Incident on a Bus

It's Rosa Parks birthday 300-word flash

Incident on a Bus

“Where were you last night?” Milly asked.
“Walking home,” Rosa replied.
“Don’t you usually take the bus?”
“I do, but I got thrown off.”

“Why?”
“I was so tired, when this white person wanted my seat, I just couldn’t do it.”
“Did they arrest you?”
“No, just threw me off the bus in the middle of nowhere. Never returned my fare either.”
“So, what are you doing back at the bus stop?”
“I got money and I’ll pay my fare. If someone who ain’t black, wants my seat again, I will not move. I say if I pay, I’m entitled to a seat if it’s available.”
“They might git you thrown in jail this time!”
“Warmth, a bed and food, it could be worse.”

“Why you doin’ this, girl?”
“Because I’m tired of being treated like nothin’. If I don’t stand up for myself, who else will?”
Milly stared at Rosa with admiration.
“You’re braver than I am, Rosa Parks!”
“No, just tired of standin’ when there ain’t no seats other than the white section.”
“I think it’s more than that.”
“I tell you it ain’t”
“Okay, if you say so! But whatever it is, I admire you for it.”
“No need for that,” Rosa said.
“Maybe not, but I still do.”
Rosa climbed on the bus and found a seat. Unconsciously she braced herself to fight to keep it, since it was in the white section.