7) all the lonely people

Today on the train, a girl in a grey wool coat sat down real close to me so our arms were touching, even though there was plenty of room. When I moved over a little for comfort, she would move a little with me.

Then I noticed across the aisle was an elderly woman reading a magazine. She was well-dressed and had a handsome face underneath layers of wrinkles and wear. As I stared, I started to picture her as a younger woman, charming the city and turning away suitors like it was her job. Then, just as quickly as I was smitten by the Grande Dame, I was thrown back into her current reality. As she was reading, her lips were visibly quivering and as she tried to stop this involuntary action, her face contorted and she looked so helpless and sad.

Then I remembered my parents aren't too far off from having their own lips quiver, and I felt quite melancholy. I can picture my dad's face looking really old.

When I got off the train, the girl who touched my arm immediately moved into the spot I left vacant. Then I found a black and white photo on the ground of two friends in suits touching arms. I taped it next to my computer.