It Didn’t Go Away
A few weeks went by, and Ben hadn’t mentioned anything about the train to Amy. Thinking that he had forgotten about it, Amy figured that she was in the clear of all-things-train, at least until the day after it came through town. She could envision it now, Ben watching the news, seeing the story about the train, and exclaiming, “Dang, I missed it!”
Then came an evening out.
Ben and Amy were out to dinner at a local Italian restaurant where, when Dan the server came by, Ben mentioned, “Hey Dan, did you hear about the old, steam locomotive coming through town in a month and a half?”
Amy’s face dropped just a little, knowing much of their dinner conversation was now going to be about the train.
“Really?” quipped Dan. “I remember one came through a few years ago.”
“Yeah, it was five years ago. It’s called Big Boy No. 4014.”
“I remember that, yeah,” replied Dan, in that way a server can be interested in a conversation but not really. “It seemed like a big deal back then. A lot of people lined up next to the tracks.”
“Yeah, it’s coming through on a Monday, which kind of sucks,” replied Ben.
“Bummer, we’re closed that day. What can I get you, Ben?” inquired Dan, hoping this would steer the conversation away from the train so he could get back to his customers.
“Oh, yeah.”
Ben glanced down at his menu.
“I’ll have the Veal Portofino, and can you bring me a glass of the house red wine?”
“Sounds good,” commented Dan, as he turned to look at Amy, “And for you, Amy?”
“I’ll have the Pollo Piccante and a glass of the house red, also. You don’t have the stuffed artichokes tonight, do you? I didn’t see them on the menu.”
“The artichokes are going to be on the special’s menu tomorrow, but I’ll get you one early, I know how you love them,” Dan said with a smile. He added, “I’ll get your orders right in.”
As he turned, he glanced at Amy as if to say, “Good luck with your train conversation.”
The minute Dan stepped away, Ben continued the train conversation with Amy, “Yeah, so I was researching the train. I think I’m going to have to take my camera gear one of these weekends and scout out some locations. I don’t want to just be at the crossing like everybody else taking pictures.”
“When do you think you might do this, and where?” inquired Amy.
The excitement level grew in Ben’s voice as he now had a captive audience of one.
“Well, I was using satellite images along the prairie path that runs parallel to the train tracks. Remember how I told you I found this trail that splits off the main line, and goes up on a ridge?” said Ben.
“Not really,” replied Amy.
Ben rambled on, “Well, anyway, while I was looking at the satellite image, it looks like that offshoot trail goes in a circle, getting really close to the tracks. I found on the forest preserve website that there is a trail there. It was created by the glaciers during the ice age, well, that and when they put in the railroad.
Ben’s rambling continued while Amy did her best to listen, “It looks kind of full of brush and stuff, but I want to see how close it gets to the tracks, and if there is a clear shot of the train from there. I figure no one will be there, and the picture will look cool, like the train is busting through the forest.”
Trying to sound as interested, Amy asked, “That sounds pretty cool. When do you think you might go?”
Ben answered, “Well, the weather this weekend looks kind of crappy, so I’m hoping one of these weekends it will clear up. Right now the forecast says next weekend is looking beautiful.”
Amy had to remind Ben, “Don’t forget, next weekend we have your family reunion.”
“Ahh, of course we do!” exclaimed Ben.
“Well, there’s plenty of time between now and when the train comes through. I’m sure I’ll get a chance one of these weekends,” commented Ben.
“I’m sure you will,” said Amy, looking at Ben hoping the conversation would change.
“Enough about the train. How was your day?” Ben asked, “It looked like you had a rough day.”
Amy proceeded to talk to Ben about the struggles she had, while Ben did his best to listen, but every now and then his mind would drift back to dreaming that the trail would be the best place to get the perfect picture of the train.