Michelle had phoned me earlier in the day, she had wanted to know if I would finish work early so that I could catch the train home with her, she thought it would be nice to travel together like we did when we were younger and not so work committed. I agreed and said that I would meet her at the train station at 5:30. When I arrived at the station I pushed through the crowd trying to find Michelle I could not see her through the hoards of people then I remembered we used to always have a coffee before we caught the train together in a little coffee shop on one of the platforms.
I hurried in the direction of the coffee shop when I arrived Michelle was sitting relaxed sipping a coffee and reading a magazine. "Hi I knew would remember," Michelle said when she greeted me. I sat down and ordered a coffee. Michelle was wearing a long overcoat, which I thought was unusual being the middle of summer and all. "What is with the coat?" I asked. Michelle explained to me that she had left it at work and it had been hanging on the back of her office door for ages and it was easier to wear it than carry the bulky thing under her arm, I offered to carry it for her, she refused saying it was no trouble at all.
The loud speaker announced that our train would be departing in a few minutes; we finished our coffees and headed off to the platform. When the doors of the train opened I went to make my habitual charge so as to grab a seat, Michelle pulled at my arm holding me back. "I prefer to stand if that's all right?" Michelle said. I agreed although I was not too happy standing for forty minutes.
The train was extremely crowded and it took about five minutes before everybody settled and had found their little nook on the train. Michelle and I stood facing each other grasping onto one of those upright metal poles, she smiled at me Michelle knew that I hated crowded places that's why I would work a little later as to catch the less busy train, I smiled back and took a deep breath thinking this train better empty out quick or else I might not make it home.
The train started with a jolt and everybody standing planted their feet firmly as not to topple on to each other, although I would imagine falling over on a train where we were packed in like sardines would be hard to achieve. I asked the woman behind me if she could move her handbag from jabbing me in my back, she just gave me a dirty look and obliged my request.