CHRISTMAS TEARS
1108 Words
Julia scanned the train car, eyes darting from row to row until she spotted a window seat. Perfect. She slid in quickly, placing her bag on her lap like a shield, adjusting herself for a quiet, peaceful ride.
Or so she hoped.
A few minutes later, a tall young man stopped beside her row.
“Anyone sitting here?” he asked politely.
Julia’s first instinct was to say yes—to claim the empty seat and the silence that came with it. But one glance around the train told her the harsh truth: every other seat was taken.
She sighed inwardly. “No. You can sit.”
“Thanks,” he said with a friendly smile as he settled beside her.
Julia turned immediately to the window, determined to lose herself in the blur of passing scenery.
“Going on holiday?” the guy asked casually.
She didn’t turn. Didn’t smile. Didn’t engage. After a moment, she answered flatly, “Yes,” and went right back to the window.
“Let me guess,” he continued, undeterred. “Visiting your boyfriend? Or maybe your aunt?”
Julia ignored him completely.
“I’m Kevin, by the way.” He extended his hand between them. His smile was warm, hopeful.
Julia stared at it for several seconds before finally giving it a light shake. “Julia.”
“Nice name,” he said. “I’m actually on my way to New York to see my family. It’s my daughter’s birthday today. I want to surprise her—she has no idea I’m coming.”
Julia’s head turned slightly. “You love your daughter.”
“I love my family,” Kevin corrected gently. “My wife’s pregnant, and my daughter wrote to Santa asking him to make her baby sibling arrive on Christmas Day. So… fingers crossed.”
Julia raised a brow. “How childish of you.”
Kevin laughed softly. “Haven’t you heard? Christmas is magical. You just have to believe in it. Trust me—your Christmas will be magical too.” He winked.
She scoffed. “You sound just like my best friend right now. And it’s… sickening.”
“What did she wish for?” Kevin asked, genuinely curious.
“She wished for her prince charming,” Julia said quietly. “And Santa gave her a twisted version that nearly killed her.”
Kevin’s smile faded, uncertainty flickering in his eyes—but before he could reply, the train intercom crackled.
“We’ve arrived at Hamilton Train Station. Please gather your belongings. Have a wonderful holiday, and Merry Christmas, everyone!”
Julia exhaled, bracing herself—because her journey was only just beginning.
“Ok then, Miss Julia. I hope you have a nice vacation.”
Kevin shook her hand with a cheerful smile.
“Yeah… you too,” she replied, forcing a small nod before pulling her hand away.
Julia grabbed her suitcases and joined the small crowd exiting the train. The sound of Jingle Bells floated lightly through the station speakers, mixing with the chatter of travelers. Christmas garlands curled around every pillar, fake snow dusted the ticket counters, and employees wore Santa hats.
There sure is Christmas here, she thought bitterly as she made her way toward the booking office.
A young man in a bright red Santa hat smiled at her from behind the counter.
“Good evening, ma’am. How may I help you?”
Julia dropped her bags with a sigh and reached for her phone. “I want to book a ticket to New York. If possible, the next train—if it hasn’t left.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He typed quickly, eyes flicking across the screen.
Minutes passed. Too many minutes.
“Well?” Julia snapped softly, impatience creeping into her voice.
The boy swallowed.
“I… I’m sorry, ma’am. But trains going to New York have been temporarily suspended due to a heavy snowstorm blocking the entrance tunnel.”
Julia stared. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“What I mean is…” He hesitated. “…there are no trains going to New York for now. Possibly not until next year. We can still pre-book your ticket, but—”
The rest of his words blurred into meaningless noise.
No. No, no, no. Am I supposed to go back to New Jersey? After everything? After finally leaving? This can’t be happening…
Her legs felt weak. She pushed herself up, staggering a little, and walked out of the office with no clear direction, just moving—anywhere—trying not to fall apart.
After several minutes of wandering aimlessly through the station, she dropped onto a bench and buried her face in her palm. Her chest tightened painfully.
I’ll call Claire. She’ll know what to do.
She lifted her head—
and froze.
Her bags…
Her phone…
She’d left everything.
“Shit.” Julia shot to her feet and ran back the way she thought she had come, but the station suddenly felt like a maze. Nothing looked familiar.
“Excuse me—” she began to ask a man passing by, but he brushed right past her.
She tried again with another person.
And another.
And another.
No one stopped.
Then—
Security.
She spotted a uniformed officer walking by and practically sprinted toward him.
“Excuse me, sir!” she gasped.
“Yes, miss?” He turned to her immediately.
“My bags—my phone—everything. I can’t find them. I left them somewhere, I don’t know where, I—” Her voice trembled as panic took over.
“Alright, calm down.” He placed a steady hand on her shoulder. “Where did you last go?”
“The office. To book my ticket to New York. I… I think I forgot them there.”
“Okay. Follow me.”
They walked quickly back to the booking office.
“This is it,” the officer said.
Julia pushed inside. “My bag—did you see my bag?” she cried.
The ticketing officer looked up from his desk.
“Oh, yes. I did. I wanted to call you back, but a young girl said not to bother—that she was with you. She took everything.”
Julia’s scream tore straight from her chest.
“No, no, no—!” Her knees buckled as people turned to stare.
“Miss, calm down,” the officer urged, trying to hold her steady.
But Julia couldn’t.
Couldn’t breathe.
Couldn’t think.
Her entire world had just collapsed in one snowy, Christmas-decorated train station.
Indeed… this Christmas was going to be eventful.
- Writer
