This Morning There Was Hope

For three-word Wednesday

buckle, evade, wedge

He was trying to wedge himself next to her, but the subway was full and there wasn’t even room enough for that. A nearby drunk belched fouled air, momentarily polluting the mood. She coughed, trying to evade the kindness of his smile, before returning one of her own. He would stand next to her tomorrow and perhaps find the courage to finally say “hello.” For now, there was nothing in the world but the hope that his knees wouldn’t buckle when he saw her again, and that she would say “hello” back to him before the doors of the subway opened up to rush her away.