I looked at my cellphone clock. I was 4:30 am, and we were tired. I wanted the train to come. I wanted to sleep in a seat that might be a little softer than a park bench. There is a man sleeping on a bench down the way a little, and he looks like a regular at 3rd Street Station.

I think,”I have my life on my back.” I had my old backpack, all my possessions nestling my spine like a heavy monster.

Julia asked me if I had any gum earlier, and I knew I did. I reached into the small front section and felt around. There was no gum.

But what I found was even stickier.