Nonfiction, Writing
A short nonfiction story.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the hardest thing I’ve had to do.“
My hands clenched the book I was reading, and my heart fluttered. Between my book and my headphones, I had not noticed the man standing next to me enter the train. I let my eyes flicker over to him for a moment before going back to my book. Sweat formed on my hands but I bent one knee and tried to look nonchalant. I looked back at the man, just in case I needed to memorize details of his face. Long, wavy brown hair escaped from his red baseball cap, but his eyes were covered. But there was nothing to worry about, I told myself. I have to stop watching Law and Order.
The doors closed, and I felt trapped. Only one stop to go. What did this man want?
His hands were twitching, and his voice shook when he spoke. “I was a soldier in Afghanistan, and I was honorably discharged after an accident triggered my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and caused me nerve damage.“
He bowed his head, and his voice cracked. “I’ve lost everything. I’ve tried to contact the government for help, but there has been no response. I just—I just don’t know what to do anymore.“
Tears began to well up in my eyes. He looked like a little boy, broken and scared.
“It’s been an honor to serve this country,“ he said. “I’m truly grateful. If you can find it in your hearts to give me any scraps of food, or some spare change, I’d really appreciate it.“
My hand was already in my purse, digging for my wallet. It was five days before Christmas; of course I was giving him money. He saw what I was doing, and he stood in front of me, waiting.
The train stopped, and the doors opened. I placed the money in his hand, and for a brief moment, I could feel his hand, warm in mine.
“Thank you,“ he said, his eyes looking directly into mine. I had to look away, before I started to cry. Nodding, I turned and briskly walked off the train, up the stairs and onto the street, feeling grateful that I had met a man who had been through so much and not given up hope, and grateful that I was able to in some small way help him.