All Is Forgiven

So, in order to get to my office, I have to take a shuttle from my parking lot to the hospital. Yes, a shuttle...well, its more like a bus but essentially it runs as a shuttle service for students and employees. As with many institutions, new employees are the bottom of the barrel so we park in a lot which I like to call, "IOWA." Yes, it is a long standing joke that when Jess and Andy moved from Lincoln Square/Lakeview area to Albany Park in Chicago, we referred to their new location as IOWA, meaning very, very, very, far away. In actuality it was no more than a mile or so, but I digress.

So I am on the bottom of the parking list, hoping to for someone to retire so that I may move up the transportation chain and park closer to the hospital. Until then, I park in Iowa and take the shuttle. So, on my first day (almost two months ago) I rode the full 5pm shuttle back to my lot. I unfortunately had to stand and hold onto a bar, and was quite nervous as it was my first ride. The bus driver decided to drive like a maniac and took a turn very fast. Needless to say, I lost my balance and landed on a woman's foot. Of course everyone around saw me sway and falter and smash her toes, so I was terribly embarrassed. I immediately turned crimson, apologized profusely only to be met with a look of death. The woman was PISSED. My bus stop came and she got off right behind me. I squeezed out one more weak apology and crawled to my car.

Ever since then, I have avoided her like the plague. If I see her I look down, I try to sit at a different end of the bus, everything so that she doesn't hurt me. Well, yesterday, I was sitting quietly on the bus. It was full but not packed, with many available seats. I noticed "Foot lady" board the bus and I immediately tensed. She walked down the aisle and decided on a seat...RIGHT NEXT TO ME! I was nervous and smiled, and was greeted with a warm smile and "hello." Relief swept over me.

She likes me! She really likes me! She's forgiven me for ruining her pedicure! She no longer hates me for breaking her toe bones!

Relief is mine....or she totally doesn't remember the "foot" episode and was just being friendly.

I think she forgives me.