Bubble Gum Pink

“Damn!” I yelled.

I just missed the train.

The last rain standing between getting to work on time to and now getting to work late. I had just run 7 blocks and up 2 flights of stairs and still got left behind. I could feel my heart beat through my chest and hear it pounding through my ears.

It turned about to be the coldest day in April with snow, slowly coming down. Luckily, the air was cold and stiff. It felt good to take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves.

Slightly huddled, my eyes flick up to a monitor on the platform letting me know the next train will arrive in 10 mins.

This is the 3rd consecutive day, that I will be late to work. I let out a soft groan as I dug into my coat pocket to text my boss “the good” news of my tardiness, wary of the repercussions that await me at the office.

Once I pressed “Send,” my mind goes to a familiar conversation.

“Go Home. Just quit! Your heart hasn’t been into this job for a long time any way. You hate this job.” I let out a sigh of defeat. This is all true, but acknowledging my feelings didn’t change the fact I needed this job. It was my first steady job, in an unreliable job market, in a long time. My parents were proud of me and I couldn’t let myself or them, down.

I drown out my thoughts to Cardi B’s ‘Money’ blasting through my headphones and thats the end of my mental debate, but today I couldn’t shake the feeling. I glanced down the platform and my eyes lingered at the exit sign. The better part of me decided to look back at the monitor. 5 mins.

“Don’t turn back now,” I said softly.

The train itself was late; arriving 11 mins at 11:11am. “Not you too,” I complained when I rolled my eyes at the incoming train.

As it slowed to a halt, the doors finally opened to reveal a crowded morning subway cart. Trying to make my self as small as possible, I slithered into the crowd and nudge myself up against wall. Once I was inside, I noticed one seat, in a two seater, available in the far corner. Not even thinking twice, I lunged myself forward and quickly sat down.

It wasn’t until the train doors closed and I was settled into my vacant seat, that I noticed the person sitting next to me.

Glancing down, it was her shoes that first caught my eye. A sensible stiletto pump, but the color of bubblegum pink. The corner of my left eye traced up the silhouette to reveal the figure wearing a pristine, well tailored bumble gum pink pant suit to match the shoes, and a white button down underneath. Tucked on her lap was large silver briefcase and her long manicured nails, also bumble gum pink, laid gently across. I couldn’t help my curiosity. I turned my head completely to the left to take her all in.

She glowed from head to toe. Giant light brown, golden curls that sat perfectly on her tailored suit shoulders and enveloped her heart shaped face. Warm brown sun kissed skin and hazel brown eyes hid behind bubblegum pink, wide frameless sunglasses. It was like looking at better version of myself. She turned to me, beaming with a smile she asked, ”Do you have the time?”

I don’t know how I missed her because she stood out. She looked expensive I noted, which then prompt me ask why would she be on the subway.

Losing myself in thought as to who this mystery lady was, I was brought back to reality, when I realize she was waiting on a response. “Time?” I thought to myself. “Oh right. The time.” I quickly took my hand out of my coat pocket to flip my right wrist upright. Looking down at the face, I said “Its 12:12pm.”

“Thank you, Christine,” she said warmly.

Before I could question, how did she know my name, she was gone. In fact, so was everyone else. I was alone in an empty train, sitting at the last stop.

What felt like a minute, turned out to be an hour. I felt my heart rate pick up again. My mind raced to peace together the last moments leading to now.

The lady in bubble gum pink knew my name. How?

I turned to where she was sat next to me. Her seat still warm. Laying there was the silver briefcase the woman left behind. With a sigh of relief, I knew I didn’t make this all up. She was here. She was real.

Being a native New Yorker, I was hesitant to investigate. Then remembered her undeniably warm presence and her inviting smile and decided to precede with caution.

The briefcase was cold to touch but surprisingly light to lift. I shook it. Nothing. I felt confident enough to place it on my lap. I ran my fingers along the side until both thumbs hit a ridge. A lock!

Great. Maybe I should just leave it here, it seems like a lot of trouble. But pressing my thumb up on the number dials, I became intrigued once more. I had to see this through.

Ok. Brain, think numbers. My train came late today. 11 minutes late to be exact. And the time was 11:11am. I carefully dialed the numbers 1111 on the locks and flicked at the lock. Nothing!

Think!

The bumble gum pink woman asked the time. It was 12:12pm.

I carefully dialed 1212 on the lock This time, I heard a click. I quickly looked around. I flicked open the lock.

The top of the silver briefcase creaked open. Despite the shiny new exterior, the interior smelled of old books and was lined in black velvet. In the middle was a little black matte notebook bound by a single bubblegum pink ribbon. The book looked new and sat perfectly in the middle of the briefcase. I eagerly picked up the notebook, gently unraveled the ribbon and turned open the hard cover.

On the back of the cover was typed “To Christine. It’s my turn to pay it forward. When the time is right, you will do the same. Signed Fate.”

When I turned the first page, the inside of the book had been cut out with the pages glued down to create a hidden compartment In the middle was a roll of crisp 100 dollar bills with a thick rubber band around it. With astonishment, I peeled off the first 100 dollar bill and held it to the light to make sure it was real. One can’t be too sure. It was real!

After a quick count, I was left with $20,000.

I decided to to still make my way into work, with my new briefcase in hand. This time to quit and become a writer full time because I had to tell this story.