koleeta

yesterday on the train I tried to ignore a very public breakup.

There was a couple sitting on the Gold line. He looked like a young Keith Richards, he carried a long black umbrella. She looked like a mix of pre-makeover Courtney Love and Brittany Murphy in a fitted dress suit. I tried to ignore them for as long as possible but they were having one of those talking loud and obviously arguing without having to raise our voices kind of fights. We were pulling into Union Station when I heard him say something about "promising not to lie to me again" and then something about not making a scene when they get to the next train. He was being extremely condescending but I don't know the whole story, maybe she deserved it.

She got off the train and we all walked from the Gold line platform to the Red/Purple line platform. At one point he ran past her down the escalators and she was still walking at a constant speed, in a very self righteous manner.

Unfortunately he made it to the train before we could (I was walking a bit behind her) and it pulled away. Once it was out of the station I saw her run behind a pillar and collapse into a sobbing heap.

I didn't know what to do. I wanted to talk to her, ask her if she needed help... but ultimately how could I help? I couldn't help. So I did nothing. I did nothing but hesitate and feel awful for her. I watched her get on a purple line train, looking as dignified as she could, chin up, with only a hint of wet eyes.