#73

day in, day out, 6:50am and 6pm, the same commute, the same rickety, dirty train, familiar, bored faces of the same strangers.
she was going to talk to him, she was! his stop was only 2 before hers, and sure, why not find an excuse to get off?
her notebook was full of their life together. the things they'd done. well, of course, once she gained the courage to find out his name.

page one: we took our first road trip together! we went to the beach, for a picnic, and he brought a little basket especially for collecting seashells. ... and when we got home, he bought a picture frame and pasted the shells on the front, placing a picture of the two of us inside. he is so sweet!
page five: my new haircut is horrible, horrible, horrible! he wants to come over tonight, but how can i let him see me? ...he came with pretty barrettes and box of hair dye, and together, we laughed and washed my hair in the big bathtub. i kept blinking and he swept the water drips off my face. it was so much fun!
page eight: meeting the family was wonderful! his little sister immediately wanted everything to do with me. his father kept nudging him, making me giggle. his mother was loving and baking and open- expressing how pleased she was that her son found such a talented and lovely girl. this could be it!

back to reality. the train stopped and he got up, making eye contact with no one. she jumped off behind him, rehearsing different lines in her head... should i fall and see if he helps me? ask directions? just introduce myself?
a woman walked his way. no, no, no. there's no way... he can't have a... he waved to the woman. she tossed her long blond hair and they kissed, a flash of a diamond taunting from her hand.