Stacy Jones returned to the station the day after her nephew Dan's funeral. As she solemnly prepared for the beginning of the workday, she did not suspect what the Jukebox Band had planned for her. Nor did Schemer, who arrived just a few minutes after her. What was about to transpire would bring both of them to tears.
"Okay, everybody ready?" asked Grace.
"Ready as we'll ever be," replied Didi. "Remember, this is for Stacy. Hit it, Tito."
Tito began to play on his piano, cueing Tex to begin singing the tribute they had written.
Goodbye Daniel Jones And it seems to me you lived your life Loneliness was naught
May you ever stay in our hearts
You had the grace to hold yourself
When life was getting hard
You lived here in the valley
And you still had so much to gain
But now you've gone to Heaven
And the angels know your name
Like a candle in the wind
Never failing to make us smile
When the rain set in
And we're happy to have known you
Since you were just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did
Every time you crossed paths with us
You wished to know about our lives
And in you we placed our trust
Even though you've died
We keep on moving strong
That's what you'd want us all to do
Although mourning you is never wrong
And it seems to me you lived your life Goodbye Daniel Jones
Like a candle in the wind
Never failing to make us smile
When the rain set in
And we're happy to have known you
Since you were just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did
May you ever stay in our hearts
You had the grace to hold yourself
When life was getting hard
Goodbye Daniel Jones
From a valley lost without your soul
Who'll miss the days you brightened here
More than you'll ever know
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never failing to make us smile
When the rain set in
And we're happy to have known you
Since you were just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did
By the time it was over, Stacy had become a blubbering mess. Schemer, trying in vain to hold back his own tears, gently held Stacy against his chest. It was the most beautiful thing either of them had ever heard.
"I'm sure he would have loved that," said Schemer. "And I know he'll always be with you and at this station in spirit."
"I do too," replied Stacy, who managed to compose herself. "He wouldn't have traded his time with his friends and family for anything. That's just the kind of person he was."
At this point, the first customers of the day began filing into the station.
"But of course, life must go on," Stacy continued. "So let's pay our own tribute to Dan by keeping this part of the railway running smoothly."
"Yep," said Schemer. "The trains keep coming and here, the nickels don't stop flowing."
Stacy returned to the desk and Schemer went back to the arcade. They were still sad about Dan, but they knew he wouldn't want them to spend all day grieving him. There was work to be done and a successful day was a good day. As long as they did that, Dan would always be proud of them.