Loco Motive by Mary Daheim Page B

“Next to you is a middle-aged couple named…” He made a face. “Kloppenburg. The end bedroom is for two passengers boarding at our midnight stop. The last name is Johnson or Johnston. Don’t forget to change your watches. We’ll be on Mountain Standard Time after midnight.”
    Judith shot Renie a prickly glance. “I’ll be in charge of that. My cousin has difficulty telling time. She’s always been…a little backward.”
    Roy looked sympathetic. “I see.” He smiled kindly at Renie. “We’ll take good care of her, won’t we, Mrs. Flynn?” He gave the cousins a casual salute before returning to the corridor.
    â€œGreat,” Renie said. “Roy thinks I’m an imbecile because you—”
    She stopped as Roy poked his head back inside the roomette. “I’m going to Mr. Weevil’s room in a few minutes,” he said. “Would you like his autograph?”
    â€œOh,” Judith responded, “that’s kind of you, but I’m not a collector.”
    Renie gave Roy a cockeyed smile. “I’d like his autograph.Could he sign it for ‘Teenie Weenie Renie and her not-so-mighty brain’?”
    â€œI’ll try,” Roy promised, and disappeared again.
    â€œI wish you hadn’t done that,” Judith said.
    â€œI wish you hadn’t told Roy that I’m an idiot,” Renie retorted.
    â€œOkay, we’re even.” Judith leaned forward to look through the window across the corridor. “We’re in the suburbs, but still by the water.” She checked her watch. “Drat. I forgot we’re not on daylight…never mind.”
    â€œAha!” Renie cried. “Admit it—you’re confused, too.”
    â€œNo, I’m not,” Judith insisted. “It’s dark earlier than I’m used to.”
    Renie smirked. “Right.”
    â€œI’m enjoying the sunset.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œThe last time I took this route was when we went to Canada.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œIt’s certainly more comfortable to go by train.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œStop it!” Judith shrieked. “You’re driving me nuts!”
    Renie put a finger to her lips and pointed to the sound system, which was turned to its lowest setting. “The bar’s open,” she said, standing up. “I’ll get our drinks. Do you need anything else?”
    Judith eyed the gift basket. “I see crackers and cheese. I’m good.”
    Renie left just as the train slowed for its first stop. The suburban station call was brief. Judith sat back and enjoyed the twilight scenery. Lights had been turned on in most of the buildings along the water’s edge. Across the sound she could see scattered homes, some clustered near the beach, others built among the trees on the sloping hills of the peninsula. Renie was right, she thought. Traveling by train was far more pleasant than coping with airports, being treated as a possible terrorist, and getting jammedinto a seat designed for midgets. It was quiet, too, with only the muted rhythm of rails on tracks. Renie had left their door open, but no one had come by or spoken since Roy went off on the rest of his rounds. Judith felt so relaxed that she started to nod off.
    â€œBar service,” Renie announced, returning with a cardboard container holding two plastic glasses, ice, water, two small bottles of their whiskeys, a can of 7UP, napkins, and plastic stirrers.
    â€œDid I wake you?” she asked, setting the container on the table between their chairs.
    Judith felt sheepish. “Almost. I should’ve opened the snack basket. I guess I’m already feeling liberated.”
    â€œI hope so,” Renie said, handing the basket to Judith. “You are.” Judith opened the Scotch. “How far away is the dining car?” Renie sat down. “Just beyond the other sleeper. The dome or