Train Ride/ Adopted Family

I took the train to work, as I do most days, and today I settled down in my seat with a new book. One stop, two stops down the line, I'm still enjoying myself when I hear, "JESSIE!" in a small, high pitched voice. I look up to see S. [names have been hidden to protect the innocent] (age 4) barreling down the train aisle, and jumping in my lap. I thought she was alone! It took a minute of a lap-sitting hug for me to wrestle a look to see her father trying to catch up to her. When dad finally arrives she bounds off my lap and screams, "I won't sit with you, you do not have a window seat!" and barrels down to the back of the train. Apparently she finds a window seat, because I hear my name called from behind, and turn to see her pigtailed head and waving hand above all the other commuters. I'm glad she's found a window seat, where her father can block her in.

Then my stop, I get off and walk a few feet, contemplating whether or not to wait for S. and dad or not. I choose a slow pace. They come out the door on the other side in a matter of seconds. The little cheetah again tumbling towards me, runs into my leg and grabs my hand as she does everyday on the playground. And then dad catches up. She grabs his hand. And here we are, me, child, dad holding hands in a row. And I think, well, isn't this interesting, and hope she'll drop my hand sooner rather than later, instead of dropping her father's. We begin the 7 minute or so walk (more like ten with a four year old) up hill to school.

After crossing the road in front of the line of cars stopped at the train tracks, I stopped feeling awkward about our happy little family walking down the street, because, to them, I'm sure that's what we were, and start fantasizing about what it might be like to really be this family. Conversation was pleasant, child driven, and it wasn't too cold, so it was an enjoyable walk. And for a little bit, I enjoyed my stop into family life. But I won't be doing it again soon.

Get to work, and S. has already announce to the room that she got to ride the train with me and walk with me to school. How do I know? Another kid approached me and asked if they could walk to school with me someday. We'll see...I rather enjoy my sustained silent reading time on the train.