The Midnight Train (Peterick)

Patrick

The wind whipped at my too small, red, coat. The cold winter air and snow made this time of year more miserable than any other.  Most of my life is pretty miserable.

I settled down on an empty bench near a small park. My eyes were drifting shut as I felt a presence besides me.

My eyes shot open and a tall man was glaring down at me. "Boy, where's your mamma? She must be worried sick!" He said. He probably just wants the bench. I'm legally an adult.

"I'm nineteen, sir." I said, trying to be polite. He nodded before looking at the bench again.

"Well, kid, I'm gonna take that bench from ya. There's benches at the train station."

"But—"

"No buts. Move. Now." He said with force, and I did quickly, collecting my string bag.

The walk to the train station was anything but pleasant. I really want to leave this town. Forget the drugs, gangs, and pollution, it's the overwhelming amount of homeless people who are all in competition. I've been living like this since the day I graduated high school.

Happy graduation, Patrick! Have fun on the streets, because we're kicking you out.

I scoffed thinking of my poor excuses of parents. I'm lucky they kept me past 16.

I finally arrived at the station as a passenger train pulled up. It was about midnight.

"Kid, no loitering! Either on the train or somewhere else." The man shouted just as I sat down. It just came to me. This was my ticket out.

"How much a ticket?"

"Twenty bucks!" He shouted back. I only have thirty. I won't have enough for food. Eh, McDonald's isn't that expensive.

I quickly handed him the money before I got on the train.

I don't know where I'm headed, but I'm finally leaving.

Just a city boy, born and raised in south Detroit. He took the midnight train going anywhere.