From the distance, I heard a deep, echoing sound I couldn’t place and the platform shivered beneath me. My grandmother stood up at once. “Come hold on to me, both of you. It’s coming.”

We hurried to her, as the train came barreling closer, a steely barrage of sound and strength and speed. It skidded slowly to a stop, squealing and hissing. My sister leaned closer into my grandmother’s side, who soothed her, “Don’t be afraid, just watch your step.”

The train doors glided open like an easy miracle and with them, so did my world.