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The Commuters

October 18, 2022 5 Comments

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When the bus pulled away from Chinatown, there were three new passengers aboard. Their N95 masks couldn’t quite conceal their prominent cheekbones and slim eyes. So different from the other commuters.

Chao went to a vacant seat between a businessman and a nurse. When he sat down, he felt their dirty looks. Heard one mumble, “Go home, Chinaman.” He did not look up when they moved to the back of the bus to stand.

He shifted into a more comfortable position as his companions sat down beside him. “How nice,” they laughed. “They gave us their seats. How very nice indeed!”

By Rina Olsen

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Valli Henry-Boldini says

    October 18, 2022 at 5:30 pm

    Great read… kudos…

    Reply
  2. Yogita says

    October 19, 2022 at 9:14 am

    Nice..unexpected ending! Enjoyed..

    Reply
  3. James R. Coffey says

    October 20, 2022 at 7:57 am

    Very nice!

    Reply
  4. lee says

    October 23, 2022 at 1:57 pm

    Well done. The workers’ innocent perception of the situation unintentionally thumbed a nose at hate. That’s my perception, anyway 🙂

    Reply
  5. Kelly Louisa Balliu says

    November 8, 2022 at 7:00 am

    Interesting how the man and his companions were able to ‘stick two fingers up’ at derision, so to speak. Good for them

    Reply

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