Wherever You're Going

“Next stop is Union Station.”

Lauren loved taking the train. It was her preferred means of transportation, even in college. She enjoyed waking up early and boarding the train before sunrise. By the time she reached the Potomac, the sun was rising over the water. It was a sight to see, the image could not be put into words.

Union Station required a longer stop due to the changing of the engines. She usually took this time to stretch her legs and that’s when she noticed “him”. He was busy scrolling his phone, but it was as if he knew to look up at that moment. Their eyes met. A smile soon appeared on both of their faces. This could not be true. How on earth did they end up on the same train after all these years?

*five years prior*

“Next stop is Union Station. We will be switching engines. You may depart the train, but ensure you have your ticket and identification with you.”

Lauren never left the train. She had a fear of being left and she had no way to get to Maryland from here. Well, there were plenty of ways, but money was the issue. She was returning for her sophomore year of college and enjoyed riding the train back and forth from Maryland to Virginia. Next year she would have her car so she figured she would enjoy the trips while she could.

As the train approached the station, she watched passengers prepare to exit the train, either to depart for the next leg of their journey or simply to get some air. This was her fifth trip by train and she knew exactly how long it took for the engine switch, but she refused to leave. By the time she listened to a few songs on Pandora and checked her social media notifications, the train would be back on track to get her to her destination.

Just as she was browsing through her timeline, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She pulled back her locs to see a guy dressed in a white tee, sweats, and a pair of Nikes. He appeared to be in his early 20s and she figured he was trying to hit on her.

“Excuse me,” he said, “I'm so sorry to bother you, but this is my first time taking a train and I’m not sure what’s going on. They said something about an engine change and I'm not sure if that affects me.”

Lauren was no train expert, but she knew enough about this change to put his mind at ease. She removed her headphones and explained what was going on.

He laughed, shook his head and replied, “You probably think I’m some country boy that doesn't travel much.”

“No”, Lauren replied, “Not too long ago, I was in your shoes. Even now I will not leave the train due to fear of getting left and I've traveled this route many times.” Thinking that was it, she smiled and went to put her headphones back in, but he was still standing there.

“I’m Mark”, he said as he lifted out his hand.

“Lauren”, she replied as she did the same to shake his, but he did not let go. This made her feel uneasy.

“Well Lauren, we have twenty minutes to kill, why don’t you get off this train with me? Let’s conquer this “fear” together”, he said smiling and waited for her to say yes.

Lauren knew that the train would leave in exactly twenty minutes and they would make an “all call” prior to leaving. She figured if she just stepped off the train, that would be enough to say she got off at Union Station. She hesitated for a moment, but then grabbed her backpack and found herself being helped off the train.

“Okay that was enough”, she thought to herself, but she then saw Mark headed to a food cart a little further out than she wanted to be.

“Come on”, he yelled over the noise, “I'm starving and I refuse to spend $10 on a microwaved hotdog and fries on that train”.

Lauren knew her breakfast sandwich was long gone, but she was still terrified of leaving the train’s side. She didn’t want to be on social media later chasing a train like Darius from one of her favorite movies, “Love Jones”. Yet, something in her made her take a chance. She felt a little too comfortable around Mark and couldn’t pinpoint why, but if he could have the courage to leave the train on his first trip, what was stopping her now? As she approached, she heard him ordering two hot dogs with all the fixins’ and two drinks. She didn’t want to assume he ordered food for her, but that was answered when he gave her one of the hot dogs and drinks and said, “For your courage”.

“All aboard!”

By the time the conductor made the call, Lauren and Mark were back on the train discussing all the southern delicacies. They both realized they had something in common when they both preferred hotdogs with all the fixins’: ketchup, mustard, chili, coleslaw and even onions. She was surprised he felt comfortable enough ordering her food, but once again this all felt right or maybe just a little too good.

Mark moved to the seat across from Lauren and they spent the next hour discussing school, family, their childhoods, and even shared a few embarrassing stories. However , one thing they did not discuss was where he was headed and his purpose for the trip. Lauren figured he was going back to school like her, they would exchange social media handles, then be on their way.

As the train approached its next stop, Mark looked around and started gathering his things. Lauren knew without asking that this was his stop. She hated to see him go, but knew this was just a casual conversation between two strangers.

“Well Ms. Lauren, this is my stop”, Mark said as he gathered his bag, “I appreciate you making my first trip memorable and tolerable. I really didn’t want to take the train at first, but now I'm glad I did”.

Lauren smiled, “Well I am glad you enjoyed your first trip and that I could make it “tolerable”. Thanks for the hotdog, drink and conversation.”

Mark smiled and for a moment Lauren felt sadness over her. She did not truly understand how she could feel this way about a complete stranger, but the feeling was genuine. She did not realize Mark felt the same, but before any other words could be exchanged, the train came to a complete stop.

“I hope you have a great semester and it was nice meeting you”, Mark said as he walked towards the exit.

“Same to you”, Lauren replied.

Mark took another glance back, smiled, then waved, but then Lauren understood why he was so friendly, yet distant at the same time. As he disembarked off the steps, he was met by a girl, early 20s, who nearly tackled him off the platform. As they embraced, Lauren thought that maybe it was a friend or relative, but she knew all too well she was much more than that. A part of her wanted to continue to watch the interaction between these two, but the other part wished it was her embracing Mark. Wished it was her anticipating him getting off the train. Wished it was her getting in the car and asking how his trip was.

But then she wondered if he would tell the girl about their trip once he got off the train and how he brought her lunch. How they spent the last hour talking like two childhood friends. The thought of him having someone bothered her, but she didn’t even know his last name and now she could see why.

As the train began to depart the station, Mark took one final look back. He wondered if Lauren had seen him. Had seen him being hugged by his girlfriend. A part of him felt bad for not mentioning her, but she didn’t ask. For all he knew, she may have a boyfriend back at school or back at home. He tried his best to shake the images out of his mind, but he would always remember this train ride. He would always remember Lauren.

*now*

“Lauren?”

“Mark?”

The two could not believe they were on the same train...again...after all these years. Mark now had a face full of facial hair, he was dressed with a polo, slacks and loafers. Business-casual look. Lauren’s dreads were bound into a neat bun on top of her head. She had on a nice top, jeans, and a pair of her favorite boat shoes. Definitely a casual look.

Without hesitation, Mark rose from his seat and approached Lauren.

“So I heard this place has great hotdogs with all the fixins’”, he said as he pointed to the food cart on the platform.

Lauren laughed, “Well I think I may have had one before. It was pretty good. But it’s been awhile so I wouldn’t mind trying them out again. My treat”.

The two departed the train and found themselves at the same cart from five years prior. Mark ordered two hot dogs with all the fixins’ and two drinks. They sat at a bench that was close by and simply enjoyed each other’s company. Lauren did not dare to ask if the girl she saw before was still in his life, but as she glanced at his ring finger she did not notice a ring.

“All aboard!”

Once again, Mark and Lauren were on the train prior to the call. Mark gathered his things and sat across from Lauren as he did before. Lauren figured she would ask the question she should have asked years ago.

“So where are you headed today?” Lauren asked as she offered him a piece of gum.

As he took the gum, he smiled and replied, “Wherever you're going”.