Train stations can either be the happiest place in the world or the saddest place in the world. It really depends on what or who a person is there for. I can safely say that everyone at the station today is happy. After three long years, my brother is coming home from Europe and the war is over. With Calpurnia on my left, Atticus on my right, and Dill right behind me, hugging me around the waist; I have never felt so complete as I do right now. I'm jumping out of my skin as the train wheels screech onto the platform.
The crowd at the station roars with applause as the train comes to a halt and the doors open for our veterens. One by one, soldiers still in uniform step of the train and into the arms of their family and/or sweethearts. My heart began to sink as it seems I waited for every last one of the soldiers to get off but no sign of my brother.
"Where do you suppose he is?"
That was when Dill kissed my temple. I flinched; those were not his kisses, nor were they Cal's or Atticus'. I turned around to see it was Jem who snuck up behind me to give me a surprise kiss. Dill and Atticus erupted with laughter at my reaction to seeing him. I jumped into my brother's arms and we kissed each other's cheeks. He looked so tan, thin and...grown up. He looked like he aged thirteen years in three. I guess that's what war can do to a person. I didn't care; he looked like a dream to me and it was one of those moments where you understand just how much someone means to you. I never wanted to let my brother go.
"Jem," Dill piped up, hugging me from behind again. "Take a look at this."
Dill had grabbed my left hand and showed off my new ring that he gave me. It was a garnet stone with a gold band. Jem took my hand and studied it for a while; he didn't quite know what to think. I'm not so sure he even knew what we were trying to tell him.
"It's your birthstone," I said.
"Yeah, I know," he said. "What are you trying to tell me?"
"I know we didn't consult you with our engagement," Dill spoke up. "I wanted to make sure you didn't feel so left out. Scout told me she loved the color of your birthstone so I thought I would honor you with making her engagement ring a garnet one."
"That's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me," Jem said as he pulled Dill into a hug. "Congratulations, man."
"Thanks," Dill replied, hugging him back.
"My little sister's getting married," he said, pulling me into a hug with a free arm. "I can't believe it."
"You can't?" Atticus chuckled.
"Hey, Atticus," Jem walked over and finally embraced him. The tears were really flowing freely from my eyes now.
"Hey, Cal," he said, making his way over to her. Cal greeted him with a hug and a kiss.
"Welcome home, Mister Jem," she said. Her voice was becoming weak in her old years. Every year, little by little, she would come off as less stern than before. I know we always didn't get along but I still thank God everyday I still have her.
I take one more look around the train station and then back to my own family. We were all together again, if only in this moment. I prayed that I would only continue to cry happy tears for years to come...