Athens train

She could see him at the  bottom of the street, looking down at his empty hands. 

The two of them had taken the small tourist train from the far side of the Acropolis over ancient marble streets in the direction of  Plaka to get back to their hotel.  Sitting in front of them were a group of blonde Scandinavians. They were sunburnt and talkative about all they had seen.  She could have easily shared their excitement but she took her cues from him.

Suddenly, their street came into view. The train was not stopping. He got up and jumped over the side of the train , onto the street.  He jumped with no conversation , no consideration of her. It was what he wanted to do and that was all. The train sped away leaving her half standing, half sitting, alone, unable to follow.

The other passengers encouraged her to jump but the train had rounded the corner and was going downhill now into the shade, far away from her stop and where he had abandoned her. She could feel tears starting to build and a wave of hurt and embarrassment flooded her heart. She was captive and had to wait until the little train finally stopped.

She ducked off quickly in the exiting confusion, hurrying back from where the train had come from, uphill back into the sun. She rushed thinking they would lose each other if she didn't get to him quickly. She made it to the top of the street . Shielding her eyes with her hands, she could see him in the distance. He was looking down at his empty hands as if sand was spilling through them. Seeing him from afar, like this, some part of her understood, that he would never have anything to offer her.