One-stop.

Michelle has been coming to the same spot each day, watching people aboard and depart from the train. It’s been her way of passing the time. Plus, she hands out flowers to each person she sees. She lives alone in a cottage that sat far back in the woods, surrounded by the beautiful flower garden, that she takes pride and joy over. There weren’t anymore trains coming for the night, she thought to herself.

She decided it was time to leave and go back to her lonely cottage. Just as her departure, she took a glance back and sees a train approaching.

She sits and waits there with great anticipation, wondering who would step off. Sitting there staring at the train seemed like forever, so Michelle grabbed her basket of flowers and went over to get a closer look. Moving toward the train she found it odd that no one has left it, gets closer and sees that there’s no one aboard it. Pacing forward, she stops after hearing the door open but doesn’t see anyone get off or try to get on.

Staring at the opened door, dared her enough to peek in a little more.

Her eyes widen from the mystery voice. “Come on board,” “Is he talking to me?” “Yes, we have been expecting you,” Didn’t think twice about it, step her way up on the train and took a seat wondering what destination she’s head to.

All the excitement had cause Michelle to nod off, she woke up hearing the man say. “Final destination,” Got up from her seat. “Hey Mr, how am I going to get back home,” Michelle kept talking. They gave no response to her.

She steps off the train. Looking around, notices everything looks the same, did the train even move, she says to herself. Standing there watching everyone, she sees a man waving his hand while looking in her direction and calling her name.

“He’s not someone I know,” she says. He gets closer and grabs her.

“I missed you,” he whispers. “Come, let’s get home, everyone is waiting and dinner is ready,” “It must be a dream,” she mumbles. “No sweetie, I just missed my wife,” Sitting back, enjoying the ride, Michelle realizes this is the same path she takes to get to her home. Watches as they pass where it should have been; they pulled up to this nice big beautiful home. He blows the horn. Children come running out along with grown-ups. A baby girl reaches up, opens the car door and says. “Hi, grandma,” “We missed you, mom,” Standing there in disbelief, all she thinks is I’m having a dreaming or must have turn crazy from being so lonely were her thoughts. “Honey, I have a surprise,” he says. Reaches for Michelle’s hand and they walk over to the side of the house. Her eyes fill with tears while she stares at the greenhouse; she thought about the small cottage with her beautiful flower garden. “Happy anniversary, I worked night and day on it for you,” “It’s lovely”, she says with eyes full of emotion. The children came to join them and brought back a cake that has Happy Anniversary, Benjamin and Michelle on it. Michelle understands that this may not be her reality, and very well could be a dream or have gone mad, Whatever parallel universe it may be, she embraces and holds on tight while it’s here.

Thanks for reading!