A last wave - and then tears
A young couple stand chatting on the Belmont platform. She boards the Red Line, he stays behind on the platform to catch another train.
As she takes her seat on the Red, he waves enthusiastically at her through the window. Another happy couple bidding adieu as they head off to work.
Or so it seems.
As the train pulls away from Belmont, she starts crying. She's trying to be discreet, but the tears are obvious. She stops for a few minutes, and then suddenly screws up her face a bit and starts crying again.
She cries on and off till I get off at Grand. It's quite sad to witness. And it makes me wonder what exactly had sparked the tears. Another CTA mystery.
I like to report that crime against passengers on the CTA have drastically gone down but it's still does exist. The responsibility of protecting riders on the CTA should not and cannot be expected to fall solely on the sholders of the CTA If you witness a crime or witness the possibility of criminal activity, as a citizen you should report it as soon as possible. The saving of someone might equallly be the saving of your self.
Posted by: MARCUS C. COOK | August 06, 2007 at 03:35 PM
...Talk about off topic. Interesting story though.
Posted by: Alex | August 06, 2007 at 04:30 PM
Alex, I'd like to know what you consider to be off topic. Not sure if you're referring to Marcus Cook's of-topic comment, or to my posting today of this kinda sad story.
If it's the latter, let me just remind all readers that this blog is about "things seen and heard on the CTA." So my story is hardly off topic.
Posted by: Kevin | August 06, 2007 at 04:44 PM
It was probably the smell of the red line that induced the tears!
Posted by: Johnson | August 06, 2007 at 05:19 PM
Argh. I have been that chick. Not on that particular day, but that has happened. It's so stupid...the last thing you want to be doing on the train is crying, it's mortifying. Must be much bigger issues at work, there...she has my sympathy.
Posted by: Erin | August 07, 2007 at 07:01 AM
Kevin! You're so defensive. Chill.
Posted by: Anna | August 07, 2007 at 01:04 PM
I assume Alex's comment was saying that "MARCUS C. COOK"'s comment was off-topic(?), which I agree with.
Also, concerning this story, I realize she was trying to hide it, but I mean, come on, it's so annoying having to watch someone cry. (of course you didn't HAVE to, but you know what I mean) - people can control themselves.
Posted by: adam | August 07, 2007 at 03:55 PM
"I mean, come on, it's so annoying having to watch someone cry." Wow. That's kind of a heartless thing to say, man; it's "annoying" for you to watch someone who's in obvious pain. Clearly, that person is having difficulty controlling some strong emotions. Her sadness trumps your annoyance in that case, IMHO. Just look away.
Posted by: Erin | August 07, 2007 at 04:43 PM
It was the first comment that was off topic, the story is nice though.
Posted by: Alex | August 07, 2007 at 06:04 PM
Erin, yes, it is annoying. No one needs to see you crying because you can't handle something. Putting other people in an uncomfortable situation because they cannot comfort you for some very obvious reasons is rude in my opinion.
I think it's one of those woman things; crying and then when asked what's wrong it's always "nothing," despite their being a problem, and then the crying continues.
I never understand why people can't learn to handle emotions, especially in public. If I am having a bad day I try to make sure people don't know about it, rather than broadcasting it.
Wah.
Posted by: adam | August 08, 2007 at 11:23 AM
also, my saying "(of course you didn't HAVE to, but you know what I mean)" is the same as you saying "look away." - that was my point. You don't HAVE to watch them cry, but being in a situation where someone is clearly, blatantly crying it's something people see, notice, etc., without trying to.
Posted by: adam | August 08, 2007 at 11:24 AM
No one is as heartless and cold as you, Adam. Darn us...we're human. Sorry you aren't.
Posted by: painhertz | August 08, 2007 at 12:40 PM