Midnight Train

Chapter 5

"So you met on the train?" Sam asks.

"Yes we did," James responds, smiling at me.

Atlanta is laying on my lap, curled up. Her feet are laying on Bex's lap. Bex is leaning her head on my shoulder. Sam is laying with his head on James's legs. The late hour is starting to take its toll on everyone, even the older children. They are trying to listen with rapt attention, but are slowly drifting to sleep, being lulled by the rhythm of the train humming.

"Please continue, Mom," Bex begs for me to continue, sleepiness creeping into her voice.

"Alright. I'll continue with my side of the story."

"I stuffed the money in my pillowcase and pulled my pajamas over a pair of plain black leggings and a (f/c) t-shirt. I lay down in bed, my head on the pillow that has money in it. I close my eyes and wait."

"What were you waiting for?" Sam asks, sleepiness creeping into his voice.

"I was waiting for my parents to come check what I was doing. I knew not to try sneaking out again because they would just call the cops on me."

"Are you serious?" Bex asks me, lifting her head from my shoulder. "Your parents actually called the cops on you?"

The rest of my kids perked up when they heard this, horrified by what my parents did. James, however, looks at me with sorrow. He's heard this story before, and it is evident that it hurts his soul every time he hears it. I look at him, similar sorrow reflected in my eyes. However, I smile a little, reminding him that this story has a happy ending.

I sigh. "Yes. And it happened more than once. After three times, I finally caught on. I knew that my parents would cause me more problems than the police ever could. That would mean limiting what little food they gave me, as well as what little lunch money I got."

"Poor Mommy," Atlanta mumbles. I smile softly at my youngest daughter, silently promising myself again that I would never treat my children like my parents treated me.

"Not long after I configured this plan, my door was opened. I kept my eyes closed and tried to control my breathing. Footsteps walked closer to my bed, and it was becoming difficult to keep my breathing steady. The footsteps stopped by my bed, then stood there for what felt like hours which was probably only a minute or so. Soon the footsteps walked away, the sound of the lock turning in my door again. I wait for a count of thirty before sitting up slowly. Looking at the clock on my phone, it reads 9:15. I have a couple of hours to wait before I can slip out again. Seeing the battery is low, I climbed out of my bed and plugged it in. I also stuffed some ear buds in my pocket, just in case I needed them. Then I climbed back in bed, ready to play the long game."

"I didn't dare use my phone because I didn't want them to find me awake. Who knows what kind of repercussions that could have. Hours later, I could still hear the faint rumble of talking coming from my parents' room, which was right next to mine. Carefully looking at my clock, I see its already 11:15. I need to get going soon if I'm going to make the train. In order to do that, though, I need them to be asleep. About fifteen minutes later, I hear snoring coming through the walls. Sliding out of bed, I flinch every time I hear my bed creak. Once I do get out, I quickly take off the pajamas which were over my clothes. I grab my phone off the charger and my money out of my pillow case, and, for the second time that night, I climb out of my window.

Once I hit the ground, I start walking. I pull up Google maps and look for directions to the train station. Now it's a little after 11:30, and I needed to hurry. Fast walking turns to running the later the time ticks. I get to the train station at 11:54. Lucky for me, the ticket line was nonexistent. Throwing money down for my ticket, the ticket master seemed to take forever. Not it's 11:57, and I needed to find the train. Sprinting, I find the correct train at 11:59. The whistle blows, and I'm horrified to see the train start to move. I chase after it, panicking. My only attempt at serenity was sliding through my fingers. I made a wild grab for a handle by the door when I see someone still on the stairs. The man reached out his hand and I grab it, his firm grip pulling me into the train, the train picking up speed quickly."

I smile at my husband, knowing full well where this is going.

"He pulled me into their chest, and a blush crawls up my face. When I pulled away, the first thing I noticed was his curly, dirty blond hair and his brilliant blue eyes."

The kids are looking back and forth between me and their father as they hear all of these details. Slowly I see them connect the dots.

"I mumbled a thanks. He walked past me and I stood still. Pulling out my phone, I saw that it's officially midnight. Walking down the aisle, I can't find any open seats, except one across from someone. I nervously ask if I could sit here. They look up, and who do I see but the man who pulled me into the train, his blue eyes looking straight into my (e/c) ones. He nods his head before looking down at his phone again. I sat down, slightly uncomfortable since I never met this guy before."

I look up at James, a smirk straight on my face. I also see one cross his as well. A small conversation passed between us, and we both reach the same conclusion.

"Excuse me. Can I ask what your name is?" I ask, looking him in the eye, our kids looking confused at us.

"It's James," he tells me, both of us smiling at each other.