Ten Word Tale (expanded)

It honestly wasn't her fault; her bus had pulled up to the station fifteen minutes late only to pull around the corner into the largest traffic jam the city had seen in decades. Almost an hour later (and only four blocks forward) she had stepped off the bus and walked home. It never occurred to her to call him, or that he might still be waiting. No one waits for over an hour, and she could always apologize next time she saw him.

He swung his legs back and forth on the cool cement bench. It was getting dark, and already children were pulling on their parents' arms for just five more minutes, and couples were walking hand-in-hand back to warm apartments. Pursing his lips he breathed out and watched as his breath swam cloudy through the air. I won't check what time it is, he said, I can wait a little longer.

The sun rose slowly, bringing with it a new day and the possibility of her arrival. The soles of his shoes had long been scuffed away, and the elbows of his jackets were worn from continued stretching. Autumn had passed and winter had trailed slowly behind, leaving spring to take the stage for a few months. It was early, and the morning brisk and cool. The boy sighed, and slowly released his breath through pursed lips, watched the sunlit air and saw nothing.