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I was staring at the blinking McDonald's sign from the Addison platform waiting for my train. Not too many people were there since it was really late and getting cold. My eyes were having a difficult time staying open and that is why I decided to go home
A sterile, automated voice blared "Attention customers: an inbound train toward the loop will be arriving shortly" and I grudgingly stood up as the roar of the train approached. I boarded and took an empty seat next to the door. There were a few people in the car, but all were looking out the window or at advertisements trying to avoid making eye contact.
A cell phone rang playing the notes to Star Spangled Banner. My eyes rolled because of my dislike of cell phones and the cheesiness of the music. "Hello?" said the man across from me. There was a panicked banter coming from the other end of the line.
"Is she alright?" the man said in perfect English with a Middle Eastern accent. "Did you call the police?" He listened intently as the voice began to sound more scared than upset and he, himself, began to look very worried. As I listened to his conversation, I studied the floor because I know what happened to his loved one. It has happened all over. Three drunks, making extremely racist comments threw my neighbor out of an elevator, because she had a darker complexion. In fact, she's Pakistani.
The man looked up at me and back at the floor. "I will be home in a few minutes. We will decide what to do when I get there. Okay?" His lips clinched together as his posture sank and became vulnerable. "Stay calm, I'll be home soon" and then hung up the phone.
He held his briefcase close to his chest looking helpless. I wanted to help him or say something to make him feel better, but what can I say? His eyes and his head tilted down.
The train slowed down as we approached the platform. Lights flickered as the man stood up and he made a quick exit, probably trying to get home as fast as he could without running. The train pulled out of the station and it became dark and noisy as we entered the tunnel. I could only think about what that man is going through and looked around the train trying to make at least some eye contact with those looking out the window, but the sympathy just wasn't there. It was at that moment that I felt helpless.
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Last Modified: 11.1.2001