A bustling crowd filled the platform of the small-town Amtrak station. Locals with heavy bags looked on with curiosity at the noisy group gathered nearby. It was a big day for the community—they were seeing off a local boy for his first tour of duty. Someone was playing a lively tune on a guitar, a few people were singing along, while others struggled to keep their composure.
At the center of the gathering stood the man of the hour—a young recruit named Mike. Tall and athletic, with a heavy rucksack on his shoulders, he tried to give everyone a moment of his time, nodding at advice and shaking hands. With one arm, he held his high school sweetheart, Sarah, who was quietly crying against his chest.
With his other arm, Mike hugged his mother, Eleanor, whose eyes were red despite her best efforts to stay stoic. Nearby, his father, Bill, shifted from foot to foot, occasionally giving his son’s shoulder a firm, proud squeeze. To his parents and Sarah, it felt as though they would give anything to make these final minutes last forever.
Suddenly, the sharp whistle of the approaching locomotive cut through the air. The group went quiet, and the guitar music trailed off. As the train began to slow at the platform, the well-wishers started counting the cars as they slid past.
“There’s your ride, Mike!” one of his friends shouted. “Car four, right in front of us!” Indeed, the passenger car stopped perfectly in front of the group. Family and friends rushed in for one last round of hugs.
“Do your job and keep your head down, son,” Bill said, his voice thick with pride. Eleanor finally lost her composure, clinging to her boy, while Sarah hung onto his neck. “Alright, everyone, take it easy,” Mike said, his own voice wavering slightly.
“Mom, Sarah—I promise, I’ll be fine. I have to go.” He gave them both a quick kiss, waved to his buddies, and stepped onto the train. As the steel giant began to roll, the crowd waved in unison, and Mike pressed his face to the glass, waving back until they were out of sight.
The train picked up speed, letting out one final blast of the horn as it headed toward the horizon. Sarah remained motionless, staring at the point where the train had disappeared. Beside her stood Eleanor, the woman who had just been weeping on her son’s shoulder.
Suddenly, their eyes met. “What are you still doing here?” Eleanor spat, her voice cold and sharp. “Go on, get lost. And don’t think for a second that my Mike is coming back to someone like you.” “Why are you being so cruel, Mrs. Miller?” Sarah whispered, stunned.
“I love Mike. I’m going to wait for him,” she added firmly. “Oh, please,” Eleanor scoffed. “You’re just as flighty as your mother was. Go on, find yourself some other boy to bother. Leave my son alone.”
