For the past three days a very peculiar character has been sitting next to me on the bus on my way home from work. The first day, he was wearing a Silent Planet shirt and listening to the new Hotel Books album. I pointed at his phone and smiled giving him a thumbs up. He took his earbud out and said, "This album is amazing!" We got talking about music and poetry and really hit it off. I went home smiling about how I won't be sitting on the bus alone anymore and that I now had someone I could talk to.

The next day he sat next to me wearing the same shirt. The one that said, "Heal us of our homophobia, addiction, religion, sexism, racism, war." I told him I loved that shirt and have the same one. This led to deeper conversation about what's going on in our world. All the hate, the violence and the division. We talked about how we're both not really shocked about it all because we both know that hatred and rebellion have been going on since the garden of Eden. We talked about the Black Lives Matter movement and how we both agree that though this statement is true it is only fueling racial division. We discussed how the media is breeding fear and spreading negativity to stir up a war. He said to me,

"It's sickening that they're using lies, fear and negativity to make money."

I said, "And it's sickening that we all fall victim to it. We are so distracted and afraid that we can't think straight anymore."

He replied, "Exactly, everyone is just screaming at each other, even Christians, suffering has become a competition where people think they are more entitled to justice because they have suffered more. I wish we could see that all of us have suffered and that we all bleed the same. We're all in the same boat and need love."

"I agree."

He added, "Only love can put out the fires of hate. I want so badly to love people no matter who they are or where they have been. I want so badly to be someone who brings peace and unity. I don't want to keep shouting like everyone else and only elevate the situation. I want to be a presence of humility and meekness."

"Me too," I said. "We don't need more laws; no politician or government policy can fix this."

"Exactly," he said. "Well here's my stop. It was good talking to you. I'll probably see you tomorrow."

"Sounds good," I said, "Have a good night."

The third day something crazy happened I'll never forget. My new friend came and sat next to me on the bus just like he had the two days before. Only he had a heaviness about him, something wasn't right and I could feel the tension in the air.

I asked him what was wrong and he said, "They shot my dad last night."

I froze, I felt sick to my stomach and almost choked on my tongue.

"My dad was a cop. One of the good ones. But lately, I could tell, he was afraid."

I couldn't bring myself to say anything in that moment except, "I'm sorry."

I looked up as the bus stopped and the next group of people came on. It all happened so fast, my friend bolted towards the last man that came on the bus with his fists flying. The black man hit the floor of the bus unable to turn around quick enough to defend himself. I rushed towards my friend and grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked him off the man screaming, "What are you doing!? Who are you!?" He was still wearing the same shirt, only now it was stained with splatters of blood. He looked up at me with desperation, I could see that love and hate were at war in his eyes. He said, "I am you."