Left Behind

On a precious few Tuesdays, when there are no problem sets to go over, nothing to finish up at work, and no review sessions to attend, I get to leave campus early. It takes so much out of me, though, I wonder if it's worth it. No matter what time class ends (3:15, 3:20, 3:22), or what I do after class- head straight out, parting chatter, or, like this week- stop by the locker (I have a locker! it's like a real school), check my mail, bid my farewells, apologize for leading someone down the wrong path on a test question- I always see the bus pulling up the minute I step outside, still a good block away from the stop. Much like the good Lord, the shuttle bus schedule is mysterious and beyond comprehension. And the buses do not tarry. So I run for it. Have you ever 'run' down a sidewalk outside an academic hospital during the day? Do you know how many wheelchairs and trees and waddling old people in canes there are to delicately dodge (because courtesy always comes first)? I feel like I'm in a Jackie Chan market chase scene every single time. And do you know how embarrassing it is to be the only person who's out of breath and panting on the bus? I do.