You: Beanie with brown hair peeking underneath, hoodie with jacket, black roller suitcase (wide not tall) with you. Warm eyes, soft smile. Interest?

Me: Short brown curly hair, black/gray dotted scarf, beige trench, gray bag and boots. Interest.

You arrived on the 6 train into a group of kids, crowded space. I smiled sympathetically from a seat, you smiled back. We both got off at USQ. I didn’t see where you went…then I saw you headed towards the L, like me. We both got on the same car towards Brooklyn, more luck. I stood across from you and tried to muster the courage to say hello. Instead, I exited at 1st Ave and looked back as the train doors closed—one more mutual smile. Scene.

In my mind, I rode past my stop and into a conversation with you, wherever it might have led. In reality, I immediately regretted my exit, and have wondered about that hypothetical conversation since.

If you’d like to have one, reach out. Comfort points if you can tell me whether I was sitting alone or with friends on the 6, or what task I did when I got on the L.

Here’s hoping…