Public displays of…

I had just taken my seat on the subway this morning when I heard someone crying.

It was a woman across the aisle from me. And she wasn’t trying to hold it in or hide her tears — she was loudly weeping and sobbing.

Since I had just boarded,  I looked around at my fellow passengers,  trying to get a read on what if anything had been done. At that moment,  a man said,  “Are you okay,  miss?  Do you need help?”

She said no and immediately quieted. Everyone looked relieved.

I know I was.

Not two minutes went by and she began wailing again,  even louder this time. Looks were exchanged.

I finally reached in my briefcase and handed her a tissue. She didn’t say thank you,  but she calmed down until her stop.

I will admit – –  I have cried on the subway before,  but in a much more stealth fashion. Or at least I hope so,  for the passengers’ sake.