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April 2002 Storyteller Collaboration The Blue Princess on the Subway by Sabine N. She folded her hands in her lap and gulped down a sob. The subway car suddenly lurched in the dark tunnel, the lights flickering, and she grabbed hold of the silver pole momentarily to steady herself before once again plopping her hands in her lap. She sighed heavily and closed her eyes tightly to avoid the spill of tears that was threatening. All in all, Sophia felt miserable. For the next half hour, she traveled from station to station, watching the passengers exit and enter at every stop. Sometimes she looked at their faces and wondered if they too had ever felt as horribly blue as she did. It was best to be in darkness when one was experiencing such a feeling, thought Sophia. A heavyset woman with a lined face and carrying a huge shopping bag launched herself into the empty space beside her. The woman’s perfume seemed contradictory to the woman herself. Unlike the heavy veil of fragrance she’d been expecting, Sophia found herself breathing in a very light barely there scent of citrus and something vaguely floral. Her eyes moved to one side to take another look at the woman. Her eyes were closed and the relaxation on her face had miraculously ironed out the wrinkles. The woman looked totally at peace and a sudden envy grew inside Sophia. How was it others around her could lead untroubled lives and she couldn’t? Another long sigh erupted from Sophia. “Are you ok?” Startled, Sophia found the woman looking at her, large brown eyes full of only kindness and concern. “I mean, do you have enough room?” “Yes.” A slow redness crept into Sophia’s cheeks. “I’m fine. I – I have enough room. Sorry, I was just –“ She stopped, not wanting to explain herself. “A lot on your mind?” The woman’s cherry coloured lips curved. “Um, yes.” Sophia instinctively clasped her arms around herself. She didn’t wish to share anything with this stranger. She just wasn’t in the mood for talking. Should she get up and leave? Or would that be rude. “I know how you feel.” Continued the woman without being prompted. Her bulky arms rested on the shopping bag, flattening it somewhat. “Real life is never like the story of a princess in her castle.” Sophia frowned. How was it possible this woman could begin to understand her situation? They both remained quiet until the next stop when the woman rose. She bestowed another smile on Sophia. “Don’t worry, Princess, there’s always tomorrow.” With a wink, she stepped off the subway. For a moment, Sophia sat still, the simple words the woman had spoken stuck in her mind. The stranger was right. Her heart fluttered and she knew what she had to do, what she wanted to do. At the next stop, she would get off, find a phone and get a ride home. The End |