Haphazard Encounters: A Short Story Cycle (Chapter 1: Wilson)

I met this man in a wheelchair today. He asked my name. I said "Lydia," politely. He looked up and over his battered glasses at me, his eyes bore into my soul. He replied "Lydia, eh? You look more like a Michelle to me." I took offense. I didn't show it. Just peered into the green-grey cesspools that were his eyes and stood limply, praying the bus would come trampling around the corner in the next few seconds. When it didnt, the man rolled closer and i averted my gaze, suddenly aware of my throbbing uncomfortability. The man calmly offered his grubby hand, "Well, Lydia-Michelle, my name's Wilson. Pleased to meet your acquaintance...i, i mean make your acquaintance, young lady." My eyes lingered at his hands for a few seconds, calculating the potential health risks involved with even grazing his filthy digits, then my compassionate right hand extended itself to meet his and shook heartily. Funny, i thought, that's how i lot of things worked in my life; sympathy overpowering rationale. Wilson grinned toothlessly and released our grip. My rationale looked at my right hand, then at my sympathy and shook its head, sinking back into the depths of me. Right then I knew that this wouldnt just be a one time disease-exchanging encounter with Wilson. "Oh no," my sympathy said, "you just wait and see. Wilson will be as kind as can be." My rationale stared at me, raging at my sympathy's Seussical manner about the matter. It jerked my body away from the man, sending my feet stumbling haphazardly over the horrendous gashes that consumed our city's sidewalks and crashing into the pay phone pole, almost severing what was left of the phone line it was already holding onto for dear life. After I'd recovered from the collision and composed my myself, I turned around to see the bus stop deserted. My rationale sighed, comforted by the absence of Wilson's grim frame. My sympathy was saddened, but she giggled, knowing wholeheartedly she'd get her chance at redemption soon enough.