Screeches rang throughout the train cabins as it slowed to a complete stop. After stopping, the conductor announced instructions for departing. A moment after his instructions, many had begun standing up and walking into the aisles to leave. Francisco was situated on the inner seat of their pair, so the only option was to wait for the man to go into the aisle and depart. While waiting, he thought about what to do after departing as it was vague.

‘I don’t have much, but getting a taxi to take me should not be out of the question. Although if I really wanted to save money, taking a bus would be a good idea. Although I’ll have to find one to take me to Dalton otherwise It’d be a pain in the ass getting to it.’

Atlanta was not much of a large city; only a portion of it held the monumental skyscrapers that stood out, while the rest was allocated for residential apartments and houses towards the outskirts. Of course, this could be said for every city.

Although he had never been to Atlanta, Francisco knew it would not be much different from California. And even if they were different now, they would eventually become the same.

Finally gathering himself, the man stood up at a snail’s pace as he stretched his back and twisted it. More crackling and popping commenced as it became clear the ride took a heavy toll on his elderly body. In accordance with the man standing up, Francisco also stood up and prepared to leave before the old man stopped him. Speaking to him one final time before they separated.

“Hey. Wait a second.”

“What.”

“Don’t act so shy with me; I slept with ya’ after all.”

“Don’t say it like that.”

“I’m just messin' with ya. We’ll probably never see each other again after this, so I just wanted to say… You gotta lighten up, young man. Life’s too short to get caught up in the past.”

“…”

“I know I gave you all that shit for not seeing your mother, but I was hoping you’d understand how fucked up that is.”

“What’s your name.”

“Huh? It’s Earl Ingram.”

“Listen, Earl, don’t try to lecture me on sh*t I already knew. I don’t care how fucked up it sounds to you. You don’t know my life; you don’t know shit about me. What gives you the right to try and lecture me on shit you couldn’t even have a slight clue about.”

“Young man-”

“Earl, I’m sure our lives were much different from each other’s. We are not the same; don’t try to connect our lives. We were raised differently, loved differently, and conditioned differently. You and I will never understand each other.”

“I might not understand you now, but when you need a shoulder to lean on, someone to listen. I’ll-…”

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Earl stopped talking and dug into his trouser pocket to pull out a notepad. Then, with a pen, he proceeded to write something on it and pass it to Francisco. Hesitating for a moment, Francisco grabbed it and stared at it.

“It’s my property address. Whether you want to talk or simply visit, I’d be happy to listen.”

“What if I come and rob you?”

“I’ll have my rifle for you then.”

“…”

“I know you’re a good person, whether you believe it or not. I got at least 40 years on you. My eyes are more accustomed than yours. Although they can’t see much now.”

Francisco stared down at the address Earl handed him and saw that it also included a phone number on it.

“I also gave you my home phone if you want to just chat.”

Then, taking Francisco by surprise, Earl gave him a heavy hug.

“Aye, bring it in!”

Although the man was old, he had a significant force in him. Nearly suffocating Francisco in his grip. Then, after a minute or two, Earl finally let him go and stared at him, once again affirming his thoughts.

“…There’s also another reason I gave you that. My grandson once looked like you as well.”

“?”

“I don’t know what it is, but you two seem similar. Maybe not in situations, but in emotions.”

“I doubt-”

“Not to be heavy again, but he killed himself.”

“!”

“I remember the day before he did it. He looked nearly identical to you; I could see it in his eyes. The emptiness. At the time I didn’t realize it, but seeing you now brought about those memories. And I can see it now. Your demeanor and eyes. It was in the eyes.”

“…”

“Haha, sorry again. I just don’t want to see you on the news, alright.”

Turning away from Francisco, he stepped on the aisle and departed the train. While Francisco stood next to his seat for a moment processing what the man said. Although he would never do it, he had also once thought about ending it during those months in the apartment. Even now, the eventual thought comes into his head. But he had never expected Earl to have gone through something like that.

After his moment of thought, Francisco proceeded to step onto the aisle and walk out of the train. Outside, the now evening sun beamed down, causing sweat to form on Francisco’s head and for him to use his hand to cover the sun to gather his surroundings. Around him, crowds of people walked around and left. Some were talking to family members or random strangers, while others simply left. Through the crowd, Francisco looked for Earl to say his goodbyes. Although he was a pain in the ass, he was a good man. Someone Francisco could appreciate, no matter how different they were.

Tens of feet away, Earl could be seen talking to a group of people that seemed to be his family. Smiles were spread across each one of their faces as a happy aura exuded from all of them. Seeing him speaking to his family, Francisco hesitated to approach him, not wanting to interrupt their moment. However, Francisco had something he wanted to say to Earl. He thought Earl might have wanted to hear this, at least.

Approaching Earl with soft yet resounding steps, the evening sun lowered with every passing second as birds chirped and people chattered. Francisco arrived right behind Earl and spoke in a resounding yet mellow voice that permeated the surroundings.

“Earl.”

“Yeah?”

“I’ll be okay.”

Staring at Francisco, Earl stared past him and saw someone. A youth he only sees now in his memories. A boy who had left his life bizarrely and incredulously. That was who he saw—his grandson. Francisco had disappeared, and in his place was the boy whom his daughter had birthed in a deep struggle. His grandson stood with determined and bright eyes, contrary to what he looked like on the day he died. And as soon as Francisco had spoken, he imagined his grandson saying that. Affirming to him that he would be okay. No matter whether that place was heaven or hell. Or if it was neither of those, he would be okay.

“See ya, Earl.”

With tears in his eyes and sorrowful laughs pouring out of his mouth, Earl stepped over and gave another big hug to Francisco while patting him on the back.

“Hahahaha! I’ll see ya too, Francisco! Live the best life you can.”

Francisco separated from Earl and left; meanwhile, everyone from Earl’s family looked confused, wondering what they had just witnessed. Specifically, Earl’s third daughter asked confused.

“Who was that dad?”

“A new friend.”