On My Way to Work

I settled into my seat for my morning commute into the city, sudoku puzzle book and pencil at the ready, Dunkin Donuts coffee, and today’s paper, just in case I want to feel depressed. As I opened the puzzle book, she strode up the aisle and took a seat on the opposite side of the train.

She was pretty, with auburn hair down to her shoulders, pink lipstick—not too shiny, and royal blue nails. She removed her navy blue blazer, revealing a white blouse with small peacocks embroidered on it. As she sat she straightened out her gray skirt, slipped off her shoes, sighed, and looked out the window. I didn’t see any jewelry: rings, watch, necklace, yet something about her said ‘money.’

Normally I wouldn’t have noticed her, but when I saw her walking toward me, I could swear I knew her. And it’s not because she has a familiar face, or is a celebrity, or simply because she was attractive, but something deep inside me said, “Where do I know her from?”

I thought back to high school, but couldn’t place her there. Previous workplace? No, don’t think so. I’m sure we never dated; I wouldn’t be wondering about her now if we had. Maybe a chance encounter? Does she work at a store I shop in? My pencil hovered above puzzle 43 as all these thoughts and more ran through my brain.

It was no use, I had to know. “Excuse me,” I said quietly, “but have we met?” She glanced at me, gave me a quick once-over, (I thought I saw her eyes light up in recognition) and said, “No, sorry, I don’t believe so.”

“She doesn’t believe so,” I thought. But what was that light in her eyes. “Doesn’t believe, hmm, there might still be something there. She didn’t come out and say, no chance.” I mulled this over for a few minutes, my pencil still hadn’t written any numbers, and my coffee was getting cold.

“Randall,” I said to myself, “it’s now or never.” I put my book and pencil away in my briefcase, beside the unread newspaper, and stood up. “Would it be alright with you if I joined you Miss?” I said, hoping my voice wouldn’t crack.

She gave me that glance again, maybe a little slower this time. Was that a smile? Did her eyes widen just a smidge? Am I overthinking this? “Yes,” she replied as she moved her purse from the seat next to her, “That would be nice.”

“Thank you,” I smiled at her as I sat down, looking at her closely, but hoping I wasn’t staring or being intimidating. She appeared to be in her mid-30s. “My name is Randall. I ride this train daily, but I’ve not seen you on here before.”

“Nice to meet you, Randall. I don’t get out much. Where are you headed?”

“To the city, to work.”

“What do you do?” she inquired, with a voice that sounded truly caring.

“I’m an accountant at Smith & Jones.”

She laughed gaily! “Smith & Jones? Honest? I expected something like Cohen and Meyers, or Thompson and Hart. I’m sorry, it just struck me funny.”

I wasn’t offended, or even put off. I was totally charmed by her reaction, and immediately put at ease. “Yes, honest—Smith & Jones. I’ve been there for 11 years. I’ll be named partner next year.”

 “That’s very nice for you. Do you enjoy your work?”

“Yes,” I answered, “Very much. It can be quite challenging at times. What do you do?”

She looked away for a moment. “Oh, nothing as exciting as accounting, I can guarantee you that. So, are you in a high-rise building? Do you have a nice view? Don’t tell me you’re stuck in a small windowless office.”

I smiled. She seemed so earnest in her comments and questions. “Yes, we are in the Campbell Building, on the 30^th floor. And my view is amazing. At sunset the colors reflect off the other buildings like they’re on fire. At the right time of year, I can see the sun go down at the end of 7^th Avenue.”

“Oh, that must be spectacular!” she exclaimed with genuine pleasure. “How lucky you are!”

Yes, I am, I reflected. I looked at her and was about to ask…

“And what do you like to do for fun?” she asked, looking deep into my eyes.

I was taken aback by her honest interest. “Um, well, I like the outdoors, honestly. Hiking and biking, mountain climbing, camping, you know, getting out into nature.”

“Ugh, I’m not much for nature,” she said with a shiver. “I’d be too afraid of running into a dangerous animal, or falling and hurting myself, or getting lost.”

“I’d keep you safe,” I said with a grin. “You wouldn’t have to worry about a thing.”

She smiled and giggled a little at that. “I’m sure you would, but I’d still be worrying and fretting the whole time. Don’t you ever think about that?”

“Well, sure. You have to take a phone with GPS so you don’t get lost, keep bear spray handy for unwanted visitors, water and a small med kit, just in case.” I was about to say more, but realized I was about to drone on about the great outdoors, and though she appeared interested, I didn’t want to be that guy who blabs on-and-on about himself.

“Oh, do go on,” she pleaded. “I’d like to know more about you.”

“No, it’s okay,” I said. “I’d just bore you.”

“I’m sure you wouldn’t, but please tell me, have you run into any ‘unwanted visitors,’ as you call them?”

I was totally disarmed by her charm. “I did meet up with a bear one time. All I saw was an enormous brown head looking at me over a log as I walked on the trail. I have to admit, I was startled, and a little scared.”

“Oh, my, what did you do?” She looked at me, concerned.

I smiled. “I raised my arms and yelled, ‘Boo!’ and he turned and ran.” I laughed. “I think I scared him more than he scared me. As he ran away I could see he was just a cub. I laughed and waved ‘bye’ to him, but then I realized that Mama Bear might be lurking, so I got quiet and walked away as quickly as I could.”

“That’s quite a story! Thank you for sharing with me. I could imagine it as you told me. See, I don’t need to go in the woods to enjoy them.” Her eyes sparkled with mirth as she spoke.

Despite the thought niggling in the back of my mind that we’d met before, I was totally captivated by her. I felt I was the most important man in the world at that moment.

She looked at me seriously. “Are you married? Do you have children?”

You’d think these questions would have broken the mood, but no, because I was enthralled with this woman whom I didn’t know. “No, divorced, three years now. Two kids, 12 and 13. We share custody.”

“Sorry, but tell me about your children, please. Boys, girls? One of each?”

She cast quite a spell, I tell you. “Samantha is my oldest, and Billy my youngest. They are great kids, and I love them to death. What about you? Do you have kids?”

She brushed my questions aside. “So, hmm, that would put Samantha in 8^th grade? And Billy in 7^th? No, 6^th grade, isn’t he.”

“Yes, you’re right, his birthday was too late to get him into kindergarten at five years old. Are you a teacher?”

“Oh no, nothing like that,” she replied in an off-hand-ish way. “Do they like the outdoors as you do?”

“Yes, yes they do. We go camping whenever we have the opportunity. You could meet them if you’d like to join us sometime,” I said with a smile.

“Ha-ha, you know better,” she laughed.

I could feel the train slowing down, and saw that we were pulling into a station.

“I’m sorry, but this is my stop,” she said, with a hint of sadness. “It’s been a pleasure talking with you, Randall.”

“Likewise, Miss…”

“Oh, I’d better hurry,” she said, cutting me off. She stood up and stepped into her shoes, put her blazer on and picked up her purse. She offered her hand to shake, and I clasped hers with both hands. “It has been a true pleasure talking with you today, Randall. Take good care and have fun camping.”

“Thank you. I have thoroughly enjoyed our time together,” I replied.

“I must run,” she said quietly, as she headed up the aisle toward to the door. “Call me some time,” she continued as she walked away.

“But I don’t…” and she was gone. I returned to my seat and watched out the window as she disembarked. She stood on the platform until the train started moving again. Then she turned and looked at me, waved and blew me a kiss.

“Oh My GOD!” I yelled. “That’s HER!” as I lost sight of her. I sat down, shaking. “That was her!” I whispered.

The end.