Jerome

Most days riding the train is boring. I sit in my seat with my iPod plugged in my ears and look out the window watching the city pass by.

This morning was different.

At the next to last stop before mine, a young woman and her two kids got on the train. One was a baby -- no more than 4 months old. The other was a little guy of about 2.

I fell in love with that boy in an instant.

He sat next to me on the lap of an elderly lady (She was helping this mom with the kids, but I don't think they actually knew each other. The got on the train together but got off seperately) I reached out my hand so he would give me "five" and he clasped onto my fingers. He held my hand the rest of the ride. And while he held my hand he would give me a shy smile and bat his long, curly eyelashes at me. This kid was a FLIRT and he had me wrapped around his little finger. One time he giggled about something only he knows of and the sound of it made me melt.

At first I said "Nice to meet you!" but when he didn't let go of my hand I just started talking to him. Saying things like "you are such a big guy" and "are you ready for Santa?". He never said a word to me - except when he saw the train at the next station. Then he just lit up and said "AHHH!"

Finally, it came time for me to get off the train; he and his mom were getting off there, too. We all stood up and the elderly lady set Jerome down on the floor. He turned around as fast as he could, peered around her legs, held his hand up to me and said "Come on"...

His mom giggled and said "Jerome, she can't go with us!"

I wish I could though. I wish I could.