Chapter One:
The rails stretched miles ahead as the California Zephyr rumbled eastward. I secured my seat on the train a couple of months ago. I'm off to Denver to visit friends from my high school days. We reconnected via Facebook last year and made plans to reunite in the future. The future is now. I boarded the train in Emeryville California after driving up from my home in Pismo Beach. Sure, I could fly from SFO to Denver in a matter of two hours, but there is something more appealing about spending time traversing beautiful terrain out West.
Right now, the sights are spectacular outside. This stretch of track between Sacramento and Reno winds through the snow-covered Sierra. Mile after mile of tree lined hills and valleys keep my mind focused on nature at its best. I sit here switching between reading the latest James Patterson novel and taking in the sights beyond. A light snow is falling.
This is my home for the next thirty hours. I opted for the less expensive coach seat on the upper level, rather than a private berth. The seat reclines with a foot rest, so I should be able to catch a few ZZZ's along the way. Right now, I need to stretch my feet, so I make my way to the Observation car where the windows are supersized and extend overhead.
I walk through two railcars before joining other patrons in the Observation car. There are several high back swivel chairs to choose from. I select one near a table for my book and drink. With my feet propped up on the window seal, I sit back and enjoy the view. The large evergreens with branches weighed down by snow provide an endless picture of beauty. As the miles pass, I read chapter after chapter of my novel while I remain captivated by the scenery. Just as I turn another page, I hear a soft voice.
"Excuse me, is this seat taken?"
Looking up, I am met with a beautiful smile and sparkling blue eyes. This lady is tall and pretty with auburn hair. She is wearing a sweatshirt that reads
Grandmas Are Cool.
I surmise she must be the Grandma, although she looks much younger and fills out the sweatshirt quite nicely.
"No, no, not at all. Please sit. It's nice to share this incredible view with a fellow traveler."
"I see you are reading James Patterson. I love his Alex Cross collection, I have every book. In paperback, of course. Paperbacks are always easier to travel with."
I smile and lay my hardcover book on the table, wondering how I should respond. I opt for the gentleman's response and hold my hand out to greet this lovely, opinionated lady. She swivels her chair towards me and grabs my hand.
"Hi, I'm Rob. It's very nice to meet you."
"Likewise, my name is Karen."
I hold Karen's hand for a bit longer than is appropriate for meeting a stranger for the first time. Her grip soft and gentle and feels warm to my touch. Maybe I should get to know Karen, since we are traveling in the same direction.
"Well Karen, I do love reading Patterson's novels. They are easy reads with short chapters, and everyone has been a real page-turner. You can't put them down."
She smiles and seems to want to carry on this conversation. Lucky for me, because Karen is very beautiful; hair cut short; full, pouty lips and narrow hips. I'm betting she is very kissable. I try not to stare at her chest, but you know me, I love big boobs. Sitting this close to her, I can see they stretch her sweatshirt in the right direction.
"You're so right. When I pick up a Cross book, I usually must finish it within a couple of days. I'll spend long evenings curled up in bed, reading chapter after chapter."
I create a mental picture of her curled up in bed, with those long, willowy legs wrapped around me. Yeah, I know I shouldn't go there.
"Where are you headed, Karen?"
"I'm booked all the way to Chicago. My daughter and son-in-law live there and have a precious six-month-old girl, Ellie." She is a darling and this is the first time I will see her. Grandma is going to spoil her."
"I guessed you were a grandma when I saw your sweatshirt. How wonderful."
"Yes, what do you think? I found it on Amazon. I don't usually buy clothes on-line because you never know how they will fit. Will it be too tight, or too loose? But, I just had to have this. So, do you think it fits me OK?"
Karen throws her shoulders back and thrusts her chest in my direction. How am I supposed to keep a straight face when a sexy lady pushes her tits out in my direction? I take a quick glance up and down and then focus my stare into her gorgeous blue eyes. I can tell she is definitely well endowed.
"I think it's perfect Karen. Although, you look way too young to be a grandma."
Karen blushes a bit, "Oh stop that Rob. So, where are you headed today?"
"I'm off to Denver to stay with some friends for the next couple of weeks. They promise to show me a good time, since this is my first visit. I live in Pismo Beach and don't venture out of California all that much anymore. I used to travel quite a bit all around the West, but never made it to Denver."
"That sounds like fun. I love Pismo Beach. Do you go to Avila Beach, I hear it's a fun place?"
"Yep, I've been there many times. Are you traveling with someone today?"
"No, just myself. I lost my husband to a heart condition twenty years ago and never remarried. I raised my daughter as a single mom. I never had the urge to remarry, I guess I'm just too darn independent. How about you, Rob?"
"I'm traveling alone as well. I've been divorced for many years. As I said, I traveled often with my job and that led to our breakup. We just seemed to drift apart. I guess the last straw was a fling I had with a co-worker in Phoenix. We had traveled for over ten years together and spent more time with each other than we did with our spouses. I am sorry for the ending, but I feel good today and enjoy my life."
Karen and I continue to talk, trading stories and life history. Before we realize it, the train pulls into the Reno station just after 4:15 PM.
"Rob, I have a seven o'clock reservation in the dining car. I would love for you to join me for dinner. Please say yes."
"Thank you, I would love to join you. Shall we meet in the dining car?"
"Well, where are you sitting on the train?"
"I'm two cars back in the fifth row."
"What a nice coincidence, I'm in the same railcar, however, I have one of the sleepers at the end. It's a two-day trip to Chicago, so I want to get some restful sleep. Let's walk back together, I need a little nap before dinner. I'll come get you at 6:45 and we can make our way back to the Dining car."