The Games We Play

You shouldn’t carry that bag, Stella. It’s too heavy for someone your age. Give it to me,” Ella offers with a smirk.

“At my age!” I balk at my twin sister. “You’re 3 minutes younger than me! You’re such a silly ass.”

“You never miss a chance to remind me that you’re older and wiser,” she counters.

The train platform fills with impatient passengers three rows deep. I reposition my cane. It’s been 6 months since my knee replacement surgery and I rarely use it but my husband, Harry, forced me to bring my cane on my trip to Pittsburgh. Ella hooks her arm through mine and squeezes. I rest my head on her shoulder with glistening eyes as she sniffs and dabs her cheeks with a tissue. We giggle at our sentimentality.

Ella sighs. “I do miss you, sis. Promise, you’ll think about the Alaskan cruise in the fall. It will be a perfect way to celebrate our 70th birthday.”

“I hate cruises. They’re floating Petry dishes. Full of diseases,” I say.

“I’ll buy you a cute hazmat suit for the trip.” She giggles.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“No, you are!” Ella snaps. “Relax and live a little, Stella. We’re not getting any younger. Please?”

“Fine. I’ll think about it.”

“Good. Now don’t forget the container of cookies is in the top compartment of your bag. Careful or you’ll crush them,” she advises. I roll my eyes. She adds, “Don’t give me that look. I’m not flirting with your husband. He loves my cookies, what can I say?”

“Thank you, Ella. I’ll miss you, love.” I hug my sister as the train shrieks in the background. The passengers line up behind me to board the train. Being first in line is the advantage of old age and along with the cane, no one challenges me. I sit in the second row and wave to Ella from the window seat. My fellow passengers line the aisle. A young woman in heavy makeup sits next to me. She keeps her eyes on her phone as her thumb swipes the screen.

“He’s cute, right?” She waves the phone to get my attention.

I’m shocked to see that she is talking to me. I squint at the photo. “He is. Who is he?”

“Nobody really.” She swipes right. Another man’s face pops up, and she immediately swipes right again.

“I’m not familiar with those apps. What’s the swiping all about?” I ask.

“Right means you’re interested. Left means you’re not,” she explains as her long nails click on the phone case.

“You swipe right a lot,” I say.

She bursts into giggles. “I do. Honestly, it’s just a game to me. I’m in for the fun and you know—nothing serious.”

“Right,” I answer.

“Oh! Got to go! I see my friend up there.” She pops out of her seat and waves to a blonde four rows down the aisle. I reach in my bag and pull out the plastic container of black walnut cookies, my sister’s specialty. Before I can open it, a deep voice interrupts me.

“Is this seat taken, ma’am?”

I raise my eyes to see a tall young man with a worn leather bag slung across his body and a rolling suitcase. “No, it’s empty,. You’re welcome to sit.” I answer and scoot closer to the window to allow him more room. The train jerks back as it slowly begins chugging along. He places his bag and rolling suitcase into the overhead storage before sitting. I tuck the container of cookies next to me and rest back. He cradles his phone between his large hands and taps on the screen. A video of a toddler with wispy blonde hair plays. The child laughs heartily as he chases a puppy through the green grass. It’s an infectious laugh that makes you smile. The young man allows the video to play a few times.

“How sweet! Is that your son?” I ask regretting it instantly. No one likes a nosy old lady.

“It’s my nephew and his new puppy,” he answers with a grin.

“He’s adorable,” I comment.

“I wish they lived closer. My brother and his family live in North Carolina,” he explains.

“I know how that can be—my family is spread out all over. I just visited my twin sister in Pittsburgh and I miss her already.”

“Twin? You must be close,” he says.

“We are. Although it waxes and wanes—we used to be closer and then there was a time we weren’t speaking at all—I suppose that’s how life goes with siblings.”

“My brothers and I fought like wild animals as kids, but I miss them like crazy now.” He shrugs. “I’m the only one still living at home.”

“Ella and I attended Villanova University and after graduation she moved back to Pittsburgh, but I stayed.”

“Ella is your twin sister?” he questions.

“Yes and I’m Stella.” I smile.

“Ella and Stella. I like that. I’m Charlie by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Charlie. Let’s see, you were born and raised in Pittsburgh. You still live there. Are you married?”

“No, ma’am,” he replies.

“None of that ma’am nonsense. I may be old enough to be your grandma but call me Stella.”

“You got it, Stella. I’m not married but I hope to be someday. It’s not easy finding—”

“Love?” I interrupt.

“Finding the right one.” He wiggles his phone in the air. “You know on the apps.”

“You kids need to put down the phones and meet the old fashion way,” I suggest.

“I agree, but plenty of people have met online and are happily married. In fact, I met a woman recently and she’s incredible. Beautiful and funny. So smart. We talked for hours last night and we only know each other by our initials. She goes by LJ. We’ll exchange names when we meet tonight for dinner.”

“Now that’s romantic, Charlie! You’re traveling by train 7 hours just to—"

“It’s a business trip, Stella, and she just happens to be in Philadelphia for a convention. Let’s not go overboard.”

“If it’s love you’ll go overboard and then some. It makes you do silly things,” I reply.

“Whoa, I didn’t say love. She checks all the boxes, and we click but love that’s—"

“Possible. It’s always possible, Charlie. Be patient.”

“How did you meet your husband?” Charlie asks.

“That’s a long story,” I answer.

He looks at his watch. “We have more than 6 hours to go. That’s plenty of time.”

“I met Harry in college. He was dating Ella—"

“He was dating your sister! That’s scandalous, Stella, you vixen! Stealing your sister’s man. Tsk Tsk.” He shakes his head.

“Are you going to let me tell my story, Charlie?”

“Go on.” He chuckles.

“Our sophomore year at Villanova, Ella and I met Harry at a party. He wasn’t my type; in fact, I didn’t like him, but Ella fell head over heels. She practically threw herself at him. She’s always been more outgoing than me. My father called me the quiet observer. Anyway Ella and Harry hit it off. They dated for almost four months—"

“Until you stole him!” Charlie accuses me.

“No! I did no such thing. When we returned after winter break, things were different between Ella and Harry—strained. They argued all the time. Harry and I had two classes together and were in the same study group, but I stayed out of it. I never ask Ella or Harry about their relationship. They eventually broke up.”

“Did you and Harry stay friends?”

“We did. We were both English majors and our paths crossed—a lot. Harry asked me to the spring fling and I said no. He even asked me to go with him to New York one weekend, but I refused. I couldn’t date my sister’s ex even though I was attracted to him.”

“I’d love to hear Harry’s side of this. Obviously, he didn’t give up.” Charlie raises his eyebrows.

“He was persistent. Finally, I gave in and said yes to Harry—”

“Wait a minute. Ella was ok with that?”

“Ah yes and no. She wasn’t exactly happy about it, but she could see Harry and I were in love and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Love finds a way.”

“Hm.” Charlie grunts. “Love finds a way?”

“Yes, if it’s meant to be and you are open to the possibilities, the universe makes it happen,” I answer.

“I don’t know about that. I’m open and the universe hasn’t done shit.”

“Fickle. That’s what you and your generation are—you want everything instantaneously —attraction must be immediate, and you shut it down with the slightest obstacle or if you get the—ick as they say—that’s it. You write them off. Some of the things I couldn’t stand about Harry are endearing to me now. You’re too busy swiping right and left. You decide in seconds whether someone deserves a chance.”

His phone buzzes. He lifts it and frowns. “Well, shit. LJ cancelled on me.”

“What’s it say?”

“She’s sorry, something unexpected came up and she’ll catch up with me later this week,” he replies.

“That’s disappointing but still promising.” I fold my hands in my lap.

“No, Stella, that’s her way of ending it. She’s playing me.”

“Playing you? Like playing a game?” I question.

“Yes, something like that,” he answers.

“You can’t give up that easily,” I say. He exhales and rests back on the seat. I open the container next to me. “Do you want a cookie? They’re black walnut. Not everyone likes them but—”

“Black walnut? I love them. My grandfather was German and he baked them every Christmas.” He takes one.

“Have as many as you like.”

An older gentleman across the aisle stretches his neck to see past Charlie. “Did you say black walnut? I haven’t had one since I was a child. May I?”

“Oh please, help yourself.” I offer. “Pass it around.”

As a little commotion over the cookies starts at our end of the train, I notice the heavily made-up young woman that left me earlier to sit with her friend is looking down the aisle. Charlie doesn’t see her eyeing him up and down but I do. Charlie is quite attractive. He’s tall and broad with dark cinnamon colored hair that highlights his bright hazel eyes. Finally, he sees her and grins. She gives a coquettish wave, and Charlie’s cheeks turn pink in response.

She mouths something and he responds, “I’m Charlie, nice to meet you, Lana.”

I sit back and try to mind my business. He hands me the container and says, “Maybe you’re right, the universe does help if you let it. She’s cute.”

“Uh huh,” I halfheartedly agree. She may be attractive, but I don’t think her intentions are honorable. Not that my opinion matters.

A sparkly phone lands in his lap, and it’s followed by instructions from the woman sitting in front of us. “Charlie, Lana wants you to put your number in her phone.”

“Oh.” He smirks. “Thanks.”

I clear my throat.

“What is it, Stella? You don’t approve?” Charlie asks.

“Oh no, don’t be silly, it’s none of my business,” I answer.

“We’ve been sitting together for several hours now and from the things you’ve shared—I consider you a wise woman and I trust your opinion.”

“My opinion. Fine. Lana is very pretty. If you’re looking for fun—and company while you’re here—she’s fine but that’s where it will end.”

“How do you know? According to your theories I should stay open to all possibilities,” he counters.

“I did say that. You’re a good listener, young man,” I relent, “You know what? Go on then give Lana a chance.”

“What aren’t you saying, Stella?” he asks.

“Lana sat next to me when we boarded the train, and she was swiping away on a dating app. Right specifically. She told me it’s all for fun. She doesn’t take any of the men seriously. And you seem to want more than just a—fling—for lack of a more salacious word, but I could be wrong. Why not text your girl, LJ, back and arrange a date for later this week? If you like her, don’t give up so easily.”

He glances at the crystal encrusted phone in his palm. “You’re right. I don’t want to give up.” He passes the phone back down the aisle to Lana. She looks irritated but doesn’t push it. He sits quietly before allowing his thumbs to deftly type away on his screen.

I nestle into the cracked vinyl seat and watch the scenery zoom by the window. The next two hours we converse occasionally but most the time Charlie stares at his phone with a goofy smile on his face while he texts. LJ agreed to meet him tomorrow night at a restaurant in Bryn Mawr that I suggested. I text Harry and let him know when the train is 30 minutes away from Paoli train station. He replies with a thumbs up and implies there will be a big surprise waiting for me. Harry has always been quite romantic and thoughtful so it could be anything.

Charlie and I chat as we approach the station. It’s not often you connect this easily with a complete stranger. I give Charlie my phone number and let him know if he needs anything while visiting the Philadelphia area, Harry and I would be happy to help. I gather my things and prepare to disembark.

Charlie helps me with my carry-on bag as I climb down the stairs onto the platform. Harry waves to me over the crowd.

“Do you want to meet, Harry?” I ask.

“Yes, of course! I feel like I already know him.” Charlie laughs. We weave through the crowd.

Harry throws his arms out and yells, “Surprise, Stella!” He steps aside and my beautiful granddaughter appears.

“Oh Lila! You’re home!” I gush.

Lila’s mouth hangs open but she’s not looking at me. “CB?” she mouths.

“LJ, it’s you.” Charlie laughs next to me.

“This is your LJ?” I ask.

“Nanna, I’ve missed you,” Lila says as she hugs me and looks to Charlie. “How do you know my grandmother?”

“We met on the train,” he answers.

“Well allow me to introduce you officially. This is Lila, my granddaughter and Lila dear, this is Charlie.”

“Charlie. I like that.” Lila smiles.

“Is it too soon to ask for a hug, Lila?” Charlie asks innocently. My heart swells when I see the young couple embrace. I couldn’t have chosen a better man for my granddaughter. Perhaps there’s something to this online dating.

“What am I missing?” Harry interrupts.

“Oh, sweetheart.” I kiss him on the cheek. “Lila and Charlie met on a dating app and I just happen to be sitting next to him on the train.”

Harry waves his hand. “Ah those damn dating apps.”

“Lila, that’s a beautiful name.” Charlie smiles.

“I’m sorry I cancelled our date for tonight. I stopped by to see my grandparents. My pop was so excited to surprise Nanna that I couldn’t say no.”

“I made dinner reservations at the Black Powder Tavern.” Harry boasts. “It’s Stella’s favorite.”

“Can we make it for four?” I ask.

“Are you sure, Stella?” Charlie asks. “I don’t want to impose.”

"Don’t be silly. We want you there.” I smile. Lila takes Charlies hand in hers as we walk to the car.

“Are those for me?” Harry gestures towards the box of cookies under my arm.

“Yes, here you go.”

He pries open the lid. “What! It’s half full. Ella normally bakes a whole batch just for me.”

“I don’t know, sweetheart. Ella must finally be over you.” I squeeze his hand and look away to hide my grin.

Charlie whispers for only me to hear, “Stella, you gave away the cookies Ella made for Harry?”

“Sh!” I wink. “Us, old folks, like to play games too.”