Loco Motive by Mary Daheim Page A

loaded last.”
    â€œWhere’s Willie?”
    â€œIn the accessible room to our left as we got on,” Renie replied.
    â€œHe needs it more than we do,” Judith said, feeling the train pick up speed after its snail’s pace through the tunnel. She looked out the window where the setting sun glinted off the bay. “I didn’t realize this route goes along the water.”
    Renie leaned forward as the attendant who’d been standing outside the sleeper knocked softly. “Hi,” she said. “When do we eat?”
    â€œCan you wait until the first sitting at five-thirty?” the attendant replied with a smile that revealed perfect white teeth. “I’m Roy Kingsley. We’ll announce when the dining car opens in about half an hour.”
    Judith smiled. “Hi, Roy. I’m Judith Flynn and that’s my cousin Serena Jones. Her nickname’s Renie. Will you be with us all the way to Boston?”
    â€œI’m afraid not,” Roy replied. “When you change trains in Chicago, you get a new crew. Don’t worry. Whoever takes my place will be just fine. Meanwhile, don’t hesitate to ask for anything. I see you have your bottled water and your snack basket. The newspaper will be at your door in the morning. I’ll make up your beds whenever you want. Coffee, hot water for tea, and orange juice are available by the stairwell after six a.m. if you need a jump start before breakfast. I’ll show you how to control the temperature, the sound, and the lights.”
    Judith paid close attention. Renie looked as if she was listening, but as a seasoned train traveler, Judith figured her cousin was enjoying the scenery as the train picked up more speed.
    When Roy had finished giving his instructions, Renie finally spoke up. “How about a six-thirty dinner call?”
    Roy smiled again. “That sounds just fine. Shall I put you down for the second sitting?”
    Renie nodded. “Sure. My cousin and I have to get tanked first so we can stagger to the dining car.”
    Roy cocked his head to one side. “My, my—I think you ladies will make this trip even livelier. I take it you’re a Wee Willie Weevil fan, too?”
    â€œAh…my son is,” Judith replied.
    â€œPoor man,” Roy said with a shake of his head. “A terrible thing happened to him. Some maniac pushed him out of a sixth-floor hotel window. He broke his leg and his arm. Only Willie could survive something like that at his age.”
    â€œUh…” Judith felt her face freeze. “Very resilient,” she said after a pause. “Will you be his attendant?”
    â€œYes,” Roy said, looking pleased. “Our conductor, Mr. Peterson, told me Mr. Weevil and his companions are heading for Wolf Point, Montana, to discuss events at the big rodeo held there every year.” He shook his head. “Maybe their plans changed since the accident. I’d hate to be the one who put him in such a sorry state.”
    â€œSome people enjoy mayhem,” Renie said, darting a venomous glance at her cousin. “They like the excitement of big fire engines and ambulances and police cars and medics arriving at their house.”
    Judith refrained from glaring back at her cousin. Instead, she changed the subject. “I understand Willie lives in Montana.”
    Roy nodded. “I know he’s originally from Montana—Butte, I think. Someone mentioned he has a home on Flathead Lake.”
    Judith nodded. “I haven’t followed his life and times. I assume the pretty red-haired woman is Mrs. Weevil.”
    Roy cleared his throat. “You never know these days. A young man is also accompanying Mr. Weevil.”
    â€œBy the way,” Renie interjected, “do you know our next-door neighbors’ names? Mrs. Friendly here may want to chat them up.”
    â€œThere are only two other bedrooms at this end of the train,” Roy said.