Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2006 04:34:06 -0500 From: Steven Subject: The Life Of A Bus Driver 1 Authors Note: This story has been written in honor of a very good friend, who has helped me through times that I don't think I could have made it through without his help. This is based on a true story of his life, however the names mentioned in this story have been changes to protect the innocent. This is not to be redistributed other than from Author to www.nifty.org. Author will not make copies for anyone, however leaves nifty to right to distribute this story as they see fit. If you have any questions or comments please email me at the above address. Also you may check out my other story on Nifty, which is titled Day Out On The Town, and cane be found in the beginnings section. Thanks and I sincerely hope that you enjoy. Here I was stuck in traffic once again, like every other Monday through Friday evenings for the last ten years. As I was waiting for my light to change for the forth time in a row, when I realized I couldn't even remember the last time I had taken a personal vacation for myself. I then made a promise that I would check into taking a vacation very soon. Finally it was my turn to proceed through the light. About five minutes later I was parking my car in my garage. I was happy to be finally home, considering it was almost 8 pm, and I left my house this morning at fifteen after five am. I guess I should describe myself for you. My name is Jerome, I am a 28 years old black male, I stand about five foot eleven inches. I am built pretty solid, which comes with my second profession. By day, I am a School Bus Driver, by night and on weekends I am a part-time dance choreographer. I have danced for popular musical artist such as Missy Elliot, Janet Jackson, and last but not least Usher. Being a Bus Driver is a career. Being a dancer/ choreographer is more of a dream, and pretty much pays 88.9% of my lifestyle. My ultimate dreams are to own my own Charter bus company and a line of dance studios which specializes in teaching unfortunate children who cant afford to have dance and singing lessons. As you have most likely already figured out, I spend all my time and energy caring for others, and not myself. So tonight, I am going on the net to check out some weeklong cruises to the Bahamas, and possibly book a guided tour of Michael Jackson's hotel. As I was logging into my email account an Msn Message popped up, alerting me that my sister Erika in Columbia has logged on. So I message her telling her I am was good, and that I am looking into booking a cruise. Of course she went ecstatic asking me what in the hell was I smoking. Now you might find it funny to learn that I don't know how to swim, and I am sure not going to float on a first class closet door, in the middle of the ocean telling Leonardo Dicaprio that "I'll never let go Jack, I'll never let go!" But you will never catch me setting one foot on a plane, as I am scared to death of flying, so the only way to get their would be by boat. Before I knew it, it was after ten pm, so I saved my recent searches, and told Erika goodnight and closed my laptop. I then proceed to get everything ready for in the morning, because four am would come very early. At least tomorrow was Thursday, so I didn't have dance practice after work. I soon was lying down and was off to sleep. Beep, Beep, Beep I rolled over to turn off the damn racket, when I noticed that is was my alarm clock and it was fifteen after four, Shit! I quickly jumped up and ran into the shower. That first burst of cold water just about knocked me off me feet. I was out of there just as quick as I came in. Literally had to jump into my clothes. Thank goodness someone invented power technology. I could crank the car and turn on its automatic climate control system and raise the garage door with just two touches of a button. I didn't even have the leave the kitchen. As I am quickly making my lunch, and grabbing a quick breakfast, I notice it is now five on the dot. So I turn off all the lights, switch the house alarm from Stay to Leave Mode, and I walk out the door. I climb into my brand new 2006 Buick Rainier AWD CXL, and get settled in. Now don't get me wrong, Just because I am now driving a forty-thousand dollar vehicle paid in cash, does not mean I am rich by any means. I just know how to budget a dollar very well, and I really have no life to spend a lot of money on. I am a single and very lonely man. I am gay, but have never done anything about so I guess that would make me a virgin. Back to my story, I climbed into a very comfortable 80-degree vehicle, which read an outside temperature of a blistering 32 degrees. I love the new features in this car, which my old 1999 Buick Regal did not have. Such as power/heated leather seats, and remote keyless w/ remote start. I also had the additional navigation and entertainment, package however, I never used them. I place the gear selector in reverse and I slowly back out of my garage. I back into the street quick touch the remote for the garage giving it the signal the close. I place the gear selector in Drive, and I am on my way to work. There is no traffic at this hour so I am pulling into my parking space at fifteen till 6 am. I leave my car running while sprint over to the bus, and shut my air valves. I then walk around and climb inside. I attempt to crank the bus, now for those of you who know what I am talking about; a diesel Caterpillar engine is not the best thing to have on a cold morning. After about the fifth time the engine very roughly fires up, I reach over turn on my headlights, dome lights, and passenger/driver heaters. I then sprint back to my car to sit and wait for the bus to build up enough air pressure to be able to operate, which will take about 20 minutes. Since I am the farthest and largest route, I leave first in the morning. People don't usually start arriving till I am leaving the lot. I hear the loud sapoosh of air indicating that the bus is aired up and ready to go. So I turn off my car and run back to my bus. Now unlike cars just because the bus has been running for 20 min. does not mean it is warmed up, so there for the heater are still blowing freezing cold air. I place my gear selector in drive push in my park brake and I'm off to go get my first load of kids.