Paying it forward

This morning I couldn't figure out how to unlock the front door and the bus drove right by me on the other side of the glass. I went to the back door, but now it wouldn't lock behind me. Jesse's mom appeared on the other side and said not to worry, she'd take care of it and to have a nice day. As soon as I crossed the back gate my eyes filled with tears, but I didn't cry. The weather was really bad; it was rainy and windy and everywhere the ground was covered in ice. But the temperature was mild and the wind felt good so I was glad I missed the bus in the end - the long walk would let me clear my head. As I started to walk I took deep breaths, suppressing the overflow of emotions and trying to insert rational thoughts in their place. I was halfway to the metro when I slipped on a patch of ice and fell. Two people saw me and asked if I was okay and I said I was fine. I got up and my eyes filled with tears again, but I still didn't cry. I made it to the metro in one piece and used his change to pay for my ticket. When I got on I just sat there in a daze, thinking through everything again. I switched metros at Lionel-Groulx and two cellists were busking on the platform. I realized one of them was Avery, so I walked up and waved at him and he smiled and nodded back. I tossed the rest of Jesse's change into the open case. I stood there for a moment listening to the music and my eyes filled with tears again. But the metro came fast. By the time I was at Vendome, I felt fine again.