The Name Tag

I wrote story because I love watching murder mysteries. I find it intriguing and worrisome that most murders aren't solved.

• Short story

								
The Name Tag
Written by Jodi Coote
“Ugh!” She thought as the bus doors opened. “Just keep your head down. Just keep your head down!” She repeated as she fumbled to find her bus card to tap. 
“Hi, Michelle!” The bus driver loudly exclaimed as Michelle tapped her card. The short, skinny bus driver exposed all his teeth, trying to seem inviting, but gave her the creeps. Michelle heard the card beep as it touched the card reader. She kept her head down, avoiding eye contact as he tried to greet her. This greeting ritual started two weeks ago as she boarded the bus in her uniform. Her name tag had been exposed, revealing her name, Michelle, a name everyone who boarded the bus now knew because the driver made it his duty only to greet her loudly, and now, by name. 
Michelle quickly shuffled to her seat, counting every stop before hers. It was thirteen, to be exact. She dreaded boarding as much as she did deboarding. She knew exactly what was going to happen. He will brandish his awkward smile and scream goodbye to Michelle while waving his blue medical glove that was one size bigger than his hand. He would then wait for her to cross the street so he could watch her walk away. Every time she got off the bus, she could feel his gaze. She hated that he even knew the direction she was heading to get home. Three more stops til she got off. Her heart started to pound out of her chest. She held her MTB card tightly in her hand so she could quickly tap her card and hopefully disappear before his voice violated her ear canal. 
Ding, the bell sounded as she pressed the request stop button. Michelle waited for the small crowd to form so she could blend in with them. *boop*, *boop*, *boop*, the cards sounded as she inched her way toward the front door to deboard. “Bye, Michelle!” the bus driver screamed as she placed the MTB card on the machine. *boop* Michelle scurried off the bus and began to cross the street. She could see the blue in her periphery and knew he was waving and watching. 
Michelle held her breath until she heard the bus’s engine fire up and disappear as it turned right from her street. Michelle knew she couldn’t let this behaviour continue. Obviously, her ignoring him wasn’t loud enough to deter him. As she walked, she could feel her anxiety lift. The grey clouds seemed to instantly part as she walked and breathed in the crisp autumn air. 
Usually, Michelle would head home to her one-bedroom apartment and follow her routine; disrobe - a practice she held onto since COVID, bathe, put on her sweats, reheat her meal-prepped dinner- this week was chicken breast with broccoli and mashed potatoes, and turn on whatever show she had on her roster, today was Pop the Balloon or Find Love on YouTube. Today, her anxiety got the best of her, so she decided to take the scenic route home. This route allowed her to grab a quick bite at the local ice cream shop before she headed off to her mundane life. This also allowed her to support the local independent stores in her area and see Jeffery, the ice cream shop owner. *ding-ding* The bell chimed as Michelle pushed the golden door knob. Jeffery began to turn to greet her. “Welcome to J’s Ice Cream and Coffee Shop. How...” Jeffery’s piercing blue eyes met Michelle’s. “Oh, hey there, Michelle. How are you?” Michelle could feel her throat tighten with excitement. “H... Hi... “Michelle cleared her throat, “Hey, Jeffery.” She stammered. Jeffery looked exceptionally handsome today. His clothing embraced the Autumn season with his red and black flannel long-sleeve shirt, slim-cut jeans and dark brown boots. Michelle scanned his body quickly, or so she thought. She admired every muscle being accentuated; he had recently started working out, and it was showing.
“Are you okay?” Jeffery asked. 
“Um, yes, yes, I am just having a bit of a day.” Michelle snapped back into reality. Her eyes travelled upward and met Jeffery’s piercing blue eyes.
“Want to talk about it?” He asked with a concerned face.
“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m just being annoyed by my Wednesday bus driver.”
“How?”
“A few weeks ago, I got a new bus driver on my route home. I only said my usual thank you when I got off the bus. After that, this man made it his mission to try to engage in conversation. He has asked me for my name and number. I have refused his advances. Last week, I forgot to remove my name tag, and now he keeps giving me this creepy smile and yelling my name. I ignore him. I just wish he would take the hint.”
“That is strange behaviour. Why don’t you put in a complaint?”
“I don’t want to make trouble.”
“You are a paying customer. The company should step in.”
Michelle sighed. “You are right!”
“Here’s what. I have a new Frothy Eggnog drink I am creating. How about I make one for you on the house in exchange for your honest feedback?”
“I’ll take it.” Michele smiled while she admired his physique as he turned to the blender.
***
Michelle stared at her computer screen. She had her reservations about involving the transit company. However, Jeffery was right. He would not take a hint, so she decided to take matters into her own hands. She would not be a victim. She did a quick Google search for the customer complaint number. She dialled the number on the screen. “Metropolitan Transit Bus Division, how may I help you?” the woman’s cheerful voice greeted. Michelle sipped her Frothy drink. “Hi, I would like to make a complaint.”
***
“Hey, Ray, Can I talk to you for a second?” the supervisor shouted as Ray passed her office. Ray rolled his eyes before he turned around with his big fake smile. Hey, Cassy, how are you doing?” Ray hated Cassy’s office; it smelled like old coffee, junk food, and cigarettes.
Cassy looked up and leaned back in her coffee-stained chair, the crumbs from her Everything bagel falling from her lips. “Listen, we got a customer complaint that you are harassing a passenger.” 
Ray continued to smile, trying to soften his eyes to look convincing. “Me? I would...” 
Cassy cut him off. “Look, I already reviewed the tapes. Quit harassing this Michelle chick. You are at work to transport our passengers safely. This isn’t your pick-up playground. Cut it, or I will be forced to take further disciplinary actions, including dismissal. Got it?”
“Got it!” Ray held his grin. “Can I go and grab my bus?” Cassy shooed him away with her hand. Her chair squeaked as she readjusted her rotund body to her computer screen. Ray’s smile fell as he turned down the hall. He couldn’t believe Michelle would do this to him. This was his place of work. She crossed a line, but he would straighten this all out; after all, it’s Wednesday. 
Ray pulled the blue and white bus to the Billy Bishop International Airport bus stop. He engaged the bus’ emergency parking brake and pushed the lever to open the entrance doors. He could see Michelle in line through the side mirror. Her dark blue Horizon Airlines uniform, with its blue blazer and pencil skirt, hugged her broad hips, accentuating her curvaceous figure. Ray smiled, forgetting the conversation he had with his supervisor. “Good afternoon.” “Good afternoon.” Ray greeted every customer until he reached Michelle. He fell silent and waited for her MTB card to beep as it tapped the machine. He began greeting the passenger behind her, “Good Afternoon.” He watched her clutch her cell phone, frantically swiping as she held it up to her face while she found a seat. Ray smiled; he couldn’t stay mad at Michelle. 

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