Round Trip Ticket

Pamela had never ridden the rails despite living in New Mexico her entire adult life. Her friend's daughter Mabel had surprised her with a ticket for her birthday that year. It was the brainchild of Mabel's best friend Veronica. Veronica’s grandmother was along for the ride on the Cumbre and Toltec Railroad.

The four women met in pairs on a dewy June morning in Chama at the gift shop. As it was these days Mabel was driving Pamela and Veronica her grandmother Hester from perspective towns. Pamela went to the restroom promptly after exiting the car. Hester sat in a rocking chair. Mabel and Veronica perused the gift shop. While Mabel put everything back after inspecting it, Veronica headed to the counter bearing gifts and souvenirs.

The two best friends chatted cheerfully. Hester blew her nose in the adjacent room. Pamela emerged from the bathroom carrying a Stanley cup. It was Hester who broke the silence as the women sat together. She fixed her eyes on Pamela’s long and lined face and asked if they knew each other.

“Haven’t seen you a day in my life.” Pamela slurping her ice water.

Veronica jumped in to explain who the women were to her grandmother and gently prode that she had met Mabel previously. Hester didn’t react and kept rocking until the train was ready to board. At that point Pamela pushed ahead wobbly and struggled up the stairs followed closely by Mabel who tried to help. Hester boarded easily after which Veronica with the help of her purple cane was able to safely board.

The train lurched forward, two best friends lost in their conversation as two strangers sat in silence. Veronica handed her grandmother a water bottle and opened a diet soda. Mabel placed her oversized purse on the table and located a Dr Pepper.

The conversation turned to scenery, mountains, trees and brush. Mabel and Veronica feeling uneasy because they hoped the ladies would all enjoy each other’s company. Pamela removed a piece of ice from her cup and began to chew. Hester twisted her head at an impressive angle to give Pamela the side eye.

Although June Pamela wore a knitted sweater and wind breaker. She began to complain the air conditioning was hitting her and asked Hester to switch places. Veronica and Mabel gave each a quick smile. In all the years Mabel had known Pamela, who had been like a second mother, she had never been warm unless to the point of heatstroke. However, she rejected all advice even that of her doctor and continued her cycle of temperature warfare.

Veronica produced snacks for the group. “We’re having lunch in Colorado, “ Pamela pointed out.

“Grandmother’s diabetes,” Veronica said softly.

The conversation drifted to the younger women’s love lives. Mabel had a long-term boyfriend while Veronica was single. The aged women bonded on commenting on what Mabel and Veronica should do about it.

Hester had short gray hair with a side part. She had remarkably smooth facial skin for her age which she attributed to sunblock. Pamela wore her white hair cropped severely short and struggled to see even with her bifocal. Both younger women had apple shaped bodies. Veronica had shiny, flowing black hair and dazzling blue eyes. Mabel had waist length strawberry blonde hair in a braid and a baby face.

The beverage cart rolled by and Pamela ordered a black coffee. Hester refrained. Mabel had another soda and Veronica chose a sarsparilla. The bottle of sarsparilla was ice cold and went down reminiscent of rootbeer. The train jerked as it slowed to a stop over the gorge.

Mabel said, “You’re going to miss it.” When Pamela shuffled Hester out to use the restroom. Hester complained that they should switch seats again.

Pamela replied, “If you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all.” She squeezed her thighs together as she went down the narrow aisle.

“Why did we stop?” Hester asked Veronica.

After the train was back in action, Pamela returned and the other ladies stopped talking about her refusal to use incontinence products despite her frequent accidents. She pulled at the collar of her handmade sweater and asked Mabel to refill her Stanley cup.

Hester began to discuss her late husband who had passed the year prior at the age of 87. Pamela chimed in about her husband who had been gone the last 19 years. The younger women listened hoping for marriage of their own. Mabel envisioned her boyfriend of 4 years proposing, while Veronica wondered if she ever would marry.

“I wish Veronica would meet a nice boy at church like I met my husband,” Hester mused.

Veronica exhaled loudly. Mabel sensed danger. She was right. Hester continued smugly, “Are you a church-going woman Pamela?”

“I don’t believe in organized religion. I was a biologist. I listen to science.” Pamela sipped her water loudly.

“God created science,” Hester turned to face Pamela.

Pamela eyes gazed back, “Man created God.”

Mabel said quietly,”Maybe agree to disagree?” She blushed.

Hester leaned towards Pamela, “In the beginning…” she recited Genesis from memory.

Veronica placed her hand on the table, “We agreed no religion or politics.”

“You are Republicans?” Hester clutched her blouse.

“Democrat,” the others replied.

“And staunch straight ticket!” Pamela offered placing her cup down harder than necessary.

The train jerked violently. Staff rushed quickly forward. A few minutes later made longer by silence and Hester glaring with narrowed eyes, there was an announcement of a delay. Veronica tilted her head back and cracked her neck. Mabel fished her phone off of the table. Pamela complained about the delay. She and Hester speculated as to what was causing it. Both aged women agreed it was either mechanical or an obstruction in the track. Either way they were both very terse. Veronica busied herself with her journal and pulled out stickers from her bag.

Hester carried a sensible over the shoulder purse barely large enough for her collection of tissues and money. Pamela complimented her efficiency and showed her own small clutch with a long beaded strap. They began to remark on the purses these days being so big. “Case in point,” Pamela pointed to the younger women who only smiled.

“It’s Rohan!” Mabel explained grabbing her phone tighter. Veronica was grateful for tempered glass.

Seeing Hester’s face, Pamela explained, “Rohan Bakshi, her boyfriend. “

Veronica watched Mabel texting fast and furiously with her cheeks a cherry red glow. Her strawberry blonde hair was wagging back and forth with her excitedly shaking head. She put her phone down slowly and looked first at Pamela then Veronica beaming.

“What is it?” Veronica shrieked.

“He’s taking me to the Double Eagle tomorrow night!” The girls began to scream and startle other passengers.

“What are you gonna wear? It’s the nicest restaurant in Cruces. It’s practically a sign he has the ring!” Veronica lifted her hands to her face. Pamela and Hester exchanged a look.

“Tell me everything, read me the texts,” Veronica to Mabel. They were huddled over the phone with the Hello Kitty phonecase.

After jovial moments the best friends fell out of cloud 9 as Mabel muttered, “We’re stuck on a train 8 hours away. What if I don’t make it back in time for our reservation? “

As they fretted and asked hypothetical questions Hester got a shrewd look on her face, “What sort of name is Bakshi?”

Pamela patted her hand and gave Mabel a knowing look, “A human name,” to Mabel, “Dear we’ll make it come hell or high water to your dinner.”

The train jolted and stopped. There were murmurs of concern. Mabel said, “I need time to get ready and do my hair. I might need to go shopping? I don’t know what to do if we don’t get off of this train!”

Veronica tilted her head and said directly, “Don’t worry. I’m sure they’re working on it right now. Maybe it’s a good sign the train moved a little bit?” Veronica noticed Mabel had gotten a text while Mabel was too worried to hear it.

Mabel was biting her bottom lip then snapped into the present and saw it was from Rohan. Veronica leaned in and asked to hear Pamela and her grandma’s proposal stories. Mabel sighed, “He just asked how it’s going. What should I say?”

Veronica thought about it and reassured her friend that perhaps mentioning the train’s status would unnecessarily worry Rohan, “but it’s up to you.”

Pamela said, “My Roger was the love of my life, but he wasn’t the first man to propose. I met Alfred at a dance in El Paso. He was my first love. He took me up on Mount Cristo Rey at sunset and got down on one knee. Men were gentlemen and he showed me a ring tied to a single red rose.”

Veronica froze. She had heard the sunset on Mount Cristo Rey a hundred times. Something suddenly came to Hester, “Alfred Rapace?”

“Why yes,” Pamela’s face fell.

“Let me introduce myself, I’m Hester Rapace and I was married to Alfred for 67 years. He took me on Mount Cristo Rey and we started our lives together in Las Cruces. Now, you’re telling me he proposed to you? To you?”

“What’s wrong with me?” Pamela’s muscles tightened in her face.

“You insufferable woman!” Hester chimed.

“Let me out, I need to use the bathroom. “ Pamela snapped.

Hester blocked her in, “Before you dirty your britches?”

“How dare you!” Pamela’s face flushed, “Let me go!”

“Fine,” Hester cackled, “I’m adverse to sitting in your pee.”

Pamela rushed down the aisle. Veronica and Mabel said in unison, “Oh my God!”

“I’m sorry grandma,” Veronica sighed. She tried to grasp Hester’s hand.

“Your grandpa proposed to that woman the same way he proposed to me. I wasn’t his first choice.”

Veronica said, “But, you were his choice every day for 67 years.”

Hester teared up, “I thought I was special.”

“You are special Mrs. Rapace,” Mabel smiled, “Just like I am to Rohan. I wasn’t his first girlfriend but I plan to be his last.”

Pamela silently returned and quickly chugged water. Everyone sat there for a moment. The thick atmosphere made them squirm. Veronica suddenly felt happy she was single.

Pamela hoped the train would move soon. As if by the magic of desperation the train car churned to life. The ladies sighed. The conversations amongst passengers took on a higher volume. Veronica turned to Mabel, “I am happy for you. It’s finally happening!”

“But, what about you? I feel sad you don’t have anyone.” Mabel looked sheepish.

“Marrying your grandpa was one of best decisions of my life,” Hester smiled, lost in memories of 1950.

“Not marrying Alfred was a good decision. I’m so glad he had 67 years with someone. I often wondered what ever became of him.”

To everyone’s surprise, Hester thanked Pamela for rejecting him. “Without God and you I wouldn’t have had the best years of my life so far and my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”

Pamela softened, “We both ended up with the right men. Now to get these two married off.”

“Not it,” Veronica laughed.

“Maybe you’ll catch my bouquet?” Mabel beamed.