THE MAN ON THE 7:20 TRAIN KNOWS WHERE I GET OFF

Dear Delyara, For twelve days, the same man has stood near me on the morning train. At first I thought it was coincidence. Then he followed me out of the station. Yesterday he said the name of my neighborhood. Today he asked why I changed coats. I have not told my boss because I am afraid he will say I am imagining it. I have not told my parents because they will ask me to move home. I have not told the police because the man has not touched me. That is the strange law of fear: you must wait for something worse before people agree the danger was real. I now get off two stops early and walk through crowded stores before going to work. I remove my employee badge before boarding. I stopped wearing headphones so I can hear footsteps behind me. Tomorrow morning, I will take the 6:50 train instead. I already know I will spend the whole ride searching every face for his.