Storytime Episode 5: The Blue Line

I got off the train and waited for my sister to pick me up. I still don’t understand how she could stay in this town. I was so happy when I left it.

I looked around and saw how the train station hadn’t changed. Since it’s summer, I decided to continue waiting outside. The sun was shining, and when I heard a new train departing, I looked towards the direction of where we met.

Our meeting was like a movie.

Too many people trying to get to their destination and you’re bound to bump into a stranger.

That stranger was you.

I remember how we smiled at each other and locked eyes. How you helped me pick up my bag, and I found your phone. Eventually, we found out we both worked downtown. We took the same line and got off one stop apart from each other.

I thought of how we were perfect. I thought of how much our romance bloomed so perfectly.

I hadn’t thought of you in months, and I can’t believe I started now.

My gaze shifted when I heard the horn of a car. I thought it was my sister, but it wasn’t.

Instead, it was a dark blue Toyota RAV4, but the driver wasn’t you. It was a woman picking up her husband from the train.

I remembered our dates, our long drives. I remembered how we laughed, how we argued, and how we just were.

I stepped back more into the shade. I could see the sun disappearing and clouds coming.

I checked my phone and the weather app. It showed a chance of rain.

I don’t remember that, I thought to myself.

I noticed my sister texted using her Siri that she was about 10 minutes away.

10 months ago, we were something until we turned into nothing.

10 months ago our 4 years went down the drain.

I heard another train preparing for departure. I remembered how our love story was a full circle. I look towards the area where the trains were. I remembered where we met was also where we broke up. I remembered you moving out West. I remembered riding the train alone. I would put my head on the window since I didn’t have your shoulder.

“I guess I ran away too,” I whispered.

I heard a honk and saw my sister pulling up. As I was walking towards her, the sky was no longer blue. It was gray. The thunder rumbled. My sister put her hazards on, and she came out to hug me.

“I got an umbrella just in case, but you better hop in before the rain pours,” she said.

We got in the car. As we headed out, her wipers were perfectly turned on as the rain began to come down. I rested my head on the window and wondered if our blue line was indicative of our future. Perhaps since I never talked to you after we broke up, you were over it. You’re all sunny skies and good vibes. No matter where I moved, I guess I was meant to be blue.

Thursday, April 30, 2026