The Way It Should Be, And Sometimes Is

I took this just moments before an elderly couple arrived at the bus stop today. They were probably in their seventies. The woman was aggressive, a little too loud, a bit wild even, when she asked if they could get to 39th Street on this bus.  He, however, he was calm and took his time getting around. He seemed so fragile. The two of them worked well together. He quietly listened and did as she instructed. Sit here while I check the bus schedule. Take your blood pressure. Do you want some water? This man, this white-haired old man, he was so willing to be led by this woman. He smiled pleasantly and thanked me when I told him that the bus was approaching. As he slowly got up and made his way to the boarding area, his wife was halfway up the block asking even more strangers for confirmation that this was the right bus. I watched as she whipped around to head back toward us. Jimmy, this is our bus! This is our bus! Jimmy!

Madison Avenue.
Today.*

A friend once candidly said that she'll be there to wipe her husband's ass when the time comes. As unpleasant and crass as this may sound, in the context of our conversation, it was a very endearing statement. This conversation is what popped into my head as I watched this loud, bossy woman direct her husband. She was clearly an excellent caretaker, right there by his side to make sure that he wouldn't miss a beat. It was a nice part of my day, to witness something so ordinary, yet so special. This, right here in front of me, was the classic story. A couple committed to looking after one another. This is it. And it was beautiful in its mundaneness.

When the bus pulled up, the rest of us lined up by the door, but none of us boarded. We patiently waited for Jimmy to make his way over and climb on first. Of course, his wife stepped up before him. She had to ask the driver if the bus would bring them to their destination. Twice.

* If you see an eerie face in the picture, it's of Henry Cavill in a scrolling bus stop advertisement for the new Superman movie, Man of Steel {+}.  Frightening how the impression turned out here through the glass reflection, but he's actually quite good-looking and the advertisement is not scary one bit.