tendril
Do not exceed stated dose
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2003
- Posts
- 4,420
OCC: This thread is for tendril and PhoenixPrime01 to share a trip together.
IC:
I sat on the narrow bed and surveyed the room, I was on the train at last .Of course it was small but it felt so secure and comfortable. I leaned back and closed my eyes, I had been looking forward to this part of my trip for so long.
I'd mentally flagged this part of my travels through the US as my little indulgence. Everyone back in Australia had thought I was mad to waste time travelling by rail but I had always loved train travel and had been determined to spend at least some part of my journey that way.
I was at last in my compartment, moments before Amtrak was due to transport me on one of the final legs of my 3 week trip, an overnight journey from New York to Tampa, Florida.
I would meet my father's cousin there, before flying on to London for the final week of my sojourn. I'd planned this trip carefully, for so long now. This train was to be my home for the next 24 hours.
I felt like a kid again as I sat back on the bed, eyes closed. Talk about the Big Apple! Penn Station was something else!
With mounting excitement, I was aware of the faint hum and vibration of the locomotive as suddenly, I realized we were underway.
Immediately, I moved to the window and watched the buildings move by as we began to pull out of the station. Wanting to get my bearings, I decided to take a brief tour of the carriages.
I quickly freshened up, checked the results in the mirror and opened the door into the passageway. I stopped to lock the door, then with the key safely in my bag, I set forth.
With a jolt, I realized I had taken a step back and collided with someone. A firm hand gripped my elbow and another in the small of my back.
"I'm sorry, I just didn't see you", I gasped and turned to look straight into the most amazing dark eyes.
"Obviously not", a smile creased his face as he added," My toes are witness".
I felt a little flustered as I was quite quickly aware of his physical closeness in this narrow passage.
"You're not American?"
"No, I'm Australian, I'm from Melbourne".
He smiled again," Travelling alone?"
"Well, yes, on this part I am". Oh, why did I tell him that? I'm usually more circumspect.
"I assume you are going all the way to Tampa? he asked with interest.
"Yes, I'm visiting relations there," I replied.
"Oh, right, well I live in Tampa, I'm on my way home. Its a fabulous place, so much to see" he said keenly.
"Well, I'm hoping to see all the sights while I am there."
"Well, why don't you join me for lunch? I can tell you what you must see while you are there.What say I call back here for you about 1pm". His manner charmed me.
He had an air of such quiet confidence about him, the invitation to lunch was more of a statement, hardly requiring me to reply, "Thank you, I'd like that , see you then".
He nodded his head, smiled, and then he turned and continued along the carriage.
I realized as he disappeared through the doorway at the end of carriage, that he'd had his hands on me the whole time we had spoken. I could still feel the grip and the warmth of his touch.
I realized my heart was beating a little faster too.
"Wow!, get a grip, Claire", I chided myself silently.
"You're a woman in your 40's with a perfectly good husband and 3 grown children".
I smiled to myself and made a mental note to be ready, back here at 1pm, maybe even wear something a little more...... well, just a little more.....
I set off to explore the train.
IC:
I sat on the narrow bed and surveyed the room, I was on the train at last .Of course it was small but it felt so secure and comfortable. I leaned back and closed my eyes, I had been looking forward to this part of my trip for so long.
I'd mentally flagged this part of my travels through the US as my little indulgence. Everyone back in Australia had thought I was mad to waste time travelling by rail but I had always loved train travel and had been determined to spend at least some part of my journey that way.
I was at last in my compartment, moments before Amtrak was due to transport me on one of the final legs of my 3 week trip, an overnight journey from New York to Tampa, Florida.
I would meet my father's cousin there, before flying on to London for the final week of my sojourn. I'd planned this trip carefully, for so long now. This train was to be my home for the next 24 hours.
I felt like a kid again as I sat back on the bed, eyes closed. Talk about the Big Apple! Penn Station was something else!
With mounting excitement, I was aware of the faint hum and vibration of the locomotive as suddenly, I realized we were underway.
Immediately, I moved to the window and watched the buildings move by as we began to pull out of the station. Wanting to get my bearings, I decided to take a brief tour of the carriages.
I quickly freshened up, checked the results in the mirror and opened the door into the passageway. I stopped to lock the door, then with the key safely in my bag, I set forth.
With a jolt, I realized I had taken a step back and collided with someone. A firm hand gripped my elbow and another in the small of my back.
"I'm sorry, I just didn't see you", I gasped and turned to look straight into the most amazing dark eyes.
"Obviously not", a smile creased his face as he added," My toes are witness".
I felt a little flustered as I was quite quickly aware of his physical closeness in this narrow passage.
"You're not American?"
"No, I'm Australian, I'm from Melbourne".
He smiled again," Travelling alone?"
"Well, yes, on this part I am". Oh, why did I tell him that? I'm usually more circumspect.
"I assume you are going all the way to Tampa? he asked with interest.
"Yes, I'm visiting relations there," I replied.
"Oh, right, well I live in Tampa, I'm on my way home. Its a fabulous place, so much to see" he said keenly.
"Well, I'm hoping to see all the sights while I am there."
"Well, why don't you join me for lunch? I can tell you what you must see while you are there.What say I call back here for you about 1pm". His manner charmed me.
He had an air of such quiet confidence about him, the invitation to lunch was more of a statement, hardly requiring me to reply, "Thank you, I'd like that , see you then".
He nodded his head, smiled, and then he turned and continued along the carriage.
I realized as he disappeared through the doorway at the end of carriage, that he'd had his hands on me the whole time we had spoken. I could still feel the grip and the warmth of his touch.
I realized my heart was beating a little faster too.
"Wow!, get a grip, Claire", I chided myself silently.
"You're a woman in your 40's with a perfectly good husband and 3 grown children".
I smiled to myself and made a mental note to be ready, back here at 1pm, maybe even wear something a little more...... well, just a little more.....
I set off to explore the train.