Red Light

I was in my car, stopped at a red light, when a car in the lane next to mine drifted forward and struck the rear bumper of the vehicle in front of it. A man, looking loaded for bear, got out of the whacked car, and I braced myself to witness the inevitable confrontation. A woman jumped out of the offending vehicle and began a litany of apology. Maybe it was her obvious distress, or maybe it was because the bumper was unblemished, but the man's face immediately softened and he assured her -- with a smile! -- that it was fine, no harm done. Both got back into their cars, and I let out my breath, and that green light never looked so bright.