Orion woke to find the porter sitting where Sarah should have been.
“Welcome back.” Josh smiled.
“Where is she?” He wiped the sleep from his face.
“Exploring sir, she asked me to watch over you.” The train whistle blew.
“Leaving already?” Orion groaned, “Where are we?”
“Merentro, we are just doing a passenger exchange where we lost so much time.”
“What happened to me?” Orion asked in a weak voice.
“You got really sick, throwing up all over your lady friend.”
“Oh Sarah, she must hate me?”
“No, she took it really well. I had her clothes cleaned.”
“Thank you. Give me the bill when they are done.”
“Sir, may I say something?”
Orion just stared at him for a long moment. “If you must.”
“This one is different sir.”
“What?” Orion was taken by surprise.
“This one is different sir. She is kind, thoughtful, nice and above all full of life. Forgive me, I know this is not my place but she might be the one sir.”
“No, it is not your place.”
“Forgive me sir. I pray you will give her half a chance.”
Sarah entered the car. “Hi guys.”
“You seem happy today.” Josh grinned.
“I have you something Josh, here,” she handed him a little box.
“You shouldn’t have.”
“It isn’t much.”
“Awesome.” He rejoiced opening the lid. “Jazzreman chocolates. Thank you.” He wanted to jump up and down and hug her, instead he left.
She sat down beside of Orion. “I have you something too.”
“Sarah,” he shuffled his feet. “Josh told me that I got sick on you.”
“You didn’t remember that?”
“No, all I remember was our talk on the stairs and I think I only remember part of that.”
“Don’t worry about it.” She gave him a reassuring smile. “I am washable.”
“What’s in the bag?”
The train whistle blew a second time.
She pulled out a blue box. “This is no where near as good as chocolate. But I am praying they will be more beneficial. I believe in herbs and natural medicines. If you are receptive to the idea, I want you to try this. The only thing they are supposed to do is help in relieving the pain, nothing more. You lay one under your tongue and they dissolve. You don’t have to eat or drink.”
He rolled the box around in his hands for a moment. “Thank you.”
“They don’t bite.” She playfully watched him.
A weak smile crossed his lips. “What else is in the bag?”
“Oh,” she giggled. “I found a bagel shop. Since it is breakfast, I bought two huge blueberry bagels smothered in cream cheese.” He started to speak, “I don’t expect you to eat anything. I am going to take these into the dining room so that I don’t tempt you.” She got up. “I did get you something else.” She pulled a colorful tube out of her bag, smiling she left.
He flipped the tube over to see where it came from. There were no markings of any kind. Smiling to himself, he opened the container. She had bought him a lavender shirt. Lavender, he laughed to himself. Not a color he would have chosen. After a long luke warm shower, he joined her in the dining room. She was sitting there with Josh enjoying those huge blueberry bagels. Josh moved to get up.
“No,” Orion waved him down. He pulled up a chair next to Sarah.
She smiled. “Would you like to try a bite?” She asked giggling, “You have on the shirt.”
“How did you know what size to buy?”
“A little birdie told me.”
Josh blushed, “sorry sir.”
“Do you like it?” She asked.
“I don’t know about lavender.”
“It looks good with your complexion. One needs to play with colors.” She wiggled on the seat.
“If I may be so bold, it looks good.” Josh grinned.
“Thank you.”
Josh didn’t want to overstay his welcome; he collected the uneaten half of his bagel and politely left; which was his custom.
Poetry & More 