The girl with the red hair and the iPod. Reading a book. Let’s see. Something about physics. She’s like a pretty Irish girl. I bet she’s a good runner and aces all her exams. She probably makes a mean cherry pie too.
The old man with the beret. His hand is on his cane. He’s got his head down, like he’s thinking of a chess move. Maybe he is a champion, a quiet kind of winner, one who doesn’t gloat in your face. He probably likes shining shoes too. His shoes are way shiny. His home must be so organized.
Gentleman in the business suit. Trying to read the paper. I know he’s trying to. He hasn’t flipped the page in the past five minutes. And his eyes aren’t moving in that reading way. Maybe he’s thinking of the girlfriend he broke up with this morning. He regrets it now, knowing it was just a moment of weakness she gave into. If he took her back though, she might do it again. He’s a romantic with limits.
The train stops. Redhead girl picks her bag up and steps out of the train with a bounce in her step. Old man hoists himself up with his cane and briskly walks out. I don’t think he even needed that cane. Mr. Businessman folds his paper, tucks it under his arm and takes a deep breath. He moves toward the door, stops right before he steps over the ledge. The people behind him curse as they make their way around him, their bodies pushing him back inside.
He sits back down in the train, newspaper on his lap. He catches me looking. I smile and say, “You’re better off without her.”
It takes him by surprise. And then he says, “I know.”
They say we shouldn’t judge people by their appearances. But when you can really read people, what else is there to do on long train rides home?
(Written July 17, 2008. Photo Credit: loop_oh via Compfight cc)
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.