Riding the Bus with My Sister Paper

Brittany Biller

Slippery Rock University

Summer 2011

Riding the Bus with my Sister

Summary of Riding the Bus with my Sister

Riding the Bus with my Sister is an insightful and inspiring memoir by Rachel Simon that recalls the year of experiences she had while visiting her sister Beth who is a women with mild mental retardation. The story begins before Rachel visits her sister and discusses how she is engrossed in her work and nothing else. She is alone and living for her job, as a writer. One January day she decides to drive and visit her colorful sister Beth and give her the holiday present she bought for her in person. Rachel only wants to stay a little while. She attends Beth’s care meeting with three of Beth’s caseworkers Amber, Vera and Olivia. Before Rachel leaves to return to her life and job, Beth persuades her into riding the buses for one year. Rachel knows she needs to do this not only for her sister but for herself.

Starting in February and lasting for one year Rachel travels on buses with Beth and experiences her sister’s life. She sleeps on Beth’s living room floor when she comes to visit and is awoken much before daybreak to meet the buses. Throughout her journey she meets many interesting drivers including Tim (The Professor), Jacob (The Pilgrim), Bailey (The Optimist), and Estella (The Earth Mother). Over the year Rachel learns why each driver chose buses and how they see driving as so much more than just transporting people from point A to point B. The drivers are from all walks of life and all make their travels on the bus a fun and life changing ride. Some give insights; others give assistance to the less fortunate, while others make their routes a comedy shoe. All of the drivers who Beth travels with listen to and support her travels. Some of the drivers however, do not feel so good about Beth, often arguing that she should not be allowed in the driver’s rooms. Some drivers also become annoyed with her on the buses and end their...