Jillian Chantal

Today’s word is Hardy for the Tuesday Tales ladies. I lost my manuscript and freaked out, but finally found it in the recycle bin of my computer. *whew*  I used the prompt in a different way — hopefully, no one else did the same.  🙂

Check out the other tales here.

I staggered toward Martin’s seat as the train rumbled on.

When I got to his side, he’d stopped the rocking back and forth but was still clearly upset. I took hold of his hand. “It’s all right. They’re separated now.”

“I can’t deal with people arguing. I just can’t.”

“That’s perfectly understandable. I’m with you on that. I’d much rather people get along. Drama is not fun.” I was hoping to distract him, but he kept staring at Rashmi.

“How can she treat her son like that?” Martin’s face was still ashen. “He has a problem and she doesn’t care. She’s terrible.”

“That’s not really fair, Martin. All we know is what we see on this train twice a day. We have no idea what all has gone on over the years at their home. She’s always trying to help him into rehab and now, it seems he’s taken off again when she had to work hard to get him admitted.”

“Of course you’d take her side. Women always stick together.”

“Hang on a second, Martin,” Kent said. “Jane’s right. Who knows the whole story except Rashmi and her son? We can’t judge what just happened.”

“Hardy, har, har. Maybe you two can’t, but I can. Anyone who smacks someone else around deserves to be judged. Clearly, the two of you lead sheltered lives.”

“Hardly,” Kent said. He walked away and I was tempted to do the same. This man was our friend we’d been worried about for a long time and now he was acting like we were the villains? Pfft.

“I think you’re wrong, Martin, but we’re all entitled to our opinions.” I shook my head. “I came over here to comfort you as you seemed to be upset, but since you’re fine, I’ll head back to my seat.”

“Yeah, over there by your bum boyfriend.” This man who I thought was meek actually sneered at me. How could I have been so mistaken about him for so long?