thirty years later.
the bus was late, so lawyer jones made one final plea to louise not to leave town.
without taking her eyes off the clock on the bus station wall, louise politely declined once again.
“why would anything you say change my mind now, after trying a hundred times before?”
“well,” lawyer jones replied half-heartedly, “i thought you might take the bus being late as a sign.”
louise laughed. “these buses are always late. if it was on time, that would be more of a sign.”
the lawyer - his name was jonathon jones, but everyone called him lawyer jones because he was the only left one in town and he answered to the name “lawyer” - sighed and looked out the bus station window at jenny’s diner across the street.
“it doesn’t bother you that sarah is sitting over there watching you like a - “. lawyer jones started to say “like a vulture” but thought better of it, because nothing, not the quietest whisper, went unheard or unreported in jamestown - and finished up with “like she’s wondering if you are really leaving?”
“what do i care if she is watching or where she is ?” louise answered. “if she is across the street or home or sitting in a tree? how does that change anything?”
lawyer jones had no answer for this. he looked around the station. there were no strangers - jamestown was not a connecting stop - and the few faces were familiar.
although he had spoken in low tones himself, he was sure that every word that passed between himself and louise had been heard and would be broadcast.
they waited in silence. after a while the bus came. louise’s one suitcase was not that heavy, but jonathon carried it to the bus for her .
there were no other passengers getting on the bus - an express to the city - and none getting off, and the driver took louise’s suitcase and stored it in the luggage compartment.
“good-bye, louise.”
“good-bye, jonathon.”
“good luck.” jonathon wanted to add, “you’ll need it”, but he was afraid that, too, might be overheard and invested with all sorts of meanings,
jonathon watched as the bus puled out onto the street and headed for the interstate.
then he walked over to jenny’s diner.
sarah did not look surprised to see jonathon and he joined her in the booth by the window.
sarah did not look particularly triumphant - but then, unlike jonathon, she probably never doubted that louise would really leave town.
“well,” said sarah, “we now have a great deal to discuss, don’t we?”
“yes,” jonathon answered, “but we can do it in my office, in the morning.”
“i quite agree,” said sarah, taking a sip of her tea. “there is a time and place for everything.”
jenny came over to the booth and jonathon ordered a glass of milk and a slice of jenny’s famous chocolate cream pie.
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