Jim walked into the coffee shop, a broad smile on his face.
He ordered a coffee and a bagel, eat-in of course, and brought a $1.99 newspaper from the stand next to the counter.
Once he had his order, he looked around for a spare seat.
The only free one was in a two-seater that was occupied by a woman who was reading through a book, a slight smile on her face and a steaming beverage in her hand.
Jim sat down.
"Hello. I'm Jim, how are you?"
She looked up shyly, nodding at him.
"I'm uh. I'm Catarina."
It triggers a memory of a girl with a similiar name. Catherine, Jim thinks.
But he doesn't stop there. He pushes on.
"That's a lovely name."
"Thanks."
Jim finishes his bagel and coffee and says goodbye.
"Do you come here often?," she asks, just before he leaves.
"Every day," he says with a grin.
And then Jim heads off to work, walking the whole way.
Not stepping foot in a single train.
YOU ARE READING
Trains
General FictionEvery day at precisely 8:17 Jim gets on the train with a coffeee and his newspaper. He has been doing this for twenty years. But as we all know, nothing stays the same for ever.
