I really enjoyed reading this and it's exceptional that you sat listening with no interruptions letting it flow.
She obviously needed someone to talk to and I imagine after what she's been through if it's true, she must feel lonely and scared with her daughter being in the same predicament as her husband.
You wrote this beautifully, it drew me in, this was shared to my subscribers' chat by Priya Hinduja & so glad she shared it, excellent piece!
Thank you for reading so carefully and for sharing it on. I’m grateful it found its way to more readers, and I’m honored that @Priya Hinduja chose to share it in your chat.
Sometimes loneliness can do that - cause one to blurt out their story to a stranger on a train- so much that she carried- for so long alone- dancing was a way for here to connect with her self- so beautiful- and sad - she should really join sub-stack on her mountain she could share each journey and people would listen and she would have a chance to be seen as she was seen by you- she sincerely could see that your spirit would see her and she just made the most of every moment you listened to her..
Surely, talking to a stranger can feel safer than talking so freely to someone close. I think, deep down, people don’t expect to be understood, and that makes it easier to speak. In truth, I wasn’t making a choice in that moment, I was just listening. The reflection came afterward, and then I wrote this story. I also like your thought about her sharing her journeys here; if our paths crossed again, I think I would suggest it. Thank you for taking the time to leave such a generous response.
“The train was already moving when she chose the seat beside me.”
And that’s how I knew this was going to be about staying, not doing. No fixing, no sorting, no brave little speeches... just holding the seat, holding the moment, letting the story wobble and breathe. Quietly powerful in that sneaky way that doesn’t announce itself, just keeps going. Like her. Like the train.
I love the way you build the atmosphere from the very beginning—so detailed—and how you immediately draw the reader into this world. I was with you from the very start, on the train. It even brought back memories of similar conversations I once had myself. I really enjoyed it. Thank you
A really beautiful piece, Angela, and what stays with me is how carefully you honour not knowing.
You don’t turn her story into evidence, diagnosis, or metaphor; you let it stand crooked where it needs to.
And it's that choice that makes the witnessing feel clean rather than extractive.
The moment with the arm, the drink, the dancing — none of it asks to be redeemed or explained.
It’s simply held.
And that final line, about not being alone inside herself for a while, feels exactly right: modest, temporary, and utterly human.
This understands that sometimes the most generous thing we can offer is not coherence, but company.
I appreciate this more than I can say. Letting the story stay crooked felt important, and I’m glad you noticed. Thank you for taking the time with it.
Thank you, Angela, and that's one of the key aspects that make it work so well.
Sometimes all you have to do is just be there. This was lovely… and sad, but lovely all the same.
Being there mattered more than saying anything. Those moments teach you something, whether you expect it or not. Thank you for reading it☺️
I really enjoyed reading this and it's exceptional that you sat listening with no interruptions letting it flow.
She obviously needed someone to talk to and I imagine after what she's been through if it's true, she must feel lonely and scared with her daughter being in the same predicament as her husband.
You wrote this beautifully, it drew me in, this was shared to my subscribers' chat by Priya Hinduja & so glad she shared it, excellent piece!
Thank you for reading so carefully and for sharing it on. I’m grateful it found its way to more readers, and I’m honored that @Priya Hinduja chose to share it in your chat.
Sometimes loneliness can do that - cause one to blurt out their story to a stranger on a train- so much that she carried- for so long alone- dancing was a way for here to connect with her self- so beautiful- and sad - she should really join sub-stack on her mountain she could share each journey and people would listen and she would have a chance to be seen as she was seen by you- she sincerely could see that your spirit would see her and she just made the most of every moment you listened to her..
Surely, talking to a stranger can feel safer than talking so freely to someone close. I think, deep down, people don’t expect to be understood, and that makes it easier to speak. In truth, I wasn’t making a choice in that moment, I was just listening. The reflection came afterward, and then I wrote this story. I also like your thought about her sharing her journeys here; if our paths crossed again, I think I would suggest it. Thank you for taking the time to leave such a generous response.
“The train was already moving when she chose the seat beside me.”
And that’s how I knew this was going to be about staying, not doing. No fixing, no sorting, no brave little speeches... just holding the seat, holding the moment, letting the story wobble and breathe. Quietly powerful in that sneaky way that doesn’t announce itself, just keeps going. Like her. Like the train.
Holding the seat felt like the only honest thing to do. Thank you for reading 😊
Really nice, I like the atmosphere created and all the detail in there. It really does feel like being on a train with you, as it all progresses.
Wonderfully written.
Thanks for taking the ride with me. 😊
Waves of goosebumps. Thank you for telling her story as she told it.
I’m glad it stayed honest. Thank you.
Great touching story...
Just a couple lines I thought were beautiful
"It was there the way weather is there..."
"She was uneven, excessive, difficult to place."
Thanks for pulling those out. I’m glad they reached you ☺️
Great stuff, really fantastic, and so much different from the earlier story. Loved the complete tonal juxtaposition
That’s really nice to hear, I’m happy the contrast felt right. Thanks for reading!
You're most welcome, looking forward to the next surprise from the kitchen
I’ll see what’s simmering 😂
😂👍🏻
I love the way you build the atmosphere from the very beginning—so detailed—and how you immediately draw the reader into this world. I was with you from the very start, on the train. It even brought back memories of similar conversations I once had myself. I really enjoyed it. Thank you
I’m really glad you were there with me. Thank you for reading it.
You told this story very well, and held space for her in a very authentic way.
The way that says "you dont have to be any one kind of way here, you can just be".
And the way you ended it, with a note on her still being in motion and her story un-finished, was very beautiful.
Thank you for writing it.
They really do, sometimes more than the people who stay.