Back on Solid and Intarwebbed Ground

Chicago - Round Two. Same Panera, different table. (Ok, one table over. What can I say? I'm a creature of habit)

I was getting settled in my seat on the Amtrak commuter bus from Houston to Longview, innocently listening to some Christmas tunes, when what to my wondering eyes should appear but, CREEPER! He waved at me with his creepy little sparkle in his eye that said, "I knew you would be on this bus/train again." I had a funny feeling I was going to be in for a long afternoon, day, evening. 

I avoided him for a good bit of the bus ride out. He was talking loudly about visiting his girlfriend for the Thanksgiving holiday. I tuned in to the word "intimate" and immediately turned my ears off. There are certain things you don't talk about in public with people you don't know, and one of those things is intimacy. 

He caught up with another younger girl and I on the platform at Longview. They were calling for families first, and he suggested we say we are cousins so we can get on together and that he would get seats for us. I bit. I know. I'm horrible because of it, but I really wanted a window seat and I wanted to sit with someone not creepy (this girl, not creeper friend). 

Things went well. He seemed to woo the affection of an older lady drinking Heinekens out of a cooler. People were obnoxious in the wee hours of the morning when they got on the train. I was irritated. The girl I was next to left in Springfield, and I found hope in being able to stretch out and enjoy the space as I finished my coffee and read my book. 

Then, creeper came back from eating, saying he hoped he could keep his food down because he had felt ill the entire ride. 

There is nothing I like less than vomit. 

He looked at me. Stared at me even while I was sitting innocently reading  (still) and said, "I think you're beautiful." 

Panic. 

He continued to be creepy the rest of the way, scooting over towards me as he slept. He told me when I got off the train he would miss me. 

Should I be flattered? 

Regardless. I leave here at 7, and I'm hoping for a less eventful, even lonely, ride back to Martinsburg. 

Sigh.