Five Months

October 
My bag digs into my shoulders like two rocks sitting on my shoulders. My back is seconds away from giving out. I could hear the clinking of the coins from the side pocket, mocking my slow pace. My bag seems to be weighing me down. But if I didn’t run, I was never going to make the bus. I tried to run as fast as possible just as I saw the bus rumbling down the street, but my shoelace seemed to have a mind of its own and came undone. I cursed. Almost there, almost.  

November 
This time, I was going to be smarter. I adjusted the books inside my bag to evenly distribute the weight. I timed my walk to the bus stop. By the time I reached the stop, though, I was still huffing and puffing. The bag was just too heavy. My shoulders ached, and I thought, maybe I need a locker. 

December 
I didn’t feel like packing my bag. I just stuffed everything inside -loose papers, notebooks, whatever I could grab. I struggled to zip the bag closed, but it held. To my surprise, the walk felt easier. 

January 
A new year means time for resolutions. I was going to be focused this year. I was going to pack my bag the night before and make sure I left on time to walk to the bus stop. I was going to give myself time and breaks during my walk to let my shoulders recover. 

February 
She was waiting at the same bus stop. She’s new to the neighbourhood - carrying a small tote bag with a cute flower sticking out. She notices me staring at the flower. 

“A gift from my mother,” she said softly, almost smiling. “I’m just glad to be out and about again. Where’s your stop?”

We get on the bus together. Make very polite small talk. She sees me wrestling with my bulky backpack. 

The bus jolts forward. Three stops go by. Then five more. It’s almost time for me to get down.
“This is me,” she said, stepping toward the door. Then she glanced back at me, at the bulky bag pinned against my knees.

“You know, if that backpack seems to be bothering you so much, you should switch to a smaller one. Or better yet, just get rid of a few things.”