The Bridge
The woman closes her eyes and wipes away the newly fallen tears from her cheeks.
"I'll come off the ledge, but only if you promise not to call the cops on me. I'm in enough trouble as it is." She appears shaky but self assured as she looks at you awaiting a response.
"I promise I won't call the police. Just please, come away from the ledge."
The woman gives one final look towards the horizon, then eases herself over the guard rail and turns to face you. It's impossible to hide your relief at this gesture, and you exhale loudly as you rub the sweat from your forehead.
"Okay, let's go sit down at the bus stop and talk about this." The two of you make your way down the slanted sidewalk and sit down in unison on the bus stop bench. Before the woman can start talking, you ask the question that has been playing out in your mind since this whole ordeal began;
"So, why were you going to jump?" The woman kicks at some gravel beneath her feet and looks towards the sky momentarily. Opening her mouth to answer your question, she begins fiddling nervously with her coat zipper and it's obvious to you that she's nervous.
"You know, I don't really want to discuss something like this with a stranger." You're dissapointed but use your better judgment and leave the issue alone.
"Is there anyone you'd like me to call for you? A friend or something?" The woman grows noticeably relaxed at your offer and gives you her best friend's phone number. You jot it down quickly on the back of your hand, then take the cell phone she's placed in your lap. You walk to a spot behind the bus stop, where the rush-hour traffic is less invasive and noisy. Who do you call?
"I'll come off the ledge, but only if you promise not to call the cops on me. I'm in enough trouble as it is." She appears shaky but self assured as she looks at you awaiting a response.
"I promise I won't call the police. Just please, come away from the ledge."
The woman gives one final look towards the horizon, then eases herself over the guard rail and turns to face you. It's impossible to hide your relief at this gesture, and you exhale loudly as you rub the sweat from your forehead.
"Okay, let's go sit down at the bus stop and talk about this." The two of you make your way down the slanted sidewalk and sit down in unison on the bus stop bench. Before the woman can start talking, you ask the question that has been playing out in your mind since this whole ordeal began;
"So, why were you going to jump?" The woman kicks at some gravel beneath her feet and looks towards the sky momentarily. Opening her mouth to answer your question, she begins fiddling nervously with her coat zipper and it's obvious to you that she's nervous.
"You know, I don't really want to discuss something like this with a stranger." You're dissapointed but use your better judgment and leave the issue alone.
"Is there anyone you'd like me to call for you? A friend or something?" The woman grows noticeably relaxed at your offer and gives you her best friend's phone number. You jot it down quickly on the back of your hand, then take the cell phone she's placed in your lap. You walk to a spot behind the bus stop, where the rush-hour traffic is less invasive and noisy. Who do you call?