The Train Stops Here

by Gail Sattler

  Because her father was a railroad employee, her family received a free rail pass to be used anytime they wanted to travel. Therefore, she couldn’t offer him a ticket, because she had none. However, she’d managed to save a small amount of money from working occasionally at Mr. Sabinski’s store. Since Elliott wouldn’t be leaving until Saturday evening, this allowed her the time to buy him a ticket, although she had a feeling that for his help in driving her father to the hospital and back, her parents would instead be the ones purchasing it for him.

  In addition to wanting to be assured of his safety, the delay would give her more time to talk to him, and she dearly wanted to talk. Or, if the last passenger train left before they arrived back from Beauséjour, then he would have to stay until Sunday afternoon. That meant not only would she have another day with him, but he could attend church with her family.

  Louise smiled at him, hoping she wasn’t being too forward or that he wouldn’t get the wrong impression of her words. “That will be nice. It will be good to have you as our guest so we can thank you for doing this for us.”

  Elliott nodded. “It’s not a problem. I didn’t give my friend a specific date as to when I would arrive, although admittedly it has taken me much longer than anticipated. If I’ve calculated correctly where we are, I’m only halfway to my destination. I’m wondering if I could trouble you for some paper and a stamp to write and tell him I’ll be there later than my last letter stated. I don’t want to further jeopardize the job he’s offered me, but at this point all I can do is to send the letter to my brother and have him forward it. I don’t have Edward’s address memorized, only the directions on how to get there, and I can’t put those on the letter.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Louise caught her mother attempting to hide a yawn. “I think we should start getting ready to retire for the night. Elliott, I hope you don’t mind sleeping on the couch. We can get you a blanket and a pillow.”

  He smiled, and Louise thought it was a lovely sight.

  “Compared to where I’ve slept in the last few days, your couch is pure luxury.”

  Her mother smiled back. “But first, and I’m sure you won’t argue with this: You, Mr. Endicott, need a bath.”

  His lovely smile faded, and even beneath the untidy beard, Louise could see his blush. “Yes, Ma’am, I believe I do.”

  “And one more thing, Mr. Endicott. And I’ve asked you this before.”

  “Yes, Ma’am?”

  “Please. Stop calling me ‘Ma’am.’ ”

  ❧

  Elliott followed Louise into the basement. He’d never seen anything like it in his life. Instead of a trapdoor in the kitchen floor leading down to a dugout, the doorway to the basement was wide open and had a set of real stairs going down, just like the stairs going up to the bedrooms. This basement ceiling was low, but the room itself was as large as the house. Instead of a dirt floor, the floor and walls were concrete.

  The large room was far from empty. Straight ahead he could see a huge round metal tub, and beside it, a smaller metal tub with a washboard inside. To his right as they walked down the stairs, were shelves filled with preserved fruit, and next to the shelves, piles of boxes. To his left sat a large furnace, and next to it, a large woodpile consisting of both logs and broken-up old railway ties.

  “There’s the washtub.”

  He nodded and lifted the tub, which was more awkward than heavy. He slung it upside down over his back, and once he got to the top of the stairs, rolled it sideways through the door. He carried it in the same manner all the way to the kitchen, where he put it down near the cookstove.

  Mrs. Demchuck straightened from beside a pump on the floor near the back door, where she had just finished filling a pail. She then carried it to the cookstove and dumped it in a large oval container that covered half the top of the surface.

  Bathing in a metal tub in the middle of a stranger’s kitchen would in no way compare to the relaxing experience of a nice warm bath at home. However, between the late time and his disgusting condition, he couldn’t complain, nor did he have the right to compare. Even though he had been born and raised with the conveniences of the city, he thought he remembered a similar tub as a young child. When he was ten, his family had updated to a stationary tub with running water at the same time as the rest of the neighborhood. He appreciated all the work the Demchuck family was doing for him, sharing their best and seeing to his most obvious need, which was to clean himself up.

  During the drive to the hospital, he had been embarrassed to think of what it had been like for them to be enclosed with him in the confined quarters of the car for such a long period of time. When they had arrived at the hospital, he’d tried to wait outside since he was far from sanitary, but Mrs. Demchuck insisted he stay with them, as if they had belonged together.

  The odd situation had moved him more than he cared to admit. After the death of his parents five years ago, the only family he had left was his brother and his brother’s wife and their children. As close as he felt to his brother, he still felt like an outsider when it came to family affairs. Without words, a bond he couldn’t explain had developed with the Demchucks. Even if all he could do for them was to drive their car, he would do anything they asked him, simply because of the way they had opened their hearts and home to him.

  “Can I carry that pail for you? You must be tired; it’s been a long day for you,” he said, trying to stifle a yawn of his own, after watching Mrs. Demchuck’s yawn. It had also been a long day for him. It had been over twenty-four hours since he’d last slept, and that sleep had not been long or comfortable. He felt himself start to sway at the thought of lying down for a much-needed sleep on their comfortable couch.

  Even though he was thoroughly exhausted, the work of carrying the bucket and filling the tub helped to keep him awake, but at this point, he doubted anything could keep him alert.

  Louise changed places with her mother at the pump, and Mrs. Demchuck left the room.

  “Tell me about where you come from. Is it a big city?”

  Elliott could barely think straight, but he tried to describe what he thought were the most interesting aspects of Katona Falls to someone who would never go there. She laughed when he explained that there really was no waterfall there. Often the residents conjectured about how the name of the town came to be, yet they came up with no answers.

  Once the washtub contained a few inches of water in the bottom, Louise walked to the cookstove and ladled the water from the oval container into the pail, then dumped it into the tub.

  Mrs. Demchuck returned with an armful of clothing. “Here is a clean towel for you, and I’ve brought you the smallest of what I could find of John’s clothes.” She laid the pile of neatly folded clothing on the corner of the table. “The soap is on the table with the basin, and I’ve also brought you a facecloth. If that water is warm enough, we’ll leave you alone now.”

  Louise dipped one hand into the water. “Yes, I think it’s fine. Please call us when you’re done.”

  Before he could say anything more, they quickly left the room, and the curtain between the kitchen and dining room slid closed.

  He’d never been in such a situation in his life, but he suspected that they were feeling as awkward as he was to have a strange man bathing in their kitchen. He marveled at their trust in him in the absence of the man of the house. No matter how quickly his exhaustion claimed him, Elliott vowed to say a special prayer for them tonight and perhaps every night for the rest of his life.

  He quickly removed his soiled clothing and stepped into the tub. The warm water tempted him to relax, but considering the circumstances, he bathed as quickly as he could. By the time he left the tub, his eyes were nearly closing of their own accord.

  He discovered the hard way that Mr. Demchuck’s clothing was at least two sizes too big for him, but it was clean and warm. Mrs. Demchuck had no doubt compared his frame to that of her larger husband, because in addition to the clothing, she had al
so supplied a belt and suspenders.

  He toweled his hair dry and joined the ladies in the living room. They both lowered their knitting to their laps at the same time.

  “Should I assume that the water gets dumped outside?”

  “Yes, a few steps beyond the back door we have a small ditch where we dump all the used water.”

  “You ladies go to bed; I’ll do that. I don’t know how I can ever thank you for your hospitality.”

  “Consider it our pleasure. I’ve left a pillow and some blankets here for you. Sleep well, Elliott.”

  He nodded. “And you, Mrs. Demchuck, Louise.”

  Through weary eyes, he could see the hint of a smile from Mrs. Demchuck when he called her by name, instead of “Ma’am.”

  When the ladies climbed the stairs, he returned to the kitchen and dumped the water in the ditch as she’d explained. With this task accomplished, he aimed himself for the soft, comfortable couch. Once down, he didn’t bother to cover himself properly, and he fell into a deep, exhausted sleep.

  ❧

  Elliott slowly became aware that the world was shaking. A rumble that grew to a loud roar tried to separate him from his dreams, but what finally pulled him out of his sleep was the heavenly aroma of frying bacon and fresh coffee.

  With a start, he sat up, discovering himself tangled in blankets, on a couch, in a living room he didn’t recognize. As the world came into focus, he realized that the shaking and the roar was from a train going by.

  He blinked, and slowly the events of the day before played over in his head like the script of a movie, except that everything was in color.

  As quickly as he could, he gathered his thoughts and folded the blankets. He wasn’t sure where he was to leave them, and as he looked around the room contemplating the best place, he spotted a man’s jacket hanging over the chair next to the desk.

  Elliott smiled at Mrs. Demchuck’s thoughtfulness. He slipped on the jacket, exited the house, and walked around to the back of the property to the outhouse. Over the past few days he thought he’d become used to the cold, but after only one night in a warm house, the morning air chilled him to the bone. Never again would he take indoor plumbing for granted.

  Once he returned inside, he draped Mr. Demchuck’s jacket over the chair and entered the kitchen.

  “Good morning, ladies.”

  Mrs. Demchuck turned to him. “And a good morning to you. Did you sleep well, Elliott?”

  “Yes, I did. Thank you, Ma’—Mrs. Demchuck.”

  At his near slipup, Louise made a strange sound, covered her mouth with her hands, and turned away.

  Elliott couldn’t look away. Yesterday, since he had been so tired, he had poured all his concentration into trying to help them. By the time they’d arrived back at the house, he could have fallen asleep on the hard wooden floor, but instead, he’d had to take a bath. He’d been so tired he had barely been able to keep his eyes focused. He didn’t remember making it to the couch, but obviously he had.

  Today, he felt like a new man. Most of all, he could think clearly.

  The first thing that popped into his mind was that he hadn’t properly dealt with Louise. Yesterday everything had happened so fast, and, before he knew it, he was waking up on their couch.

  In too short a time, the next freight train would be pulling away from their little burg, and he hadn’t yet properly expressed his thanks for all Louise and her family had done for him. If he and Louise had met any other way, he would have liked to get to know her better. But, since he was in the middle of nowhere and would never pass this way again, developing any sort of relationship, even a simple friendship, could only lead to hurt and disappointment. When the time came for them to separate, it would be forever.

  Still, if all he had was until dinnertime when the next freight train passed through, he wanted to make the most of it.

  “What time is it?” he asked.

  “It’s nearly ten o’clock. You’ve apparently slept in.”

  Mentally, he counted on his fingers. By the time they ate, then drove to the hospital and back, it would be midafternoon. He didn’t know if the freight trains kept the same schedule on the weekend. Actually, the more he thought about it, he really wasn’t positive that this was the weekend. Something deep inside hoped that today’s schedule would allow him more time to stay, even if it meant a colder ride due to a later hour.

  “Dare I ask, what day is it?”

  Louise’s eyebrows quirked up. “Today is Saturday.”

  Mrs. Demchuck turned from her place at the cookstove. “Breakfast is almost ready. Would you like to have a seat?”

  He glanced quickly to the table, which was already set for three. Elliott lowered himself into one of the chairs and waited while Mrs. Demchuck brought the frying pan to the table and portioned the food onto the plates.

  “Checkout time at the hospital is noon, although it won’t take nearly as long to get there as it did last night.”

  Elliott looked up to the clock on the wall. “What time should we be leaving, then?”

  “Actually, if I have to go this time, I won’t have enough time to prepare dinner. Since everything is under control and he’s now coming home, I thought that I would stay here, and Louise can go in my place to give you directions to the hospital. I doubt you’d remember your way after that awful trip in the dark.” She turned to her daughter. “Louise, do you mind?”

  Five

  Elliott backed the car out of the garage, then got out and ran around to open the passenger side door for Louise. She smiled hesitantly at him as he held the door open for her and slid in, carefully tucking her skirt beneath her before he pushed the door closed.

  He quickly ran back around, grinning as he made a point of glancing at the only road in and out of the small burg. “I don’t think I need directions to get out of Pineridge,” he said as he began the trip down the long, narrow dirt road.

  She grinned back. “No, I don’t suppose you do. I guess where you come from is much bigger than this. Cat—something Falls, where there are no falls?”

  He smiled. “Katona Falls. Because it was dark and we were in such a rush, I didn’t see much of the city on the way to the hospital. I think Katona Falls is much bigger than Bows. . .uh. . .I really can’t remember what it is, much less pronounce it.”

  Louise laughed, and it was a delightful sound. She pretended to tie a bow tie at her throat. “Bows. Now think zees.” She pointed to her lower lip, letting her mouth open wide as the next syllable came out. “Zuh.” Lastly, she pressed her teeth together at the same time as pursing her lips, the last syllable coming out between her teeth. “Zhure. Beauséjour. It’s a French name. I don’t speak French, nor do I know what it means, but I can pronounce that one word.” She grinned widely. “After a little practice, mind you.”

  They laughed together as she continued to coach him with the correct pronunciation until he got it right. As they continued on, they talked about many things, yet nothing in particular for the length of their journey. Elliott couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed himself so much.

  He also couldn’t believe how soon they reached the town limits, compared to the grueling expedition the previous evening. While the trip would have taken longer at night, he knew the companionship had made the difference. He found himself very disappointed that within minutes they would be at the hospital, and his time alone with Louise would be over.

  As soon as he parked the car, he ran around to Louise’s door and opened it for her. She turned to enter the small hospital building, but he touched her arm, stopping her midstep.

  “This probably isn’t the best time to ask, but since this will likely be the last time we will have alone together, I want to ask if I may write to you once I’m settled into my new job? Within a few hours I’ll be gone, and I feel there is so much more we have to say to each other.”

  Her eyes widened, making Elliott think he had never seen such pretty eyes. Her cheeks darkened, and she lowe
red her head and stared at the ground. “Yes, I think I’d like that. Our address is very simple, just Pineridge, Manitoba. Everyone knows everybody else, and the post office is at Mr. Sabinski’s store. We don’t need to use the addresses or anything like that.”

  He escorted Louise to her father’s room, where they found him perched on the side of the bed talking to a nurse. Mr. Demchuck smiled as soon as he saw them enter the room.

  He held up a pair of crutches. “This is harder than it looks.”

  The nurse crossed her arms over her chest. “We wanted our patient to stay another day, but he insists on going home.”

  Mr. Demchuck shook his head. “I have work to do. I don’t have a lead hand to take over for me. No one will have done the track inspection this morning, and I can’t leave it unchecked another day.”

  The nurse tapped her foot, her arms still crossed. “I’m sorry, Mr. Demchuck, but I’m afraid that’s impossible. You won’t be doing any work for awhile. You might be up more in a week when you get used to the crutches, but even then, you’ll find movement quite exhausting. And if you fall. . .” The nurse shook her head. “I don’t want to see you back here with a broken arm in the next few days. You’ll heal best if you rest. Do I have to call for the doctor?”

  “I can only rest once the track is taken care of and I’m at home. Louise, did your mother give you the money to pay for everything?”

  Louise pulled an envelope out of her purse and handed it to her father. Mr. Demchuck counted the money inside and nodded. “We’ll be leaving then.”

  The nurse scowled, but at the same time, one corner of her mouth crooked up, and she cleared her throat.

  Elliott leaned closer to Louise so he could whisper. “Is he always like this?”

  She nodded very slightly. “Yes, but it’s not what it seems. We’ve been here before when members of the section gang have been hurt, and most of the nurses know Papa. This is the first time he’s been hurt, so it’s a little different this time. They know he likes to tease, but they also know when he is being serious.”