He fixed his concentrated gaze forward, plotting his retaliation. He was so caught up in his plotting that he didn’t even detect the kicks hitting his seat, “thump, thump, thump.” After a few minutes, he had devised a clever strategy to communicate with the mother and boy.
With haste, he removed his water bottle and began to fill a glass with water. Jose could feel his body tensing up as the bus made its smooth way along. The water in the cup felt cold against his fingertips as he held it.