“Oh my god, I just got your message. Where are you?” My sister asks, concern filling her voice. Kate is the eldest and the one I’m closest to. She’s the first person I call in any situation.
“I’m on a train, heading to Mom and Dad’s. Are you there yet?’
“Yeah, we’re all here, and what do you mean you’re on a train? Kennedy, you’ve never got a train in your life,” Kate says, her voice growing louder with each word.
“I am aware of that, Kate, thank you, but since I wasn’t counting on being dumped the day before Christmas, options for transportation were limited,” I whisper hiss.
“Dad would have sent a car.” I can hear the faint chatter of my family in the background, and the tears that threaten to fall sting my eyes.
“I haven't told them yet,” I shamefully admit. How do I admit to the rest of my family that I’ve failed? I didn’t get my internship, and Carson has picked a job opportunity over me.
“What?” Kate yells so loudly; I have to hold the phone away from my ear. “What do you mean you haven't told them? I think they will know something's wrong when you show up alone.”
“I’ll cross that bridge when I reach it, Kate,” I say, annoyed.
“Mom had Sarah make Carson's favorite green bean casserole for dinner,” she states.
“Yeah, well, toss it in the trash.” Is my sister for real right now? My life has come crashing down, and she's worried about our parents’ housekeeper's casserole?
“She’ll be so disappointed to see that go to waste.” Kate slurs the last word.
“Have you been drinking,” I ask sternly as the guy beside me moves, shrugging off his dark dress coat, revealing a black jumper that hugs him in all the right places.
“Yeah, Daniel made eggnog. I’ve only had two, I swear.”
That means she's had four.
“Kenny, I gotta go, Dad is bringing out the good liquor.”
“Sure, I’ll call when I arrive in The Hamptons,” I reply with a tinge of sadness in my voice. I should be there now, starting the celebrations. Instead, I am alone on this god forsaken train, next to a stranger who’s clearly annoyed by my existence.
“Love you, bye,” Kate declares and then hangs up.
I toss the phone back into my purse and sigh.
“Are we going to talk about the ringtone? He asks.
“ No.” I say, my tone clipped.
“Are… you okay?” He guy asks hesitantly, but there seems to be genuine concern in his tone.
“Uh, yeah,” is all I manage as I reach for the pink cosmetic bag that landed in his lap. I have already over-shared with him and the entire carriage. He doesn’t need to hear anymore.
“Sorry about that,” I say sheepishly, placing it back in my purse. Theres an awkward silence as I pick at the sticker on my takeout cup. It’s then I remember our conversation before Kate’s call.
“So, why are you having a rough day?”
He shrugs. “Doesn’t matter.”
I twist in my seat. “Oh no, you aren’t getting out of this. I told you about my dumpster fire of a day. You are sharing.”
His eyes search my features, and my body softens under his gaze. I like the way he looks at me. I shouldn’t, but I do.
“Tell me your name.” It's not a question, more of a demand.
“Why?” I ask, tilting my head.
“I don’t like telling my private life to strangers.”
