Running Late

The San Francisco fog, a perpetual gray blanket, had finally decided to lift, revealing a sliver of a hesitant, pale sun. But Matt and Maggie were oblivious. They were in a frantic, orchestrated chaos, a dance of misplaced keys, forgotten chargers, and a general sense of impending doom.

They both lived busy lives. Matt was a tax preparer and CPA, Maggie was a teacher and after-school tutor for at-risk kids. They desperately needed this vacation.

“We’re late!” Matt bellowed, his voice echoing down the narrow hallway of their second-floor apartment. He was a whirlwind of flailing arms and anxious energy, a stark contrast to Maggie, who, though equally hurried, maintained a veneer of calm.

“I know, I know!” Maggie, or Mags as Matt affectionately called her, responded, her voice tight. She was wrestling with her overstuffed carry-on, its zipper threatening to burst under the strain of a last-minute sweater and a book she swore she’d read on the train. “Just give me a second to find my… where are my sunglasses?”

“Sunglasses? Mags, we’re going to Richmond, not the Riviera!” Matt exclaimed, his voice laced with exasperation. He was already halfway down the stairs, his suitcase thumping against the worn wooden steps. “We need to get to 4th and King, like, five minutes ago!”

Their destination, the Caltrain station at 4th and King, was a mere fifteen-minute walk, but in their current state of disarray, it felt like a cross-country trek. They were supposed to be on the 9:15 train, a leisurely start to their long-awaited vacation to Richmond, Virginia, a trip they’d meticulously planned for months.

“They’re prescription!” Maggie yelled, her voice muffled as she rummaged through her bag. “I can’t see without them!”

Matt sighed, a sound that carried the weight of a thousand missed appointments. He knew better than to argue. Maggie’s eyesight was notoriously poor, and her sunglasses were as essential as her train ticket. He retraced his steps, finding her standing in the middle of their living room, a picture of frazzled determination.

“Here,” he said, pulling them from the top of her head, where they were perched precariously. “They were on your head the whole time.”

Maggie blinked, a flush rising on her cheeks. “Oh. Right. Of course.”

With her sunglasses firmly in place, she finally managed to zip her carry-on, the sound a triumphant snap in the chaotic symphony of their departure. They rushed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind them, the click echoing in the quiet morning.

The streets of San Francisco were just beginning to stir. The fog, though retreating, still clung to the edges of buildings, casting a soft, ethereal glow. They sprinted down the steep incline of their street, their suitcases bumping and rattling behind them.

“We should have called an Uber,” Matt panted, his breath coming in short bursts.

“No time!” Maggie retorted, her own breath ragged. “Besides, this is good exercise.”

Matt shot her a skeptical look. “Exercise? We’re going on vacation to relax, not run a marathon.”

They reached the bottom of the hill and turned onto Townsend Street, the Caltrain station looming in the distance. The clock on the station’s tower read 9:12. Three minutes. It seemed impossible.

They dashed across the street, dodging early morning commuters and delivery trucks. The station entrance was a blur of hurried footsteps and echoing announcements. They pushed through the revolving doors, their suitcases clattering on the tiled floor.

“Platform three!” Matt shouted, consulting his phone. “Richmond train!”

They sprinted towards the platform, their hearts pounding in unison with the rhythmic clang of the station’s bells. They reached the platform just as the train doors were closing.

“Wait!” Maggie yelled, her voice hoarse.

A kind-looking conductor, seeing their frantic approach, held the doors open. They scrambled aboard, their suitcases bumping against the seats. They collapsed into the nearest empty seats, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.

“We made it,” Maggie whispered, a smile spreading across her face.

“Barely,” Matt replied, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. He looked at the clock on his phone. 9:14. One minute to spare.

They sat in silence for a moment, catching their breath and letting the adrenaline subside. The train began to move, slowly pulling out of the station. The city skyline receded into the distance, replaced by the industrial landscape of the Bay Area.

“I can’t believe we were so close to missing it,” Maggie said, shaking her head. “What were we even doing?”

“I don’t know,” Matt admitted, chuckling. “We’re usually so organized.”

“Well, we’re here now,” Maggie said, leaning back in her seat. “That’s all that matters.”

They settled into their seats, the gentle rocking of the train lulling them into a sense of calm. The stress of their rushed departure began to fade, replaced by a sense of anticipation.

They had planned this trip for months, a much-needed escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. They were going to explore the historic streets of Richmond, visit museums, and eat their way through the city’s renowned food scene. They were going to relax, reconnect, and simply enjoy each other’s company.

As the train sped through the landscape, they talked about their plans for the trip, their voices filled with excitement. They talked about the museums they wanted to visit, the restaurants they wanted to try, and the scenic walks they wanted to take. They talked about everything and nothing, their conversation flowing effortlessly, a testament to their deep connection.

The sun, now fully emerged from the fog, streamed through the train windows, casting a warm glow on their faces. The tension of their rushed departure was completely gone replaced by a feeling of peaceful joy.

After a while, Maggie pulled out her book, the one she had almost forgotten in the chaos. Matt pulled out his tablet, planning to watch a movie. The train continued its journey, carrying them towards their destination.

The rush, the anxiety, the near-miss—it was all a distant memory. They were on their way to Richmond, their vacation finally underway. And as they settled into the rhythm of the train, they knew that even the most chaotic beginnings could lead to the most peaceful and fulfilling journeys. They were together, and that was all that truly mattered.