“Yes, and I would like to know who's asking,” he replied, watching the stranger tipping his head back so their line of sight was pushed, the road bustling with traffic and smoke and noise.
“I don't mean to sound rude. I was hoping for some peace and quiet."
He had to clamp a hand over his mouth to stop himself from coughing violently. From this boy's formal use of his name, the guess was he wanted something. Strangers often ignored names at waysides. Well, at least the bus would come soon.