Bull Bus

A waft of earthy scrumptiousness settles me in.

Soft, faint music from behind. 

Traffic moving in unison to my right, yet whizz by my left.

The wheels hit a bump: Da-thump, Da-thump!

A puff of cool air spits on my forehead. 

Sunbeams reveal dust gathering on the dashboard, some dancing in the light.

Giggly squeals from behind… My heart smiles.

Breathing in deeply, letting the heaven-scent of robust coffee fill my senses, I reach for the dry cup that sucks away moisture from my hands and bring it to my lips. The mist from the hot drink tickles my lip as I take a sip of delectable heaven. 

More giggles, but the whizzing starts to fade.

Reds, oranges, yellows on the trees - painted against the clear blue sky - line the side of the highway, taking my breath away and leaving my eyes moist. The skyscrapers smudged on the painted sky in the distance slowly become crisper. 

Brake lights illuminate all lanes.

“Bull Bus, Mama!” she sings from behind.

“Yes, baby girl, it’s a school bus! I see it, too!”

Rubbing the steering wheel, a smile invades my face despite the fact that we’re submerged in rush hour. 

This week we asked you to take us somewhere. Where was up to you -fiction or creative nonfiction- but we asked you to use your words to paint the setting as vividly as possible. In 200 words.