Chapter 80: Heading home

At this point it was late at night, the greyhound sleeper coach tickets were a little bit too pricey. However, it was much more comfortable rather than having to squat on a train ride. His parents recounted many stories of their journey's to their hometown.

They'd study and work for years before taking a flight to return home and see family. The hard sleeper cars and chairs were places where you'd strike up conversations with strangers and play cards.

When Jeffrey was little he remembered the smell of cigarette smoke and the mounds of sunflower seeds. The white winter snow covered the countryside and his parents would always have some sort of candy. Then for meals they'd have spring pancakes or cup of noodle they purchased from the food carts. Afterward they'd head to the dining car waiting in the cue to get some hot water.

This journey however, he'd be traveling alone. Many of those around him started putting the baggage on the rails above them. The lights were off, the silence of the bus allowed some passengers to doze off and sleep.

There were a few overhead lights on for those working on their laptops or to read, Jeffrey decided to stare out the large windows.

"Hopefully I won't have to visit the restroom often", thought Jeffrey.

He had a few bottles of water, but he didn't like the thought of having to disturb his next seat neighbor going to the restroom.

The bus sped down the highway and empty streets at night. Jeffrey could see the bright and prosperous city lights shining in the dark of night. So bright in fact one couldn't even see the stars, all that was visible was a sliver of a crescent moon.

The street lamps illuminated the dark asphalt road and the passing car driving late at night was all that he could see. Shadows of trees in the distance and silhouettes of the various bridges were barely visible.

the memory of his grandparents and relatives announcing, "会家了" (I'm home) was all Jeffrey thought about as his gaze softened and he too closed his eyes.

The greyhound bus only waking occupant was the driver. Wearing a thick outer jacket, his thoughts completely unknown to the passengers.