Evening Bus Stop Rhythm

I walked from the playground toward the main street and stepped up onto the long wooden bench at a neighborhood bus stop. The shelter was bathed in the steady amber glow of a nearby streetlamp, and the illuminated route panel gave off a soft digital hum. On the edge of the smooth timber plank, someone had left an empty, clean paper cup upside down. I approached quietly, centered my balance, and gave the paper rim a crisp downward tap with the heel of my shoe. The hollow 'thump' echoed neatly through the quiet glass booth. Finding the beat satisfying, I lightly stepped between the wooden slats, tapping along to the distant signal chime.