GRACE

My hand came in contact with my throat which was feeling extra dry. I tried moistening my mouth with some saliva but that didn’t do any good. I needed water.

And I needed to get off this seat before my buttocks became flatter.

“Mr. Roberto.” The fairly young man who looked way older than his age because of his grumpiness and mostly because of his receding hairline, sneered at me, and I got an answer before I could ask my question. But I asked anyway. “Can I get a bottle of water, please?”

“How many times do I have to tell you, I don’t...”

“... like strangers touching your...