As Skittery walked away towards the left, I couldn't tell if he was upset or furious. I just stared straight ahead. I might not have known what was going on in his head, but I knew I was fuming. I couldn't think of a more inappropriate time to kiss anyone.
An older woman with white hair in a tick braid came by the bench. She tapped my shoulder and pulled me out of the rant that I was on in my head. "Do you mind?" She asked gesturing towards the space next to me.
"Oh, no, of course." I slid down to make more space for her.
"So, dear, where are you headed?" She questioned in that pleasant old lady voice.
"Savannah."
"Oh, why is that?" She smiled broadly.
"Um, I don't really want to talk about it."
She nodded like she knew what was going on.
"I'm off to San Diego. My grandson just started a business there." She said. The way she talked about him was the exact opposite of the way my own grandmother had. It brought up a bit of pain. Isn't your family supposed to act like this woman? She thought her grandson was the greatest person to walk the earth. To say I wasn't jealous would be a terrible lie.
"You must be proud." I said quietly.
"I am." She paused and looked at me long and hard. "Are you alright?"
I couldn't believe myself when my head slowly went back and forth. She was so happy; why should I bother her with my pity party.
"Oh, dear," She lightly touched my arm. "What's wrong?"
"I'm going to Savannah to see my father. He's in the Navy and he's been hurt and they aren't even sure if he's going to be alright." I blubbered and forcefully rubbed my eyes to stop the tears that were forming from falling. "And then my best friend," I'd never thought of it, but Skittery was my best friend here." "He kissed me because I told him I might not come back from Savannah, and I screamed at him. It just..." 'Why did I just tell a total stranger all of that?' I asked myself.
"My goodness." She looked like she didn't know what to say.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."
"Don't be, you can't keep that all that bottled up." She pulled something out of her skirt pocket. She kept it in her fist and took me hand. She pressed the object into my hand and closed my fingers around it. "You need it more than I do right now." I opened my fist and saw a small, elegant rosary with pearl beads. My mouther hung open. I still don't know how she could something so generous to a total stranger.
"I can't take this." I tried to give it back.
"Yes you can." She smiled and gently touched my arm. "Pray with it. God will get you through all of this. I'll also pray for you." I brought my hand up to my mouth.
I searched my head for something appropriate to say. All I could come with was a simple, "Thank you."
"No need to thank me." She said lightly. She looked up to see a conductor calling out that the San Diego bound train was here. "That's me. You're obviously a strong young woman and you'll pull through this, I promise." With those final words she got up and left.
As she walked away, I knew I'd never see her again, but I wouldn't forget her either. Something about how generous and sympathetic she had been was exactly what I needed from someone right then. I was no longer blaming my father for leaving me or Skittery for what he had done.
I sat back, and looked closely at the rosary. The etching in a gold charm at the end of it depicted a beautiful, thoughtful Mary smiling. I began to pray on the beads. By the time I had finished, a conductor announced my train was here.
I boarded and was shown, much to my surprise, to the first class coach. Normally the Captain insisted on regular seating, claiming first class was a waste of money. I suppose he knew I'd be distressed and thought I should at least be comfortable. I settled down in a red velvet chair and watched people file in.
I made a game of guessing what stop they would get off at and what they would do there. One woman wearing a large hat with a feather sticking out of it in her 30s gave me a frown when she realized her seat was next to mine. That was the first time I noticed that I looked much dirtier than everyone else after a night in the alley. Shrugging off her disapproval and trying to be the bigger person I greeted her and introduced myself.
"Hello." I stopped to smile. She just nodded back. "I'm Mary." I held out my hand. She lightly took it in her own gloved one, confused by my mismatched appearance and etiquette. I guess she thought I was going to spit on her.
"Lady Cornelia Townsend." She said in an English accent.
"Pleased to meet you." I said, still smiling.
"I must say, please don't be offended, you don't look like quite the typical girl to ride 1st class."
"I can't say I am. This is my first time actually. It was also a bit of a surprise for me. If I'd known I wouldn't have slept in an alley last night." I laughed a little at her shocked look.
"You slept in an alley last night? Why in heaven's name would you do that?"
"It's a bit of a long story."
"Well this is a bit of long trip. I've got time." She said, her prejudice overwhelmed by her curiosity.
I explained to her my entire experience in New York from arriving at the Lodging House to boarding the train. She shocked me by laughing at and congratulating me for humiliating Victoria. She also commended me for 'putting Skittery in his place' as she worded it.
"That's fascinating." She said sounding truly interested. "Have you ever considered writing this all down?"
"Well, not really." I answered truthfully.
I'm thinking, eh, about 3 or 4 more chapters left to this one.