Today is the final day. The drop dead day. If Danielle does not take the train into town and brave the crazy, frenzied crowd she will have nothing. Nothing to put under the tree. Nothing to signal her undying love for Patrick, the guy she is currently “seeing”. The word love had bubbled up between them lately in conversation. At first it was weighted. But now they say I love you, sometimes whisper it with casual ease. She fills the kettle. While waiting for the water to boil she ties her shoes then feeds her cats. All the while she avoids glancing at the clock, knowing full well she’s missed her train.

(Image: Tim Duch)