I’d expected an ordinary train ride to my mother’s birthday, but the stranger beside me had other plans. He made himself comfortable at my expense, then laughed when I asked him to stop. I was ready to give up my seat until I noticed something about his behavior that gave me an idea.
“You’re seriously reporting me?” the shirtless man demanded. “Even after I apologized?”
I looked at the conductor standing beside our seats.
“Yes. I’d like you to include what happened after your first warning.”
The man turned toward me.
“Come on, lady. I’ve already apologized!”
“You’re seriously reporting me?”
Funny: an hour earlier, he hadn’t even cared enough to ask my name.
Now he was acting like we were old friends.
The conductor reached for his report sheet.
My seatmate grabbed his ticket.
Now he was acting like we were old friends.
