I rushed out the house with a duffel bag over my left shoulder while pulling a suit case on wheels behind me. My trip to Toledo had been planned for months and was something I had dreamed about for several years and yet, I was still running late.
Riding the Amtrak was on my bucket list since I was 8 or 9. I remember riding with my dad to pick my Aunt up from the train station. She had taken the train from Baton Rouge to Toledo. Watching the steam from the train and listening to the loud rumble of the train sent chills down my spine. I promised myself then that someday I would ride that train.
It has taken about 14 years for my promise to come to fruition. I threw my luggage into the back seat, slammed the door shut and practically dove into the driver seat. The car screeched into reverse then shifted into drive. The train station was only 10 minutes away and the train was scheduled to leave in less than a half hour.
Upon arrival at the Amtrak station, I parked my car in the grass, next to the three cars who had arrived before me and had taken the paved parking spots. The station in my town was not a huge station like you see on television. It was a quick stop where just a few people would enter and exit the train. I quickly grabbed my bags and rushed to the ticket counter. I handed the older woman my ticket receipt just as the Amtrak train was arriving.
While she was printing my pass, I watched the steam rise from the train as the breaks squealed and the rumbling of the train rattled in my ears. I was 8 or 9 all over again. I could feel the hair on my arms standing up straight. My heart was beating wildly. There was a rush of energy that ran through my veins similar to the feeling just before I would step on the wrestling mat for a match. The adrenaline ran through my entire body.
"Here you go fella." the woman inside the booth said.
I turned away from the train and looked inside the glass window at the older woman. Her hand was extended, holding my pass. I took my pass and said, "Thank you, Ma'am." She smiled and I smiled back.
Standing behind two other train riders who were also waiting to ride, I read my ticket. It felt like I was dreaming; hard to believe this was really happening. I stepped onto the train and showed the driver my pass. He waved me onto the box car. My ticket said room 9 so I walked through the first car into the second car. The sign above the exit of the second car said "Suites in Rear". I quickly walked past the staring eyes and headed through the next two cars and found the door numbered nine.
I opened the door and looked around, seeing a twin size bed with a single mattress on my left with a cabinet above the bed and a wooden desk on my right. A wooden cabinet was above the desk as well. I lifted the door to the cabinet and placed my suit case on the shelf then closed and secured the door. I placed my duffel bag on the bed, opening it and scrounging around inside until I found my book and bottle of water.
The train horn blared and the steam engine began to rev up. I looked out my window and said goodbye to my new hometown, for now, as the train started pulling away. For the first half-hour, I sat on the edge of my bed and looked out the tinted window of the train, watching the scenery go by. I was starting to feel a little claustrophobic in the close quarters so I grabbed my book and water bottle then exited my private room. I made my way back up to the second car which was the diner car and sat in one of the eight booths so that I was facing the front. There was a couple of teenage kids in the front right seat of the car, laughing and joking around. Behind the teenagers was a middle aged couple who I supposed were the parents. On the left side, in front of me was an older man sitting in the second booth with his back to me.
I placed my water bottle on the table in front of me and opened my book, setting my book mark next to me on the table. The world around me began to fade as I became engrossed in the book. I felt the train breaks start to grind and felt the Amtrak train start slowing down, but I didn't pay much attention. I continued reading while people walked past me, down the center aisle.
The people passing were likes streaks of light in my peripheral vision. I tried to ignore the colors and not be distracted from what I was reading unit I felt my seat raise up a little and saw a streak of color move horizontal to me. I looked up and saw a girl that looked to be close to my same age sitting down on the opposite end of the table in my booth. She looked up and made eye contact with me then said, "Is it okay if I sit with you?"
Her voice sounded soft, sweet and sexy. I felt my face starting to blush. Hundreds of thoughts were racing through my mind: "Holy shit she is hot" "Why is this beautiful girl sitting across from me?" "She is staring at me!" "Her blue eyes are sparkling." "Her long blond hair is soaking up the sun light coming from the window." "Oh my God, she is staring at me and smiling."
"Yes, that is fine." was all I could muster up to say in response to her question.
I stared deep into her eyes as she reached her hand across the table. "Hi, I am Amber."
"Umm, I am Devin." I replied.
God, I am such a dork! My hand extended and made contact with her soft, smooth skin. I shook her hand and held it for more than a second until she pulled away. I must have held her hand a little too long, but it felt so warm and soft. It was not often that I had the chance to hold a female's hand. My eyes immediately retracted down to the words in my book. I was trying to get her out of my mind and fight the growing bulge in my pants.
"Are you alone on the ride?" she asked a few seconds later. Before I could answer, she started speaking again. "I am too. This isn't my first train ride. Is it your's? I love riding trains, they remind me of the old wild west. Anyways, I thought you might want some company. You looked bored reading that book, trying to pass the time away."
Where did I begin? Could I even remember all the questions she asked? I set my book face down and lifted my head. My eyes quickly caught a glimpse of her button up dress that looked like she had retrieved from the wild west days. It was bright red with white ruffles running up the center. My eyes paused briefly at her mounds, pressed against the material. Not wanting to make it look obvious that I was staring, I darted my eyes up to her smiling cheeks and dreamy blue eyes.
"Yes, I'm riding alone, no my first ride and actually I wasn't bored. I love reading because it takes me away to another world."
"So you like mystery, or do you prefer danger and adventure?" she promptly replied.
"Umm, a little of both, it just depends on my mood, I guess."
"Really?" she asked in a soft, seductive voice. "What mood are you in right now?" she continued.
"Adventure right now, but I just finished reading a mystery book yesterday." I replied, trying to be conversational. "Do you read?"
"No." she replied quickly. "Not my thing. I do like boys who enjoy adventure though. Since you do like mystery also, I won't tell you anymore about me. I will let you solve this puzzle."
Her soft, seductive voice was making my body react. I was trying not to show that I was getting aroused, but I wasn't sure how well I was hiding it. My hands were fidgeting with the corner of the book on top of the table and my left foot was tapping on the floor.
