#567 An Orange Line Train to Ballston- Edward P. Jones
Marvella is a single mother of three. Each morning during rush hour she has to take her children on the subway, the Orange Line to Ballston. Jones does a pretty great job of conveying the stress it must feel like as Mother trying to take care and keep and eye on three kids in a crowded train.
They meet a man riding alone with long dreadlocks. Being curious, the children began asking questions about his hair, why he doesn’t cut it, it looks like the hair of a guy we saw in a horror movie, etc. Marvella is mortified but the man is genial and answers all their questions.
They see him again the next day, and become even friendlier. As the weeks pass, they ride the same train often, Marvella likes this man, likes how he treats her children, wishes he would talk more to her, and looks forward to their brief encounters. But, anyone who has ever ridden subways knows, many such encounters, go as quickly as they come.
Very charming story.
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