Shut eye

The man on the seat opposite had his eyes shut. I couldn’t tell whether he was thinking or sleeping. His head was upright but moved around as the train went around each bend. Without conscious volition, I studied his face. There was a small patch of stubble on his chin that he had missed when shaving. His eyelid twitched from time to time.

I wondered about his thoughts or dreams.

When his eyes snapped open, we were both startled.