In a winter storm during rush hour

It’s snowing. I was the only person on the platform in Huntington. Sitting in the train, while a man smokes a cigarette outside the open door, the smoke drifts in with the cool air and I take it all into the back of my throat. Today, the MTA is testing their new snow policy. If we get hit with more than 10 inches, the trains will stop running. They plan on running the regular schedule this morning and later adding trains in the early afternoon commute back home. The intention is to shut down the system later, when the largest accumulation will occur and commuters are abandoned on icy platforms. My goal is to get into New Hyde Park and get a free lunch and put in a few hours of work. Yesterday, the panic was settling in. Schools began closing in anticipation for today’s storm, but here’s what I understand, the monster of the mess is happening later. So, why not keep the schools open and let the tikes trudge through the ice and melting snow and prove to themselves, nothing is going to stop them from getting a good education. I should have run this morning. That would have been best. Why? Top prove nothing will stop me from getting in a good run. The snow was falling this morning, and I don’t need to slip and crack my head open. We’re moving. The train is empty. Listening to U2 on my iPod. I’m facing strangers and there’s a woman sitting alone who looks like Laura Turner, but I doubt it’s her. Laura would recognize me and say something. We just picked up some passengers in Cold Spring Harbor. Snow falls from damp hair and thick coats. One looks at me with a hint of disdain, hey what did I do? Just typing words into this machine, and watching clouds of snow swirl outside the hazy windows. Don’t make eye contact with stranger and stop glancing at Laura Turner. It’s not her.