A TRAIN TO CATCH

 

It was the kind of day that made you want to stay in bed. No good reason to start the day, but the paycheck, and that so measly, one had to wonder ‘Was it worth it?’ Damn frustrating, but he knew the outcome, and snoozed it ‘til he could no more. A chilly shower in his cold flat, got dressed, coat and hat, grabbed a banana, and headed down the hall. The day did not disappoint, as bleak and dark as he’d imagined, and the bite of the wind, out-the-door, was merciless. The line at the coffee shop, too long, so he hit the convenience store next door, which was more what he could afford anyhow. On the way out the door he passed the girl, and she stopped him in his tracks. He held the door open, and once she entered, didn’t know what to do. If he left there’d be a good chance he’d not see her again, and he wanted to. So he ducked back in and pretended to be most interested in the doughnuts and muffins, even though they were at least a day old, and lingered in the display case, waiting for a desperate buyer. She bought a caffeinated shot, and was quick to head back out.  He followed, feeling a bit like some pervert, but what choice did he have? At Sixth Street she turned right, which was the direction opposite of which he needed to go. If he missed his train he’d be forty minutes late while waiting for the next. Still he followed, now picking up the pace in attempt to catch up. When he finally did, he caught her off guard, because she was in a rush too, and was not prepared for this ‘stalker’.

“Excuse me, Miss, I know you’re late but could I have your number? I’d love to talk, and maybe take you for a date…lunch…something easy, maybe a drink after work…or coffee?”

She was taken aback but flattered.

“I’ve got a train to catch and not much time…” he pressed on desperately.

“In that case, you give me your number, and I’ll think about it,” she responded. He liked that, and fumbled for his card, not easy with a gloved hand, one holding his coffee, but he managed.

“I’ve got to run, but I hope to hear from you.”

“We’ll see,” she said, with a smile he deemed promising.

“Nice meeting you…” she looked at the card, “Raymond…”

“It’s Ray, I…I gotta run. Your name?”

“Laverne.”

“Laverne. Okay, I gotta go. Call me! Bye.” and he sprinted  desperately for his train, his heart full of the possibilities.

She smiled and tucked the card away. It was a flattering gesture, but with a husband and two kids at home, she’d never call, but all-in-all, a good start to Rachel's day.

Once seated on the workday train, he caught his breath, and then it dawned on him;
 
"Laverne is a bullshit name..."

V