Everyone Knows

Short Story Day 141 of 365

The late night bus to Clark and State was nearly empty. Two riders in the back sitting across from each other had never met and probably would never meet again.

Ray was inebriated and he knew it. Casually dressed in a Bulls t-shirt and khaki shorts, he was talking smack politics and sports with the man across from him.

The other man, Jason, looked up only on occasion to acknowledge the drunk, but continued playing a game on his phone.

Jason wasn’t uncomfortable in the setting but wanted to be left alone.

Ray said, “Think they’ll be a war in the Middle East, Buddy?”

“No. There always is. One side wants peace and the other side wants peace, except the third side doesn’t want peace as much as the fourth side. And before you know it, there are four sides, half wanting peace, the other half wanting more peace.”

Ray nodded as if Jason’s words actually made sense and he began to say something but stopped as he was still processing the words.

“Ya think?” Ray said.

“Sure, it has to work that way,” Jason said. “No two sides want to get boxed in when there’s still that elusive peace on the table. Ever been to a Van Halen concert before?”

“Yeah, back in the day. Why?”

“Then you’ll know about peace, right?”

“Yeah,” Ray said. “Yeah, you’re absolutely right.”

“And you know what they say.” Jason said.

Leaning forward, Ray blinked and squinted.

“No, what do they say?” asked Ray.

“Hmm?” said Jason without looking up

“What do they say?”

Jason asked, “About what?”

“How do I know? You just said, ‘you know what they say’ and I was just asking what they say, er, said.”

“I thought you knew,” Jason said.

“How would I know? You brought it up.”

“But you do know what they say about all of this, don’t you?”

“Have you been drinking, Buddy?” Ray asked. “Because it sure seems like you’re not talking logic-like.”

“Welp, here’s where I get off,” Jason said as he pulled the stop cord to signal the driver to stop.

“See ya, my friend. Have a great evening,” said Jason.

Right before he stepped off the bus, Jason looked at Ray and said, “Just remember, you didn’t hear it from me.”