Creative writing

Overheard on the JR Yosan line…

“Well I suppose I won’t really be alone forever.”

He avoided her gaze, pretending to look intently at the sporting goods store rolling by the train window.

“Oh?”

“Eventually I’ll be desirable simply by virtue of not being a screw-up. I’ll have a job and a car and a savings account, and some woman will give up on her hopes and dreams and settle for me.”

“Oh shut up.”

“No, it’s true. Our tepid love will sputter out in our cookie-cutter home in the suburbs, where we’ll raise our 2.3 kids and pretend that everything worked out for the best.”

The train jerked as it rounded a bend. His white-knuckle deathgrip on the handrail narrowly kept his hip from bumping the old woman to his rear.

After a brief silence, she replied.

“Well I’d say you’re being silly, but that actually sounds about right.”