Leon drove slowly, his window down, the cool air a balm against the nervous energy thrumming under his skin.
His head was clear, his body felt strong, but his mind was in a strange, reflective state.
He stopped at a red light and watched the city wake up. He saw a man in an apron meticulously arranging fruit at a small street-side stall, a young couple laughing as they shared a scooter, their hair flying in the wind, a student with a backpack slung over her shoulder, lost in the music from her headphones.
A series of strange questions flooded Leon's mind. How do they live? Not in a condescending way, but with genuine, curious wonder.
The fruit vendor—was he worried about making rent this month?
The couple on the scooter—were they saving up for a small vacation?
The student—was she stressed about her upcoming exams?
They had normal problems, normal lives.
