Chapter 423: Penn Station
Monday, February 13th, Morning
The UBER dropped her off at the entrance to the Long Island Railroad Terminal of Penn Station. She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and walked towards the entrance. The polished metal and lights gave the entrance a modern look, which to her seemed tacky. As she rode down the escalator and passed the police at the top of it, she looked around to the lower level of Penn Station.
Upon reaching the bottom of the escalator, Fallon Stafford walked over to one of the concourses. Adjusting her bag once more, she went to a ticket machine and purchased a round-trip ticket to Locust Valley Train Station. Fallon stepped away from the machine and checked the board to see what time her train would leave.
Fallon waited and watched, taking in the sights and sounds of Penn Station. She didn't look forward to the conversation she needed to have at the other end of her train ride. The typical floor show of Penn Station was happening in front of her. It didn't help the normal heat of Penn beat on her bundled-up skin from all sides.
Finally, boarding for her train was called, and she descended another level to the train tracks of the LIRR. Slowly, Fallon walked down the platform until she found a train car and entered it. Fallon found a seat and put her bag down. She stuck her ticket in a pocket ahead of her.
Fallon took out her earbuds and stuck them in her ears. Going through her smartphone, she found her playlist and started to play the music. Finally, she pulled out a pair of CoB Sunglasses, Bellas in Fallon's case, and put them on over her eyes, and she closed her eyes.
The train started to move, and Fallon just kept her eyes closed. Eventually, she felt light on her skin which meant the train had gotten out of the tunnel under the river. That meant they were heading over to the first stop and where Fallon had to change trains.
Eventually, the automated train PA announced that they were pulling into Jamacia Station. Fallon opened her eyes, grabbed her ticket, bag, and got up from her seat. Walking over to the car's doors confidently, she waited for the train to arrive at the station.
As the train arrived at the station, Fallon looked out the window. As the train stopped, Fallon took a deep breath and waited for the doors to open. Fallon crossed the platform and walked over to the double-decker train. Once in the car, she found a new seat and got comfortable.
Once the train was moving, Fallon flipped over to her contacts on her smartphone. She found the one labeled JC and pressed the call button. It took a couple of rings, but it connected.
"Hello, Fallon," the man on the other side said.
"Hey JC, are you working today?" Fallon asked.
"No, why?" JC asked.
"I'm coming in on the next train to LV," Fallon said.
"So, you need a ride," JC said.
"Yeah, if you're busy I can find other means," Fallon said.
"No, no, I'm surprised you didn't call Elliott, that's all," JC said.
"I want to surprise Elliott," Fallon said.
"Okay, I'll see you at the train station," JC said.
"See you then, JC," Fallon said and ended the call.
Fallon leaned back and closed her eyes. She let the train clicks and clanks lull her into a relaxing state. Closing her eyes, she switched to her playlist and started to listen to the song.
The PA would name the stations; Mineola, East Williston, Albertson, Roslyn, Greenvale, Glen Head, Sea Cliff, Glen Street, and Glen Cove. Fallon sat up and opened her eyes, looking around the train car. She stood up and walked down the aisle and stairs to the doors.
As the train slowed down, coming to the Locust Valley Station platform, Fallon saw a metal arch/gantry that was used for something with the fire department. The parking lot, a small station building, and a small park were across the train tracks.
Once the train stopped and doors opened, Fallon stepped out onto the platform. She looked at the lumber yard across from the platform. Nodding, Fallon turned and started to walk down the platform towards the parking lot.
Fallon adjusted her shoulder bag as she reached the parking lot. Taking a deep breath, Fallon noted the air was only a bit cleaner but not as clean as the air in Tree Hill. Looking around the low building of the small hamlet, she smiled.
Standing by his SUV was an older man with closely cropped grey hair. Fallon smiled as she saw the old friend of her dad and granddad. His family had been here for a long time. Fallon walked over to JC, and they hugged each other. The two separated and looked at each other.
"You never come out here," JC said.
"I wouldn't say never," Fallon said.
"Okay, okay, you rarely come out here," JC said.
"That's more like it," Fallon said.
"So, what brings you out here?" JC asked.
"I wanted to see the estate and see Elliott; if you'll remember, I used to spend many weekends out here," Fallon said.
"True, there's been many weekends," JC said.
Fallon nodded, "So, are we ready?" she asked.
"Sure," JC said.
Fallon walked over to the passenger side door and got in. JC started the vehicle, backed out of the space, and pulled out towards Birch Hill Road. JC turned left and drove to the traffic light, then turned right onto Buckram Road. They drove down to the floor of the valley and around some curves. Fallon watched as the library passed on the right and followed by the Locust Valley Fire Department. She sighed as they came to the next major intersection, a three-way stop sign; Fallon saw a local bar/restaurant known as Barney's; the intersection itself is known as Barney's Corner.
They turned left onto Bayville Road and drove up the hill. Fallon watched as the local primary school and intermediate school passed on the left. The next turn they took was a right onto Feeks Lane. They drove through the streets until they headed down the hill to Mill Neck Creek. Feeks Lane changed its name to Cleft Road at this point, and they started to drive across the causeway that separated Mill Neck Creek from Beaver Lake. Fallon looked to the local Osprey Nests and wondered how the birds were making out in the area.
Mill Neck, New York, didn't have many roads; there was no village center, just a collection of estates. Fallon sighed and looked at the tree-lined streets, which had marble block curbing. Fallon closed her eyes and took several deep breaths.
Opening her eyes, Fallon watched as JC turned up one of the many private roads. Fallon's dad told her once that the private road was once the main driveway. Several previous Baldwin Stafford's had portioned the land to their children, which was subsequently sold off.
The gates of the estate came into view, Gracebourne. Fallon sighed and leaned back in the car seat. Gracebourne was built in the era known as the Gilded Age. Eustace Stafford built this estate when his son Godfrey was just a baby. Fallon was technically born here, while she was born at NYU Langone Hospital – Long Island in Mineola, NY; her parents were in residence here when Lydia Stafford went into labor with Fallon.
They stopped at the gate, and JC leaned out of the window and punched in a code. The gates opened, and JC drove through the gates. Fallon looked at her estate house, the one that had been in her family portfolio the longest. The stone and wood building stood before her in a proud, regal way.
JC stopped, and Fallon looked up over the house. She turned and looked at JC.
"You're here," JC said.
"That I am," Fallon said.
"It's such a nice house; I could never understand why you and your father never used it," JC said.
Fallon shrugged, "I can't speak for my dad, but work keeps me in the city," she said, "That's why Elliott is here."
"Okay," JC said.
Fallon nodded and stepped out of the vehicle. After the door closed, JC drove off. Fallon let out a sigh and walked towards the front door. She was reaching into her pocket, pulling out a key ring. Once she reached the door, she unlocked it.
Stepping into the main hall of Gracebourne, Fallon looked up to the second floor. The open curved wood stairs, but the ceiling didn't stop there, as it rose two more levels. Light poured through windows on the upper floor.
"Well, I'm home," Fallon said.
"I see that you are," a voice echoed in the hall.
Fallon looked up to see a short dark brown-haired man leaning on one of the railings. The person nodded and adjusted their backward ball cap.
"Hello, Elliott," Fallon said.
"Hello Cousin, what do I owe this visit?" Elliott Stafford asked.
"We need to talk," Fallon said, with her voice echoing through the entry hall
