by Glory Lennon

Created on: March 05, 2011   Last Updated: March 29, 2011

Kalie stepped out of the house and gasped. There were tiny green shoots poking out of the melting snow. Finally! She had started to think the earth’s awakening would never come. She laughed at herself. Was there ever a year without a spring?

She came alive with this new discovery and practically skipped down the sidewalk , her happy thoughts on putting away winter clothes and getting a new spring wardrobe. At the corner the usual grumpy morning crowd waited for the bus. They weren’t going to get to her today. No, Sir! That little plant had set the tone for the day. It would be a good one.

“Good morning,” she said brightly to no one in particular. Half ignored her and the other half glared. She just smiled. Why shouldn’t she be happy when warm weather was on the way?

The bus arrived and all scrambled on with Kalie being last.

“Good morning,” she said to the driver.

He grunted and slammed the door shut before Kalie moved to the back. She took one step and was pulled back. Her scarf was stuck in the door.

“A little help here!” she shouted, pulling the scarf from her throat before it choked her. “Hey!”

The driver looked up.

“Can you open the door, please?” Kalie said pointing to the scarf.

“Get off at the next stop,” the man snarled.

“I don’t want to get off. I just want my scarf,” she explained.

“At the next stop,” he replied.

She opened her mouth to argue, then shut it again. Why bother? The next stop was just a few yards up.  She smiled. Spring was a joyous time and she was going to stay happy.

Once she pulled her scarf out of the door, she went to grab a seat. Unfortunately, there were none. Or rather there was only one, but it was next to the guy who took every opportunity to pinch her butt. Of course, he couldn’t pinch it if she got to sit on it, could he? She smiled, sat down and immediately jumped up. She wasn’t quick enough it seemed. She moved further back, but stopped when her scarf became entangled again.

Kalie turned and saw a teenage boy—or was he a hoodlum?—tugging on her scarf.

“You can sit on my lap,” he said.

Right and be arrested for seducing a minor, she thought. “No, thanks,” she said, forcing that smile, as she extracted the scarf from his fingers.

“Think spring, think green, think warm,” she muttered grabbing the pole to keep herself standing.

Kalie smiled as she settled herself behind her desk. All was good in the world. Spring was here.

“You got the promotion!” Tammy shouted, bursting in.

“Seriously?” Kalie said.

“Yes and your first assignment is a six-month stint in Alaska. Good thing you didn’t buy any spring clothes. Won’t be needing them there,” Tammy said grinning.

Kalie smiled no more.

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