Jose slipped into his seat on the crowded bus and closed his eyes, hoping that the long journey ahead would be done as quickly as possible. As soon as the bus doors shut and the driver revved the engine, Jose felt an abrupt jolt against the back of his seat.
Turning back, he saw a small boy, maybe six or seven years old, seated in the row behind him. The child was grinning mischievously as he kicked Jose’s seat once more. “Hey, could you please quit kicking my seat?” Jose inquired in a pleasant tone, hoping to convince the boy to stop before things escalated.
The boy’s mother sat next to him, engrossed in her phone. She ignored her son’s actions and did not look up or reprove him. The boy’s grin spread as he prepared to strike another powerful kick to the back of Jose’s seat.