Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus Read Online Free PDF Page B

we’ll all take a trip.”
    Harriet sucked a deep breath and let it out slowly. “No, I … I want to do it myself. Now. And I know you mean well, dear, but you and Prudence will never find the time, and I’m not getting any younger.”
    “But mom, it’s ridiculous.”
    “Sorry. But that’s my plan. Kiss Humphrey on the nose for me and buy him a glazed donut. He deserves it after such a long trip.” She could hardly believe it was her speaking.
    “But, Mom, when —”
    Harriet closed her phone. She had never hung up on Henry — or anyone — before. She didn’t like the way it felt, but she suddenly needed to take a stand.
    She slapped the kitchen table. “I’m doing it. Starting tomorrow morning. Harriet Beamer is taking the bus, and no one can stop me.”
    That evening Harriet packed her rolling suitcase. It was purple with silver zippers. She packed only a few articles of clothing — two dresses, two pairs of capris and coordinating tops, her toothbrush, deodorant, things of that nature. She knew she would have to pack light. “I can always buy anything else I might need on the road,” she said as though Humphrey was still right next to her. She even looked down once or twice expecting to see him. She already made sure she had a full month’s supply of her blood-pressure medication, and while she was at the CVS she even purchased a rain poncho in a plastic package. She packed all her other clothes in boxes that Martha said she would ship later. She cried once whenshe found one of Max’s shirts stuffed in the back of a drawer. It still smelled like him, well, just a smidgen.
    Even after a long day of packing Harriet didn’t sleep well. She took an Excedrin PM. It didn’t help. Not much. She dozed and woke. Dozed and woke. The butterflies in her stomach had morphed into something that felt more like hopping toads. Her last night at home did not pass quickly, but it did pass. As the sun broke, Harriet’s mood rose along with it.
    “Okay, Lord,” she said as she dressed. “If I’m doing this, you’re coming with me.” She smiled. “I know, like you’d ever let me go alone.”
    Harriet moved her suitcase and tote to the entryway and took one final look at her now nearly empty house. She sniffed back tears and sighed deeply. “Good-bye, house. Good-bye Max. We had a great run.”
    After locking the front door for the last time, Harriet met up with Martha. She handed her the key. “Thanks for coming to the bus stop with me.”
    “You sure you have everything you need?” Martha asked.
    “I have my tote bag filled as full as I can with stuff that I might need to get to easily — you know, my cell phone, a book, my wallet, tissues, pictures of Humphrey and Max, stuff like that. And I packed everything else in this suitcase.”
    “Okay, but promise to call me and send me some postcards.”
    Harriet hugged Martha. “I will. And you can call me, you know.”
    “I will.”
    The bus to West Chester pulled up right on time, 7:10 a.m. Harriet froze the instant the door opened.
    “Go on,” Martha said.
    “I … I can’t. Oh my goodness. Am I really doing this?”
    “Yes.” Martha gave Harriet a slight nudge. “You’re really doing this.”
    “Are you coming, lady?” said the driver. “I got a schedule to keep.”
    Harriet couldn’t move. Her nerves tingled all over. “I … I don’t —”
    “You’re going,” Martha said, and she gave Harriet another nudge.
    Harriet stepped into the bus. She had her tote over her shoulder and used both hands to lug her suitcase up the three small steps. She cringed at each bump.
    “Cash or card?” the driver said.
    Harriet put two one-dollar bills into the bill acceptor and headed down the aisle. She dropped into the first seat she saw — a window seat. The bus pulled away. Harriet waved to Martha as a big tear slid down her cheek.
    At the next stop a large bald man with scary tattoos on both arms and his neck sat next to her.
    She smiled at him,