Wind blew down the alleys, frost stained the windows, and Ruth waited for the train. Just beyond the platform people shuffled along to work, to school, to wherever. It didn't matter to Ruth, all she knew is that they reminded her of sheep. She was content at the station.
8:03. Late. The conductors shouting became audible. "All aboard!"
But this train was late, that couldn't be a good sign. Also it was red. Red made her nervous. Glossy-eyed commuters elbowed and crammed into the car. They must have been late too. She didn't like the look of it. Nothing appeared good. Ruth would wait for another train.
She questioned herself. Maybe that train wasn't even going to where she wanted. That's right. She had been standing on the wrong side of the platform completely. The morning bustle came and went. Ruth remained and headed to the other side of the tracks with a renewed sense of purpose.
Noon on the dot. This one looked promising. It screeched to a halt with a screech that reminded Ruth of the grammar school chalkboard. This caused her to recall how insecure she felt when she was young. Consequently, insecurity had overcome Ruth. The people in the car looked pleasant enough, and it was going in the direction she thought she wanted, but this also was not her train.
Ruth began to notice familiar faces. She had been on the platform long enough to see people start and finish their day. Sulking, she sat on the bench. The once nameless, faceless people began to take on character. To Ruth, each one of them told a story more successful than hers, happier than hers, and more fulfilling than hers. They had it all. "Why" she thought, "do I have nothing?"
A light flickered and died in the lamp post next to her. The night janitor had just begun his shift. As he approached to sweep under Ruth's bench he asked, "Going somewhere tonight miss?" It was then that she realized she had never left the platform.
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