After navigating the inner-city traffic the bus pulled into the Race Dog bus transit terminal It was a flat one-level building with eight bays for other buses to pull into Once the bus came to a stop and the air brakes hissed the passengers stood up Ben heard people groan as they got to their feet Sitting still for five-plus hours was a long time and he too was happy to be able to stand and stretch his legs Carrying their small backpacks Ben and Lola stepped off the Race Dog bus and headed toward the terminal Above the door was a blue metal sign with the bus company’s running-dog logo on it Below the silver racing pooch it said WELCOME TO CHICAGO IL So are Grandma and Grandpa supposed to meet us out here or Lola began looking around They’re probably inside Ben replied He paused at the door for a moment to
listen The city was loud and alive with the sounds of traffic roaring along the streets and overhead on a freeway overpass As they walked inside they saw rows of benches where people were waiting for their departing buses or the arrival of friends and family It like the rest of the city was busy and seemingly hectic for a Thursday afternoon I don’t see them Lola said popping her earbuds out for the first time since their trip began Are we sure we’re at the right station Ben scanned the crowd There was a family of five huddled in front of a vending machine their suitcases piled around them A line of about twelve people stood at the ticket counters Moving quickly through the crowd and heading their way were two older people When they made eye contact with Ben they lifted up a small handmade sign On it were a series of Japanese
characters Yeah we’re at the right station Ben said smiling at his grandparents and waving After the hugs Grandma showed them the sign she was holding again Did you like the sign she asked Yeah Ben said knowing what was coming next It was really great Grandma narrowed her eyes and pointed You don’t know what it says He stared at the sign trying to make sense of the Japanese characters she’d written out It was no use He and Lola were supposed to practice and learn his culture’s language but it was daunting for someone who’d grown up speaking English in suburban Ohio No Ben admitted I don’t Sorry Grandma pointed out the characters and slowly said each word as if that would help him instantly learn Japanese Welcome to the Windy City she said
Oh okay Ben said smiling Very nice He liked that his grandparents were proud of their family’s culture even if Grandma and Grandpa hadn’t been to Japan since they were in their thirties We’ll work on that Grandma said She patted Ben’s arm a few times as if to tell him it would be all right Her smile was enough to make him smile right back at her Are we ready to go Grandpa asked Ben and Lola gathered their bags and followed their grandparents out of the station Seriously Lola asked Another bus We just got off one After a short wait at the bus stop Ben Lola and their grandparents were riding the bus through the streets of Chicago Ben took a window seat and looked at all of the buildings they passed by Some of them seemed three times as tall as the ones in
