A Train Ticket Away

The conductor quickly glided back his chair, bumping into the wall, but the phone was at least answered in time. He sobered at the mayor's voice, but politely listened to his third warning for the week.

To his left side, he noticed a shadow and then somebody appeared in front of the ticket window.

"Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. I understand." He interrupted. Too many bills to pay, and he didn't have a cent left for it anymore. Maybe he was getting too old for this business. All but that one strand of black hair had turned grey. He had creases, wrinkles, and crinkles everywhere; from his hands to his face. He couldn't hear that well anymore, but at least he could still read lips. If only his eyes hadn't decided to act up lately.

Many of his peers had already retired, either to their home or to the grave. But he kept working, believing in his passion and his dream. Even if it meant he would work himself to the grave, he was determined to keep on going.

He quickly ended the call, and then faced the person in front of the window. It was hard to distinguish the person's features from this far back in the room, so he slowly rose from the chair and shuffled over to the window.

Outside the window, the snow started shifting down again, promising a blizzard in no time. He sighed and then looked out, surprised to distinguish a woman's face almost hidden in the depth of her coat. She had the furry hood pulled over her head, and the fur almost hid her petite face.

Two blue eyes stared back at him, shadows turning the depths into a turbulent gray. There was a sad tug on the fine little, red mouth. Her cheeks were tinted pink and her breath a little ragged, speaking of her rush to get here.

"Excuse me, sir. I would like to buy a ticket, please." She breathed out, her voice soft and timid.

"Little lady, you might have to speak up a little. My ears don't work as well as they used to." He said with a smile and pulled his ledger closer. "Now, where do you want to go? We have three magnificent winter destinations, and the train departs anytime you want it too."

"Oh..." She mouthed and fiddled with her hands. "Um..." She cleared her throat and raised her voice's volume a bit. "Which one is the farthest?"

"The farthest?" He placed his spectacles on his nose, and then peered over them at the girl. "Why? Did you have your heart broken?" Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but she bravely bit her lower lip and nodded.

"Yes..."

"Ah...Well, then I have the perfect destination for you. Stuttner's Peak." He proclaimed, and then fiddled among the other papers, before producing a small album. He flipped it open, turned the book for her to see and pointed to the one picture. "There. A nice lodge right there on the peak."

"Well, I'd rather not be in contact with people on a day to day basis..." She answered hesitantly. He nodded his head in understanding.

"Ah, yes. Of course." He closed the album and pushed it to the side, his eyebrows knitting together as he thought. Then, he broke into a smile and leaned forward. "Do you want a wooden cabin all to yourself, Missy?"

"Well..." She hesitated but then smiled a little more enthusiastically. "If possible, yes. It would be nice." Her eyes glazed over a little, losing a shadow in each depth. "Yes, I would love a wood cabin all to myself, if there is one."

"Ah! There is!" He proclaimed excitedly, trying to stop his shaking hands. "But, it might cost a little more..." He eyed her, his mind racing. "And it depends on how long you want to stay..."

"I'd like to stay indefinitely for now...I'll pay weekly." She offered. "Truthfully, sir, the price is of no consequence to me. Money is money. If it can't buy you happiness, it can buy you the cure. I am willing to pay everything I have for this." He raised his hands and shook his head.

"No, no. It's not that much. Let's say a fee of fifty shiels per week?" She nodded her head in agreement. "Well then. Oh, you just have to also pay for the train ticket. That would be ten shiels." He remembered. She smiled faintly, and then produced her purse from the depths of her coat.

Her snuggly-gloved hand slipped inside and produced the money. She slipped it through the open window, safely placing it in the conductor's hands.

"Sixty shiels. And I'll pay every other cent as well, sir." She tucked her purse away again, and shakily accepted her ticket.

"Thank you, Missy. Thank you." He said with a hitch, desperately trying not to cry. "When would you like the train to leave?"

"As soon as possible, please..."

"Well then, fifteen minutes until departure, Missy."

"Grecil. Grecil Pruitt." She said with a hint of a smile.

"Huh?" He asked confused. "Oh, I'm Granger Hale, Miss Pruitt. I'll be your conductor." He grabbed his cap from the hook and fit it onto his head. "You have nothing to fear with me in control. I might be old, but you will be safe."

"You have to fill my name into the ledger, Mr. Hale." She giggled softly. "But, it's a pleasure to formally make your acquaintance."

"Oh!" His cheeks shot a faint red as he shook his head and pulled the ledger closer. "The downfall of growing old. A failing memory." He scratched in her name and the departure time. "There. Now everything is in order. You are allowed to go aboard now, Missy Pruitt."

"Thank you, sir." She muttered and turned away, her hands disappearing into the deep pockets. She headed towards the only passenger car, and stepped in. With a sigh, she fell into the nearest seat, but then shuffled over to the window.

She threw off her hood, and her chocolate brown pixie cut stood upright, her hair static. She rested her forehead against the cold window, the tears finally spilling over. She was leaving. Her broken heart would have time to heal now...And she would have the time to fortify it and never love again.