#82

No matter what the circumstances, her body woke itself up between 6:53 and 7:03 each morning. No matter if she went to sleep at 10pm or 5am. No matter if she took a sleeping pill or drank special calming tea. Some things in the body are malleable. Some things are not.

The subway was extra crowded due something problematic with a signal. The weather was extra hot due to something problematic with the ice caps. She had only slept a few hours the night before and was on the verge of a sweaty collapse. When she wedged herself through the doors she saw what looked like several seats available. Upon closer inspection, they were being used by a man who was lying vertically across four seats. He was not asleep. He was lying with his eyes open and listening to music on his headphones.

She was melting and wanted to be angry, but she realized that maybe this man could not control when he woke up either. We all have to wake up, she thought. And if you can’t choose the time, why not choose the place?

She stood, hand grasping pole, slimy with perspiration, flush with possibility.