Trains @ MindSay

I wrote this during my first week of school in September. I've found it quite true to the experience of commuting. It's also one of the most improbably short stories I've written.

The Train Rider

Somebody must have screwed her very poorly at some point. The train rider thought about this as he observed a pensive young woman sitting across from him. That was his explanation for the way she sat, like she was bound and muzzled. He figured it was only rude to draw conclusions if he actually approached her. So long as those images of her, squirming uncomfortably under the sheets, remained in his head, no harm would be done. So he kept his distance.

As he saw it, she’d had a bad experience or two for sure. She didn’t like men; didn’t like their touch or their leers or their advances. She kept to herself, didn’t flirt or giggle, dressed down in bland, plain clothes to de-emphasize her feminine attributes. Sure, like any fine young gal, she had wicked curves, but you’d never see them under her cardigan sweater and plain grey skirt. Her hair, tied back tight, gave her a serious, angular look, a look that said no trespassing. So nobody had laid a hand on her in years, but maybe she secretly longed to be held and re-introduced to the art of making love.

He got a little red in the face as he imagined un-wrapping her white blouse to find a leopard print bra, or ripping off her skirt to reveal a lacey g-string.

She sniffled ever so slightly. He thought about how frigid she must be, staying in every night and reading rather than embracing the passion that must live inside us all. He didn’t know of anyone who didn’t like to have a little fun behind closed doors with a member of the opposite sex. He imagined how he might unlock that passion, that thirst for flesh inside of her.

He could see himself whisking her off the train to a nearby bar for a drink, or a quaint little ristorante he might know about. They would wine and dine and he’d tell her flattering stories about himself and listen, fascinatedly, to all the stories about her college years and her two cats and her landlord who still hasn’t fixed her faucet. They’d share a laugh as he burrowed his way into her icy heart and melted it with his warmth. They’d say goodnight after he walked her home, awkwardly, wordlessly negotiating a kiss on the side of the lips. After three or four dates maybe, they’d become so close, so engrossed in each other, that finally, she would let him know her secrets and he would take her in his arms… and do it to her twice in one night.

Before he could mentally unwind her any further, though, the conductor called his station out. He stood as the train began to slow – and so did she. He stepped awkwardly behind her, not making eye contact. They waited at the doors for the train to come to a full stop. As it did, it made one last sudden lurch forward, sending his elbow into her ribs.

“Oop, sorry!” he blushed.

She shrugged, to show it was fine, but he felt embarrassed. With that little nudge, the separation he had kept, separating the real girl from his imagination, had been bridged and she was suddenly a real person again. He felt like every thought he’d had about her, every naughty thing he wanted to do to her – some of it involve elaborate props and costumes – was written right across his face. So when the doors opened, he trudged off, feeling utterly foolish.

And the girl, she went her own way down the platform, giggling to herself about what she’d been thinking about him.

Keep on rockin'
-Scott

Sorry the picture won't resize...but you'll get the idea. As I am waiting for the train to pass I read "Do Not Hump" on every single car and start giggling uncontrollably. The train comes to a full stop as I wait for it to pass, but I'm not even mad because this gives me a chance to get my camera, and besides...I'm still laughing too hard (juvenile, I'm aware). I have never seen this on a train before...does anyone know what "humping" means in train vanacular? :-P

As most of you know we've been awash in toy recalls this summer due to lead paint.  This hit our home particularly hard, as our kid is WAY in to Thomas the Tank Engine.

Earlier this year, for weeks, he was asking us to get him James the Shiny Red Engine (Shiny!).  Weeks and weeks of pretend play with his pretend James and asking us to get him a real one.  So finally, upon return from a business trip this spring, I brought him home a James.  He was beyond thrilled.  And then sure enough just a few weeks later, they announced the big recall - and James was at the top of the list. 

We gathered all of Av's trains on the recall list (there were 6 pieces total) and explained to him why were taking them away - including his new James.  They were going back to the toy factory to get a new coat of shiny red paint.  He was disappointed, but OK with this.  He patiently waited all summer for his trains to return - and when they did?  He was like a kid on Chanukah evening!  Each piece was individually wrapped - so he had six small packages to unwrap!  Squealing with delight at each one.  Then the bonus - the company was kind enough to send us a bonus gift train for all of our troubles.  Who did we get?  Some train named Toad.  Never heard of him before.  He faces backwards and has a movable brake lever - the kid was thrilled.

So last night I'm watching the news and see that there is another Thomas recall.  Oy vey.  This morning I get around to looking up who is on the list this time and see that it's mostly accessory pieces, that we lost years ago.  And the one train on the list?  Toad.  Of course.  The nice free train that the company sent us.  So back in the mail Toad goes.  To get a replacement Toad.  And another "special vehicle gift."  Ironic ain't it?  Hopefully that one won't be recalled either...

Ok kiddies, today's lesson is:  don't steal.

Six Texas teenagers were driving around in a stolen car when the driver crashed into a train.  Four of the kids died, and the other two were airlifted to the hospital.

Crime don't pay.

>.)