The Strength Within Us All

Today on the train...well actually a while back. I've been wondering if I was even going to write about this experience. It makes me nervous to think about even, but I think it's an important story to tell.


After the rush hour dies down the train becomes pretty empty so when I was getting physical therapy done on my knee and had to take a later train, there was barely anyone on it. This was before I sat in a caboose that was connected to the driver, and before I made an effort to get a seat where no one would sit next to me.


Just like every other day, I sat in one of the many open seats next to a window and got my book out. A few stops down the line a man got on and sat right next to me. He put his arm up on the railing in front of us, kind of boxing in the row. I looked at him from the corner of my eye and went back to reading. 


As the ride continued his leg got closer and closer to mine. I normally sit pretty close to the window anyways but I kept trying to scoot over. Finally, there was not any more space to fill and every part of the side of his leg was touching mine. My heart started to race. I tried to make excuses. Maybe he just had a different sense of personal space, but then he started to "giggle" a little, a creepy quiet giggle. 


I really don't remember what stop he finally got off at. I do remember that the side of my body that he was sitting near, still radiated his heat. I knew it was inappropriate, but it was over. At least that's what I thought. 


The next time I had physical therapy he was there again. Again I was in an empty caboose and he sat right next to me. I knew it was him because of the way he sat down, with his arm over the railing and his outfit was the same as before. This time I wasn't going to let him make me feel that way! I wasn't going to be a victim and let him get his rocks off by making me feel uncomfortable.


I told myself that if he started to do it again that I would tell him to move. My heart raced. I wasn't reading anymore. I was just waiting for him to start, which of course he did. I didn't know if I could get the words out because my heart was racing so fast. 


"You need to move your leg!" I said looking from his leg to his face. He seemed startled, moved his leg and got off at the next stop.


I was so proud of myself! He was NOT going to make me feel threatened! And that, my friends is why this is