Standby, Chicago by Rich Walls

Author:Rich Walls
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, coming of age, travel, romantic comedy, christmas, chicago, inspiring, first job, boy meets girl, young professional, character driven, twentysomethings, standby, rich walls
Publisher: Rich Walls

Swept away, by the cold snow blowin’

Made me pray, my skin still showin’

Led by midnight white, below the moon

Bless cold snow, help me get home soon

“This train, man, what a riot,” Phil says.

“We get a lot of singing in New York, too,” I respond. “Usually not as good as that, though.”

“She was pretty good, right?”

“Yea.” I look down at Amy. She’s still leaning back to see if the woman might attempt a reprise, but the woman’s head is bent forward now with eyes shut.

“How you like New York?” Phil asks.

“It’s fun,” I say.

“Yea. My family’s still out there, in Stamford.”

“Yanks fan?”

“No way. I only went to high school in Stamford, I really grew up in Baltimore. Die hard O’s fan. One day we’ll get it. You like the Yankees?”

“Yea.”

“Oh well, shit happens, right.”

“Twenty-seven times.”

“Yea, yea, yea. Claire’s brother’s like that. Kid’s spent his whole life in San Francisco and somehow he’s a Yankees fan, too.”

“Give him a break.”

“Listen, Claire, I love your brother, but that’s one thing I’m never giving him a break on.”

“Amy, do you watch baseball?” Claire asks.

“Huh?” Amy says. She hadn’t been paying any attention.

“Who’s your baseball team?”

“Don’t really care, to be honest.”

“I knew I liked this girl!” Claire yells. “I can’t get Phil to shut up about the Orioles, or the Ravens and Magicians.”

“Wizards, babe.”

“Whatever, I knew it was some magic crap.”

“Yea, it’s all the same to me, too,” Amy replies.

“James,” Claire says, “I think you’ve got a winner here.”

I start to laugh. It’s funny to hear strangers imply that we’re a couple. Amy comes up smiling, as well. When both Claire and Phil aren’t looking she gives me an impulsive wink as if to play along. It’s more encouragement than I need.

The train plows its way east on through the blizzard, stopping at station after station without anyone stepping on or off. At one point, Phil and I try to sit on our luggage but there’s not even room enough to bend our knees.

“Want me to sit on your lap, hun?” Claire asks Phil.

“I’m okay, babe.”

“Do you want to sit on my lap, James?” Amy says, looking about ready to burst.

“No thanks, sweetheart.”

“Any time, pumpkin.”

“Wise-asses,” cracks Phil.

The train finally banks away from the highway, though it makes little difference from a viewing standpoint. It’s essentially a white out now. Phil says we’re getting close, which is good, because I’m not sure how else we’d make it back if this thing were to break down.

As the stops continue to tick by, Phil rambles on while I try to acknowledge what I can. Mostly, however, I check on Amy who has since laid her head sideways on the red suitcase.

For just about everyone else onboard, the ride’s a slow grind back, each stop a cold reminder of a vacation delayed or a return to loved ones foiled. But as Amy makes a pillow out of her suitcase, I’m not sure there’s anywhere else I’d rather be. I know it’s a sham, maybe just an extra day of

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