by Mary Daheim
“The nightstand? The watch? Bill?”
Renie made a face. “You’re not being your usual patient self. Now I’m even more muddled.” She frowned. “Where was I?”
“Watching Bill glow in the dark?”
Renie made a growling noise. “Stop it. When Bill got up this morning and went into the bathroom, I changed his watch, just in case he might check it later in the day, which he rarely does.”
“Wow,” Judith remarked drily. “The things I never knew about you and Bill. Cut to the chase before my head explodes,”
“Cammy’s dashboard clock was tricky,” Renie said. “I didn’t dare change it until Mass was over. Bill and Joe were chatting outside. I hurried to the car and moved the clock just as he was about to get in.”
“Can you finish this story before we get to Idaho?” Judith asked wearily.
Renie looked irked. “I’m almost done. After we got home, I realized the clocks should be set back two hours, but I couldn’t remember if I’d done that last night.” Frowning, she paused. “Let’s start over. I’m telling this all wrong.”
“That could describe it,” Judith murmured.
“The point was to make Bill think we were leaving when he said we would.” Renie fingered her chin, apparently sorting through her addlepated scheme. “I knew Bill wouldn’t agree to go later,” she finally said. “It’s not how he operates.”
“Right. So what did you do with your clocks at the house?”
“I…” Renie scowled. “I’m not sure. You know how confused I get with anything that has to do with numbers.”
“Oh, good Lord!” Judith leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. “Never mind. I wish I’d never asked.”
“That probably was a bad idea on your part,” Renie conceded.
“Don’t be so grumpy about it. Whatever I did, it was for you. Frankly, it wasn’t worth the effort. Your family adventure sounds like a fiasco.”
“It was,” Judith admitted. “Mike and Kristin should’ve made sure we knew they were coming for Halloween. I couldn’t change my plans, but I’d have warned them I had to leave this afternoon and spared myself a near nervous breakdown.”
“Skip the regrets,” Renie advised. “It turned out for the best. You showed Kristin you’re not really spineless.”
“We’ll see,” Judith murmured, realizing that they were suddenly in the dark. “Have you got me so confused that I’m going blind?”
“No. We have to go through a tunnel under the downtown area before we take the northern route across the mountains.”
Judith shook her head. “I think you’ve infected this train. Who knows where we’ll end up? Alaska? Peru? Jupiter?”
Renie shrugged. “I’m not the engineer. Let’s get organized while we’re still going slow. What do you want from your carry-on?”
“Nothing now,” Judith replied. “Where’s the rest of my luggage?”
“Our other stuff’s in the downstairs luggage rack,” Renie said.
“I saw it when we boarded because ours was loaded last.”
“Where’s Willie?”
“In the accessible room to our left as we got on,” Renie replied.
“He needs it more than we do,” Judith said, feeling the train pick up speed after its snail’s pace through the tunnel. She looked out the window where the setting sun glinted off the bay. “I didn’t realize this route goes along the water.”
Renie leaned forward as the attendant who’d been standing outside the sleeper knocked softly. “Hi,” she said. “When do we eat?”
“Can you wait until the first sitting at five-thirty?” the attendant replied with a smile that revealed perfect white teeth. “I’m Roy Kingsley. We’ll announce when the dining car opens in about half an hour.”
Judith smiled. “Hi, Roy. I’m Judith Flynn and that’s my cousin Serena Jones. Her nickname’s Renie. Will you be with us all the way to Boston?”
“I’m afraid not,” Roy replied. “When you change trains in Chicago, you get a new crew. Don’t worry. Whoever takes my place will be just fine. Meanwhile, don’t hesitate to ask for anything. I see you have your bottled water and your snack basket. The newspaper will be at your door in the morning. I’ll make up your beds whenever you want. Coffee, hot water for tea, and orange juice are available by the stairwell after six a.m. if you need a jump start before breakfast. I’ll show you how to control the temperature, the sound, and the lights.”
Judith paid close attention. Renie looked as if she was listening, but as a seasoned train traveler, Judith figured her cousin was enjoying the scenery as the train picked up more speed.
When Roy had finished giving his instructions, Renie finally spoke up. “How about a six-thirty dinner call?”
Roy smiled again. “That sounds just fine. Shall I put you down for the second sitting?”
Renie nodded. “Sure. My cousin and I have to get tanked first so we can stagger to the dining car.”
Roy cocked his head to one side. “My, my—I think you ladies will make this trip even livelier. I take it you’re a Wee Willie Weevil fan, too?”
“Ah…my son is,” Judith replied.
“Poor man,” Roy said with a shake of his head. “A terrible thing happened to him. Some maniac pushed him out of a sixth-floor hotel window. He broke his leg and his arm. Only Willie could survive something like that at his age.”
“Uh…” Judith felt her face freeze. “Very resilient,” she said after a pause. “Will you be his attendant?”
“Yes,” Roy said, looking pleased. “Our conductor, Mr. Peterson, told me Mr. Weevil and his companions are heading for Wolf Point, Montana, to discuss events at the big rodeo held there every year.” He shook his head. “Maybe their plans changed since the accident. I’d hate to be the one who put him in such a sorry state.”
“Some people enjoy mayhem,” Renie said, darting a venomous glance at her cousin. “They like the excitement of big fire engines and ambulances and police cars and medics arriving at their house.”
Judith refrained from glaring back at her cousin. Instead, she changed the subject. “I understand Willie lives in Montana.”
Roy nodded. “I know he’s originally from Montana—Butte, I think. Someone mentioned he has a home on Flathead Lake.”
Judith nodded. “I haven’t followed his life and times. I assume the pretty red-haired woman is Mrs. Weevil.”
Roy cleared his throat. “You never know these days. A young man is also accompanying Mr. Weevil.”
“By the way,” Renie interjected, “do you know our next-door neighbors’ names? Mrs. Friendly here may want to chat them up.”
“There are only two other bedrooms at this end of the train,” Roy said. “Next to you is a middle-aged couple named…” He made a face. “Kloppenburg. The end bedroom is for two passengers boarding at our midnight stop. The last name is Johnson or Johnston. Don’t forget to change your watches. We’ll be on Mountain Standard Time after midnight.”
Judith shot Renie a prickly glance. “I’ll be in charge of that. My cousin has difficulty telling time. She’s always been…a little backward.”
Roy looked sympathetic. “I see.” He smiled kindly at Renie. “We’ll take good care of her, won’t we, Mrs. Flynn?” He gave the cousins a casual salute before returning to the corridor.
“Great,” Renie said. “Roy thinks I’m an imbecile because you—”
She stopped as Roy poked his head back inside the roomette. “I’m going to Mr. Weevil’s room in a few minutes,” he said. “Would you like his autograph?”
“Oh,” Judith responded, “that’s kind of you, but I’m not a collector.”
Renie gave Roy a cockeyed smile. “I’d like his autograph. Could he sign it for ‘Teenie Weenie Renie and her not-so-mighty brain’?”
“I’ll try,” Roy promised, and disappeared again.
“I wish you hadn’t done that,” Judith said.
“I wish you hadn’t told Roy that I’m an idiot,” Renie ret
orted.
“Okay, we’re even.” Judith leaned forward to look through the window across the corridor. “We’re in the suburbs, but still by the water.” She checked her watch. “Drat. I forgot we’re not on daylight…never mind.”
“Aha!” Renie cried. “Admit it—you’re confused, too.”
“No, I’m not,” Judith insisted. “It’s dark earlier than I’m used to.”
Renie smirked. “Right.”
“I’m enjoying the sunset.”
“Right.”
“The last time I took this route was when we went to Canada.”
“Right.”
“It’s certainly more comfortable to go by train.”
“Right.”
“Stop it!” Judith shrieked. “You’re driving me nuts!”
Renie put a finger to her lips and pointed to the sound system, which was turned to its lowest setting. “The bar’s open,” she said, standing up. “I’ll get our drinks. Do you need anything else?”
Judith eyed the gift basket. “I see crackers and cheese. I’m good.”
Renie left just as the train slowed for its first stop. The suburban station call was brief. Judith sat back and enjoyed the twilight scenery. Lights had been turned on in most of the buildings along the water’s edge. Across the sound she could see scattered homes, some clustered near the beach, others built among the trees on the sloping hills of the peninsula. Renie was right, she thought. Traveling by train was far more pleasant than coping with airports, being treated as a possible terrorist, and getting jammed into a seat designed for midgets. It was quiet, too, with only the muted rhythm of rails on tracks. Renie had left their door open, but no one had come by or spoken since Roy went off on the rest of his rounds. Judith felt so relaxed that she started to nod off.
“Bar service,” Renie announced, returning with a cardboard container holding two plastic glasses, ice, water, two small bottles of their whiskeys, a can of 7UP, napkins, and plastic stirrers.
“Did I wake you?” she asked, setting the container on the table between their chairs.
Judith felt sheepish. “Almost. I should’ve opened the snack basket. I guess I’m already feeling liberated.”
“I hope so,” Renie said, handing the basket to Judith. “You are.” Judith opened the Scotch. “How far away is the dining car?” Renie sat down. “Just beyond the other sleeper. The dome or sightseer car is on the other side of the diner, with snacks and liquor on the lower level. The coach cars are toward the rear.”
Judith nodded. “I can manage walking the length of one car.” Renie held up her glass. “To the cozzes. To relaxing. To being isolated from the rest of the world that always seems out to get us.”
“Amen,” Judith said, touching her plastic glass to Renie’s.
“It beats being crushed between two sumo wrestlers on a plane.”
Judith laughed. “I’d forgotten the pleasures of train travel.”
“People are in such a hurry,” Renie said. “Going from one airport to another, with no sense of the changing countryside. Business travelers often have meetings at airport hotels so they don’t…” She peered into the corridor. “Speaking of hurrying, Mr. Kloppenburg just rushed by. Did you see him?”
Judith shook her head. “How do you know it was him?”
“I don’t,” Renie admitted, “but he came from that direction. Roy told us the last compartment’s passengers haven’t boarded yet and I think the car in front of ours is for baggage or employees.”
“What did he look like?”
Renie shrugged. “Blond, six-foot, thirties, trim, average looks.”
Judith frowned. “That’s not Kloppenburg. Roy described the couple as middle-aged. I hardly consider people in their thirties middle-aged.”
“Hey,” Renie retorted, “the older I get, the more I think middle age starts at sixty-five. So what if he’s not Kloppenburg?”
“Oh…it’s something nagging at me since I got on the train.” Renie shook her head.
“This trip is to get you away from it all. What extra baggage are you hauling along to defeat the purpose?”
“Be honest. The real reason I’m here is to keep you company because you’re too chicken to fly without getting soused. I haven’t asked how much I owe for my share. I figure it’s better that way. I won’t have to spend time worrying about paying you back.”
“You don’t owe me a dime,” Renie asserted. “Train travel isn’t cheap, but meals are included. Joe gets the price of my airfare reimbursed. Bill flies for free because he’s a conference participant. Our hotel bills are covered because I insisted on a suite with two bedrooms, claiming Bill snored. Or that I snore.” She frowned. “I guess we both do, but I never hear either of us because I’m asleep. Anyway, there’s room for all of us. The only expense is the train, and I won’t accept your money.” She sipped her drink and eyed Judith curiously. “Well?”
“Your Kloppenburg went by again while you were shooting your mouth off,” Judith said smugly. “He’s Wayne Fielding, Willie’s publicist.”
Renie frowned. “You mean the guy who was taking pictures when Willie crashed into the shrubbery?”
“Yes.” Judith added more water to her drink. “As I said, something’s been nagging at me since we came aboard. I saw Pepper’s red hair and Willie in the wheelchair, but I didn’t really take in the third person. My subconscious must’ve recognized Wayne. Why shouldn’t I be curious?”
“Curious, yes,” Renie said. “Obsessed, no. I never saw the Weevil bunch during their stay at the B&B.”
“But,” Judith countered, “why did he come down our corridor? The Kloppenburgs are the only other passengers at this end. What’s their connection with Wayne?”
Renie groaned. “Maybe he got lost. Who cares?”
Judith sipped her drink. “Isn’t the train due to stop before we head east through the mountains?”
Renie glanced out the window. “You’re right. We’re slowing down.” She sighed and stood up. “I’ll go look if only to shut you up.”
“Thanks, coz,” Judith said sheepishly.
“Yeah, right, fine.” She stepped into the corridor just as the last call for the first dinner sitting came over the intercom.
Less than a minute later, Renie returned. “No luck,” she said, sitting down again. “The Kloppenburgs have their door closed and the curtains pulled. For all I know, Hansel and Gretel may be in there.”
“Maybe they’re eating bread crumbs,” Judith said. “We’d have seen them go to the dining car if they chose the early sitting.”
“Let’s not discuss this anymore. Let’s pretend we’re normal people taking a pleasant train trip to an historic and interesting city.”
“Okay,” Judith said meekly.
“Good,” Renie said, though she sounded skeptical. “I’ll close our door so we can have some privacy, too.”
Judith set her drink down on the table. “Let me. I have to go to the bathroom first. The train’s almost stopped.”
The bathroom was small, with a shower and toilet, but that suited Judith just fine. There wasn’t room enough to fall down. She emerged, washed her hands in the sink, and closed the door to their compartment. Just as she was about to sit, the train suddenly lurched. Judith lost her balance, but Renie grabbed her arm. In the process, their drinks fell off the table.
“Are you okay?” Renie asked, still holding on to her cousin.
“I think so,” Judith said.
Renie helped Judith ease into her chair. “Take it easy. I’ll clean up the mess.” She took several paper towels out of the dispenser by the sink and began dabbing at the floor. “I’ll get refills,” she said, checking her watch. “We’ve got a good half hour before the second dinner call.”
“I’m sorry you get cleanup duty because I’m a klutz,” Judith said.
“Forget it.” Renie stuffed the cups and paper towels in the waste receptacle. “I’m no gazelle, but I’ve got real hip joints.”
Judith
opened the gift basket. “I’ll nibble on crackers and cheese.”
“Be my guest,” Renie said. “Back in a semiflash.” She disappeared into the corridor.
Judith was relieved that she didn’t seem to have any lingering effects from her mishap. She ate crackers and cheese while taking in the steady passage of the train. After about five minutes she sensed that something was missing. The realization dawned on her when she heard children’s voices that faded after only a few seconds. She assumed they had been coming up from the lower level to the front section of the sleeper. It’s so quiet, she thought, smiling to herself. No guests going and coming, no phones ringing, no Phyliss Rackley jabbering about God and goiters, no endless complaints from her mother, no doorbells signaling parcel deliveries, no one expecting her to cook meals, not even Joe shouting from some other part of the house. Maybe I should feel guilty, she told herself.
Or maybe Renie’s right—I need a break to recharge my batteries. Even social animals like me sometimes have to hibernate. She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes.
A few minutes later Renie returned with the cocktail items. “You finally look relaxed,” she asked, settling into her chair.
“I am.”
“Good.”
The cousins mixed their drinks. “I wish we were going through the pass in daylight,” Judith said. “It must be beautiful this time of year.”
“We’ll see it on the return trip.”
“Maybe there’ll be new snow by then.”
“Could be.”
“Was it busy in the club car?”
“Yes. I had to wait in line.”
Judith stared at Renie, realizing that her cousin hadn’t made eye contact since returning to their compartment. “What’s wrong?”
“Wrong?” Renie finally looked at her cousin. “Nothing. Why?”
“Coz.” Judith cradled the plastic cup in her hands and leaned forward. “You seem…on edge.”