Brian Nowak sat in the cavernous waiting room in Amtrak's Chicago station thinking warmly of his grandfather, Stanley Nowak. As a young man "Grandpa Stan" had worked as a conductor during the heyday of the passenger railroads. He held his young grandson on his knee for hours reveling in stories of those long-lost days. But Brian, now 38, was born too late to taste the romance and adventure of long-distance train travel. In fact, he had never been on anything other than a stodgy commuter train.
But that was until today. In just 25 minutes in fact. For Brian was about to board Amtrak's Southwest Chief, which would take him on a two-day, two-night trip to LA, to attend his boss' daughter's wedding. And, in honor of Grandpa Stan, and given that this was probably the only passenger train trip that he would ever take, Brian had decided to go in style. Though traveling alone he had booked one of the Superliner Bedrooms, complete with its own shower and toilet.
As the images of Grandpa Stan began to fade, others emerged. These were not so pleasant. Three years ago Brian had spent joyous days planning a sight-seeing passenger train trip with his wife, Laurie. That was just before he accidentally found a pair of another man's boxer shorts in his underwear drawer. It took no more than three months for the childless couple to divorce. Since then Brian had had no significant romantic relationships, and had had only a handful of dates. Except for two one-night stands that Brian had orchestrated soon after the marriage break-up - no doubt, he realized, as idiotic attempts to prove himself - he hadn't had sex since his divorce. So, what would have once been a romantic, vacation on the rails with his wife, he was taking the trip alone.
Notwithstanding a bit of melancholy Brian was feeling OK. He had no particular expectations for this trip, but it did feel like an adventure. And, wouldn't Grandpa Stan be proud!
But that was until today. In just 25 minutes in fact. For Brian was about to board Amtrak's Southwest Chief, which would take him on a two-day, two-night trip to LA, to attend his boss' daughter's wedding. And, in honor of Grandpa Stan, and given that this was probably the only passenger train trip that he would ever take, Brian had decided to go in style. Though traveling alone he had booked one of the Superliner Bedrooms, complete with its own shower and toilet.
As the images of Grandpa Stan began to fade, others emerged. These were not so pleasant. Three years ago Brian had spent joyous days planning a sight-seeing passenger train trip with his wife, Laurie. That was just before he accidentally found a pair of another man's boxer shorts in his underwear drawer. It took no more than three months for the childless couple to divorce. Since then Brian had had no significant romantic relationships, and had had only a handful of dates. Except for two one-night stands that Brian had orchestrated soon after the marriage break-up - no doubt, he realized, as idiotic attempts to prove himself - he hadn't had sex since his divorce. So, what would have once been a romantic, vacation on the rails with his wife, he was taking the trip alone.
Notwithstanding a bit of melancholy Brian was feeling OK. He had no particular expectations for this trip, but it did feel like an adventure. And, wouldn't Grandpa Stan be proud!
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