Chapter Three: I Wonder
"So, sweetheart. How was school?"
"It was alright, Mum, and Mrs. Woodwind said that I did well with playing the violin on my first go!", Cara exclaimed as she was preparing for her homework spread across the dining table.
"Oh, I'm so happy to hear that. I told you that you're The Music Angel here.", Cara's mother beamed as Cara chuckled from the teasing before Cara's mother proceeded to ask a question, "So, what was James like? Your new friend?"
When her mother asked that question, Cara went quiet for a moment as she only talked to him once and barely knew him beside him being so curious about her condition and understanding her better, "Well, he's very nice. Although I accidentally forgot to thank him or greet him as I had a rough day and..."
"Rough day?", Cara's mother questioned as she began to frown in concern, "I thought your day went well and…"
Cara realised what she said as she shook her head and explained her "rough day", "Just stress, Mum. Especially I got a new teacher for Arts. Don't worry, I'm fine."
Cara's mother wasn't so sure to believe her daughter as she knew that Cara found school challenging, especially with bullying and not being treated fairly, "Are you sure? Honey, if there's any problem, you can tell me.", she explained as she approached her daughter and placed her hand on her daughter's shoulder blade.
Cara was startled before she nodded, "Yes, Mum. I promise."
"If you say so.", Cara's mother frowned a bit before she decided to allow her child to continue on her story about her interaction with James, "Anyways, what happened after you forgot to greet him and thank him?"
Cara was still sorting her homework out, mainly her English one as she replied with a beaming smile, "I apologised, and that's when he found out I was blind. He was confused at first, but I have to explain that I don't need pity, and I'm fine for just being me."
This made Cara's mother frown upside down as she was glad to hear that her daughter could tell a story about her interaction with others. She rarely hears stories about her daughter making friends, and she rarely hears about Cara's "friend" being there for her. She knew that making friends was one thing, but being left out or bullied was another.
However, seeing her daughter look so enthusiastic about starting a potential friendship with an engine warmed her heart, "Aww, I'm glad that he understood. This was just a whole misunderstanding that's been resolved, dear."
After that, Cara wanted to know how her Mother's Day went, and Cara's mother replied that her day was swell, despite it being busier than usual, and she even made a beautiful bouquet of roses for a bride-to-be. Cara and her mother always share their days as they proceed to do things they need to do. Once the conversation was over, Cara's mother told Her that if she needed help with her English and Maths homework, she would just call her as she was going to do the laundry.
Cara understood and thanked her mother as her mother headed outside to collect a load of now dried clothes from the sun's radiant heat. Cara traced her finger to read one of the homework books, and it spelled "Maths" for her, and she decided to start her multiplication and division. However, as she paced her time in her work, she couldn't help but think about her interaction with James.
James seemed nice, and he seemed genuinely curious about her. She had never met anyone who wanted to know her as a friend. The only "friend" she had was Hannah, but she would always make poor or pathetic excuses on why she wouldn't hang out with her, and this has been happening for a while now. Hannah seemed to focus on herself more, while James seemed to focus on Cara. Cara thought hard before she sighed, "I don't think I met anyone that wanted to know me as a friend. Hannah has barely talked to me, and I keep hearing rumours that she's been hanging out with Trent, Darren, and the other boys. Could it be true?"
With that troublesome thought, she decided to take a slow deep breath before she faced an open window where the light shone on her glowing skin as daisies were blown gently from the breeze. After those thoughts faded away and focused back on James, she then smiled, "I hope I can meet you again, James. I hope we can be friends."
…
Bolts being turned with wheels being adjusted as Thomas squinted and groaned, "I'm sorry, my friend. This should be done shortly, and we will inspect tomorrow and see if you're fit for work.", explained a red narrow gauge engine named Victor with a remorseful smile as he knew that the tank engine was in pain.
"I sure hope so.", Thomas sighed as his final wheel was secured and attached.
"There you go!", Victor beamed, "Now you can have some rest, Thomas."
"T-thanks, Victor.", Thomas thanked him sheepishly as he felt a blush building up from embarrassment from groaning and crying in pain.
"De nada!", Victor replied in Spanish "you're welcome," as he went to meet up with Kevin, a cheerful yet clumsy yellow crane.
Once Victor was out of sight, Thomas sighed as he was not happy to have an accident after taking the children to school as he was now hanging with chains wrapped tightly around him to keep him secure and make it easier for the inspectors to examine him and see if any more issues need to be resolved. Just as Thomas frowned while waiting sombrely, he heard a familiar whistle as he looked down as gasped in surprise, "James!", he blushed in embarrassment as he chuckled weakly, "I'm surprised to see you!"
"Wouldn't miss seeing my cheeky blue tank engine." James teased as he playfully winked at him before he asked in a concerned tone, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah.", Thomas replied with a small sigh and a smile, "I'm going to find out if I can continue my work tomorrow, or I have to be assigned to a simpler task until I'm better."
"Oh dear.", James frowned as he looked down as he felt terrible for him, and he knew that this was no time for teasing.
"So, James? How was your day?", Thomas asked as he was intrigued to hear how James' splendid day went, even though he would most likely hear James boasting about his day and probably his paintwork.
James wasted no time as he talked about his day, "Great Thomas! I pulled the coaches as usual and did not have to deal with stinky, annoying trucks today, and I was assigned to do your task, Thomas!"
Thomas didn't know that James was assigned to collect the students from Dryaw's School, so he decided to ask more about it out of curiosity, "Oh. Do tell. What happened?"
"Well, all the kids admired me as usual as I am splendid.", James chuckled as Thomas rolled his eyes with a small smile as a reply before he continued, "But, I met this girl, and she didn't greet me or thanked me at first. I honestly thought she was rude."
"Oh my. I'm surprised to hear that.", Thomas gasped, "Many kids are usually happy."
James blinked his eyes as a nod, "That's what I thought, and when I spoke… out loud… she turned around, and I realised why she didn't respond."
"Why's that?", Thomas asked with a tiny shaped mouth and wide eyes.
"Because she was blind.", James replied, "I'll admit… I felt terrible for making a wrong assumption, but she seemed unaffected by it and seemed… happy. She even gladly explained her being blind, which got me curious."
Thomas understood the situation and laughed a bit, "I know who you're talking about. That girl must be Cara."
"Yes, that's her name!", James exclaimed, "How do you know? Do you talk to her?"
"Rarely, as I'm too busy, but she's usually very polite, and she does thank me. Perhaps she must have had a rough day.", Thomas replied.
"Perhaps so.", James sighed before he frowned in confusion, "But Thomas. How is she blind and still be… happy?"
Thomas didn't have a solid answer as he didn't know what it was like to be blind nor asked anyone who was blind about their experiences. The only answer he could give was, "She's just like any kid, James. Perhaps her blindness does not define her entirely."
However, this doesn't make any sense for James as he thinks blindness is a burden for others, yet just remembering the conversation with the blind girl and how she doesn't allow her blindness to affect her makes him wonder more. Despite this, James did admire the girl's kindness and wisdom from a young age, and he admitted to himself that he hoped to meet her again.
"Hola, James.", spoke Victor as he puffed in and explained, "I'm glad to see you visiting Thomas, but I'm afraid you have to go as it's getting late soon. I promise you can revisit him tomorrow afternoon."
James wheeshed steam sadly as he looked at Thomas with a pouty face, "But I don't want to go."
Thomas smirked as he made funny faces, which made James laugh, "Don't worry. I'll see you again soon, and if you continue my work, you might meet Cara again.", Thomas smiled, "See you tomorrow."
"Alright, Thomas. See you then. Love you.", James smiled with a soft pink blush building on his cheeks as he winked again.
Thomas blushed as he chuckled a bit. There, James reversed to the turntable, which was outside of The Steamworks, and by then, the sunset was beginning to occur. Once he was set in place, the turntable slowly moved around as James thought to himself, "Cara is such a kind girl. I honestly never met someone that could be so humble, despite being blind. And yet, I still don't understand. Being blind yet still be happy. She would never get to see her family, friends, the flowers, the trees, or even me. But if she's happy, she's still happy. I hope to see her again tomorrow if I have to help Thomas again."
After the turntable was set in place, James puffed away as he headed to Tidmouth Sheds, looking exhausted with a tired smile. His day was splendid in the most interesting way. A blind girl happily talking about her condition without looking sad was something for James. His journey went well, yet his thoughts kept playing on how blind people can be happy. Can deaf people be happy or people with no limbs or can't talk at all? With all those questions, he just needed a good answer, but until then, he was just eager to get some early goodnight's sleep.
…
Nighttime hit at Tidmouth Sheds as James made it back home as he set himself at the turntable before reversing back into his berth, next to Nia and Thomas's berth, which remained empty. Only Edward, Gordon, Rebecca, Nia, and Emily were there as they were stunned that James didn't make a grand entrance as usual or make a small witty remark to make everyone laugh. He seemed tired yet content. James did greet them but explained he needed some rest. With that, James closed his weary eyes and bid goodnight to everyone. Everyone in Tidmouth Sheds wondered how James' day went.
…
The next day rolled by as Cara was awoken by the usual sound of the pestering alarm clock. She tapped the alarm clock, and she was ready to seize the day. Stella, being a clever canine, collected her backpack and brought it to the kitchen as Cara had her breakfast while Cara's mother prepared her daughter to get ready for school. Cara looked quite excited yet nervous. Would she meet James again, and would school go well?
Once she was ready, Cara bid Stella farewell as she and her mother raced to the car and rushed to Knapford Station. Luckily, they arrived ten minutes early as the P.A. announced on what platform takes you. Cara's mother kissed her daughter on the cheek goodbye. Cara waved as she smiled. When Cara's mother was out of sight, Cara felt nervous, "Another day at school. I hope all goes well."
…
After Cara had waited for a solid five minutes, she heard many footsteps from students rushing to the end of the platform, cheering and screaming, when suddenly, she heard a familiar whistle, "Here's James!"
"James!", Cara gasped in surprise with a big grin as she used her stick and his voice to navigate through the crowd before she was next to the scarlet red engine and waved, "James! Remember me!"
