouted about just like the weeds that flourished within them. To Jeff, that was all that matter. As long as the journey and destination were the same, he would ignore the outside forces that were rebelling normality. It didn’t affect his outcome, which was to work his job and return home to a beer.

 

                The outline of the stop grew closer and he identified an awaited guest that would soon make small talk, whom Jeff would reply with grunts and ‘mh-hmm’. Unconsciously, he groaned, for Jeff was not a social man and despised any social interaction that was not with his drinking buddy, Aaron or his dear old mom. Whom was stuck at low income nursing home, since that was all the family could afford. The thought of his mother made him feel troubled and he stopped his trek, the emotion was settled in his chest like ancient mud that had harden. He believed what he felt could be labeled as despair. After her last stroke, that paralyzed most of her body and took her ability to communicate, the family had no choice to place her in the s****y home. His older sister had been diagnosed with manic depression and was being evaluated for bipolar disorder. She had already shown signs of neglect toward her children, she was not in the condition to take care of an elder. Then he worked for 13 hours every day, and only got Sundays off. On those days, he spent with his mother, holding her hand while wiping the dribble from her mouth. He was doing all he could, but the harden muck wouldn’t loosen.

 

                Jeff looked up, the figure had turned away as though it was caught watching. Though, Jeff wouldn’t blame it. He was sure that he had been standing there staring at the sidewalk for the last 5 minutes. Jeff began dragging his feet to finish his slow journey, he could identify the once far silhouette. A simple looking young man, wearing a large grey hoodie, cargo shorts, and a red skull cap. But Jeff paid no further attention to his companion. His immediate focuse was on the grated bench that he set himself in the middle of. An a*****e move, but he didn’t want the company. The boy kept his back to Jeff while leaning on a pole of the stop, he looked to be on his phone. Jeff was relieved, this meant the youth had no interest in social interaction. He sighed and observed his current surrounding. His stop. Its construction like any other of its kind in a city. Three walls made with fibro glass held by metal poles with thinning emerald paint. The roof was arched, colored with a lighter shade of green. He decided that the roof was a hue of chartreuse. Jeff began studying a random flier that was taped to the wall to his right. It was fresh and was advertising an upcoming comedic stand up that would be located at popular restaurant in downtown. He was trying to recall the last time he had an evening of fun when he heard shuffling from the young man. Jeff directed his attention to him, the man had simply turned toward Jeff, showing his full frontal. Jeff immediately study the face, which had soft features, high cheekbones and a dainty chin. His nose was crooked and his eyes were almond-shaped. But it was the color that enraptured Jeff. The grey blue orbs seemed to twinkle as the young man gave a crooked grin,

“It’s a beautiful day, don’t you think?” Asked the man, his grin transformed to a smile

Small talk had been initiated.