It should’ve been here by now. I glanced at my watch, then at the giant depot clock, then at the arrivals and departures screens. A too-loud sigh escaped my lips. I’d planned for my trip – researched, studied, bought the tickets and items and clothes tucked safely in a bag I’d purchased especially for the journey. Now I waited. And waited. I had waited three hours and 5 minutes longer than anticiptated to be exact. I’d read through four magazines: 1 interior design, 1 architectural design, and 2 political rags; Chatted with a stranger for two minutes; Purchased a granola bar from the vending machine.

A clamor arose from a small crowd near the doors. I craned my neck to see if my train had pulled up, but no. The man I had chatted with for 2 minutes walked over to me from the group.

“A bunch of us are going into town for a decent lunch. Care to join us?”

“What if the train comes while we’re away?” I asked, pointing to the arrivals and departures screen.

The crowd was pushing through the doors now, and he started toward them.

“After all this time? And so many of us having waited?” he called over his shoulder.

I considered.

“Besides,” he reasoned, “even if it did come, there are so many of us, and we’re just stepping out for two shakes. I doubt it would leave us behind.”

It made sense. I trotted to catch up to everyone.

The diner was a block and a half away. I ordered a roast beef commercial and it was served by a chubby waitress named Allura. Oh this! This was what I needed. I was already in better spirits as was the crowd around me.

I took my first bite. The train whistle blew. I jumped up and was out the door in three seconds. I could feel the crowd running behind me. We shouted and ran like mad. And the train pulled away.

Story prompt: Matthew 25:1-13; taylor-beach-xi0OWUlTfso-unsplash-scaled.jpg; brian-suman-8eId7mS_FCY-unsplash-scaled.jpg