The two old men in their own world sat perched on their accordion suitcases playing a familiar waltz with so much composure masking their disappointment that no one was dancing.
Her heart ached to dance and bring joy to them and those standing around. Instead, she found 5.27 in change and dropped it into the open violin case.
One of the men looked at her and said "thank you lady" in a rustic Russian accent. His eyes were so gray, but were framed by his cheekbones in such a way that they revealed kindness and a hard life.
"you're welcome" she replied in Russian "and thank you sir".
As she leaned against the wall composed of the tiny muticoloured tiles, she imagined he came up the stairs and looked her in the eyes. He knew what had to be done and asked her to dance. There was plenty of floor to waltz and the setting could be romantic.
But there was no him and she didn't know the man who walked up the stairs. He never even looked her way because he was so preoccupied with his cellular device. She thought a prayer for him and asked the Lord to give him a really good day, him and his most loved ones. I hope he has someone to love today.
After all it was Valentines Day and he didn't have any flowers in his hands.
The wind began to pick up. This meant the train was almost here. She stood back as all the people began to crowd near the platform. I'll catch the next train if this one is too full.
However, everyone fit so well in the spacious vehicles that she even got a seat.
The song from the platform was still playing in her mind she didn't want to replace it with her petty music. So she just observed her surroundings.
A mum and her newborn tied to her chest. She fed her (the child had a pink bow on her head) cheerios from a thin plastic bag in her purse. The woman, maybe 30, was so preoccupied with her child that anyone who looked at her only saw just that. Her worn out clothing did not stand out and her patched up, faded and oversized wind breaker did not draw your eye.
Beside her was a young man. He was quite handsome if you took the time to notice the details of his appearance. Sandy blonde hair, brown eyes, and a strong jaw line, he was no older than twenty six. He had with him a hockey bag and he wore a track suit and nike runners. While not her image of a well-dressed bloke, he wore his clothes well. An athlete.
He was reading.
She couldn't really see what until he would flip to the next page.
wait for it.
Love in the Time of Cholera.
wow.
impressive.
