The Most Beautiful

A young woman sits alone silently weeping on the bus like a flower prettily wilted against the windowpane So he sidles over in that funny way he has so British and proper buttoned up tight sits next to her, leaning over and confidingly says “I’m sittin’ next to the Most Beautiful girl in the world!” No pickup or come-on here only innocent opinion stated matter-of-fact like a little child “Not like” she mutters and instantly regrets it without looking she can feel the bewildered hurt upon his face So they sit in silence the rest of the ride side by side hot shame flowing down her face calm confusion clouding his Some time later he steals her hand insistently says- “I am!” And swallowing hard she squeezes his hand wordlessly leaving the Most Beautiful man