KARA Ha ha 6 mos is a loooooong time The woman next to Kara shifted and snuggled in even more making her really wish the train would just hurry up and get to the station already She sent a quick message to Natalie KARA At least I have some company on the train the woman next to me is practically sleeping on my shoulder Natalie responded within seconds NAT OMG Kara laughed as quietly as should could which made her shoulders bounce up and down a few times As luck would have it the sleeping woman next to her snorted and woke up Now approaching the PA’s robotic voice said Peapack Station The woman looked up as if she’d never fallen asleep and grabbed her purse She looked through it quickly as though making sure everything was still there Without a word she stood up as the train slowed to let passengers off at the station Hope you enjoyed your nap Kara thought She suddenly suddenly felt like she had all of the room in the world to stretch out HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA
She watched as the woman left the train and walked across the platform to wherever she was heading As the PA system warned everyone to please stand clear and that the doors were closing Kara felt a smile spread across her face Almost there When Kara stepped out of the train with the rest of the passengers at Gladstone Station she considered considered heading right back into the train Standing on the platform with a big colorfully decorated sign that said WELCOME TO NJ KARA was her best friend in the world Natalie Willen Kara Nichols Natalie cried waving the sign up and down Over here We’re over here Kara Nichols Kara felt her face burn red What a dork If her hair wasn’t cut so short Kara would’ve hidden her face behind it She could feel the eyes of dozens of strangers looking over at her It was a strange combination combination of being happy and experiencing complete embarrassment As she approached Kara and her mom she shook her head her smile bigger than ever You are the worst Kara said and gave her friend a hug And by that I mean you’re the best PHANTOM OF THE TRACKS
Welcome to NF Kara
It’s good to see your dumb face again Natalie said hugging her back You know in person I mean When they finally let go of each other Natalie’s mom gave Kara a quick hug too Hi sweetie she said We’ve missed you Thanks Mrs Willen Kara said Me too So what Natalie said you didn’t like the sign Natalie held it out again as if she was planning to draw more attention to the three of them Kara looked at it and nodded Her name was written in big bold letters and outlined with gold glitter pen There were little fuzz balls glued across the face of it It was big and loud and over the top just like Natalie I love it Kara said I wanted it to be like those limousine guys who wait for important people at the airport Natalie said Right Kara said But we’re at a train station in New Jersey and your mom drives A minivan Natalie finished Close enough The three of them walked toward the small parking lot just past the small green station house Other people people were getting into their vehicles to continue their commute Kara Nichols everybody Natalie shouted as they PHANTOM OF THE TRACKS
