Claude left the banks

I had seen him multiple times in the bus stop. I saw him among his friends and most often saw him in the best vibe laughing, moving his shoulders so timidly as if he paid full attention to the conversations. I was a nurse taking public transportation to my hospital. I saw him on that particular day too. I saw another youngster in their company often. He was quiet but laughing and listening to the music all the time. I saw him at times taking small dance moves too. I paid attention to him mainly because of his friend who appeared like a model and with contagious laugh. I laughed at times with them as if mimicking I was looking at the phone and laughing enjoying some funny reels. The vibe was that contagious and I could not help myself even if I was an introvert in general.
He had an expensive headphone which he carried always. His friend had a similar head phones too. Why I paid attetionto all those details which I was not sure.
When I was at the bus stop a group of youngsters approached them and asked for headphones but both of them refused. There were some cursing and yelling and small fit fights. The group dispersed quickly as if they realized there will be a 911 call if they continue the disruption of a peaceful environment like bus stop.
I was working in a public hospital those days. I was working six days a week as I had a huge expense of my wedding coming in ayear.
When I went to the unit I saw this youngster who was comparatively quieter than the other one. He was in the bed with neck collar and stitches on his face and left frontal scalp area .
I could not get the story behind the injury as privacy laws prevents you from asking to colleagues. I really yearned to know the details. I respected the protocols and kept that urge to myself.
There comes a lady who is very close friend of my friend in my gym. She said hi to me. I asked why she was there and she said her son was in criticsl condition after some one attacked them when returning from college after night classes.

He had both mandibles broken and a hair line fracture at left maxillary area. He had six hour long jaw surgery and his mouth is shut with metal wires to stabilize the bones after surgery. He is in clear diet now. He can be on full fluids later on.

I pondered for little while abot her son Mtthew. Matthew is a youth the promise of the whole world and why he has to go through this. I tried to defocus and asked about his sisters to his mother. Her face told me everything as if we both were trying so hard that this never happened. I hugged her got her a sandwich and a twelve veggie soup from the cafe.
When I walked out of the hospital I was thinking no one is stranger in this world as a claude ripped of from the banks will travel but how far we all are connected to the same threads called suffering, resilience and hope.