by Penelope Moore

Created on: November 21, 2008   Last Updated: November 26, 2008

The Metro train screeched to a halt to let on the last of its anxious passengers. Everyone loading was likely going home or going to a family gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving the next day. Alone, by himself; a Caucasian man sat all by his lonesome with his face buried in a Homes and Gardens Magazine. Everyone around him was chattering with excitement with their friends, family members or even a stranger near-by; but he, the man in the dilapidated Plaid jacket, kept to himself in his own lonely world. He was the kind of man that most people don't even notice, but leave it to the Windy City to present amorous people.

"Joe!" called out Trinity, a very beautiful, large sized African-American lady. She clutched tightly to her grocery bags full of goodies to prepare at the family dinner while the coach rocked violently from side to side. "Stay here with Jay-Jay, while I go say hello to this gentleman here." She signaled her handsome twelve year old son to stand closer to his father. She dragged her bags through the tight crowd to the other side of the car and sat next to the man with the Plaid jacket. She just sat there at first trying to seem like any ordinary passenger needing a seat. She was glad to be sitting down after all. She huffed, "Boy, it sure is stuffy here, isn't it?" she said to the man.

For a moment there was only silence. Trinity wondered if she should just forget it and go back over to Joe and Jay-Jay. She decided to give it another shot. "Oh, this darned turkey is sure going to be an aweful pain since my husband doesn't know how to cook. I told him that twenty-eight pounds was too much. We have a fairly small family. It will just be my son, my husband and my cat." She just wanted to casually let him know that her family was open to the idea of strangers. "What are you doing for Thanksgiving? Any Children?" she hoped she wasn't aggravating him. After a few seconds, he put down his magazine and looked at her. How could anyone resist her pleasant smile? She was just so friendly looking and cheerful.

"No, I don't have much family." said the man with a sturdy southern accent, "I just moved up here last year after the devastating hurricane Katrina. You see, I lost my only family; my wife. The only thing that keeps me going is my steady job at the Sausage factory."

"Well, I am very sorry to hear that. That must be hard on you. Sounds like you are long over-due for some new friends. How would you like to join us for Thanksgiving? We would love the company!"

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