the fourth.

It was one of those days where I stopped looking so far ahead. You could blame it on my glasses, all scratched and crooked hanging precariously off the bridge of my nose, attempting a jump. The train was set to depart at 4:48 p.m. sharp.

"Twenty minutes late, damn," exasperation from the woman to my right on the bench.

I could not have found a better afternoon. The taxicab picked me up from work and I said, "the train station, get me there, as quick as you can". To which he replied:

"If you miss the train, I can take you in this taxi."
"I can't afford your taxi."
"Then just give me your phone number after I drop you off."
"I think my number is worth more than a taxi cab ride."

He laughed. I rolled the window down enough to leave my stray hairs with the city winds and continued to speak with the driver. It was hot. We agreed. Was only supposed to get hotter. The traffic stood aggressive. I did not notice. I was safe because I was headed somewhere.

the sun was torching as I stepped out, a glint refracted off the cab door. Fare, $5.46. "Just give me two back."

I stepped out and entered the station. The feel of train station tiles reflected my toes. I was walking on water. There was slight air conditioned air. I felt strong. A gigantic rooted Sycamore. I felt free. A solo soaring avian. Five minutes to spare, I bought the ticket.

Five minutes late, coffee. I hadn't eaten much all day, been busy, occupied.

Ten minutes late, I took to reclaim my hair in a braid, put on a shade of red lipstick, let the late afternoon settle into my previously perspired skin.

I felt breathless, like nothing could touch me except to love me. The blatant rigidity of the train bench scooping down my back, drying sweat behind my knee caps, the tickle of a hair in my eye, warm coffee to my lips.

Twenty minutes late, just enough time for a smoke.

Putting my cigarette out early, I felt the pull of the train even with the building in between. Sure enough, I squeezed in the door as it shut, brushing my arm, my coffee tinkering-but caught, composed, graceful, for once.

I sat down and took to looking out the window. I was going to the ocean, today was the fourth of July, my friend would pick me up at the station.

It was only later that I realized, in my severe bliss, I had handed the taxi cab driver a twenty.