Almost home

The sun had gone down, though the two adults barely noticed. Their train, greatly delayed, wouldn’t reach its final stop until early the next day. Still, Mandy listened in awe as Mr. Jones Hamburg recounted tales of some of his most memorable cases.

She could hardly believe it—the legend himself, sitting just across from her, in the same train, the same cabin, heading to the same place.

Could this be fate? she wondered.

She remembered the letters her younger brother used to send, always filled with stories about Mr. Jones. A huge fan, that one.

She couldn’t help but imagine his reaction upon meeting the man himself—fainting mid-handshake, or maybe stuttering so much he’d bite his tongue.

The image made her giggle.

She covered her mouth quickly, realizing Jones had noticed.

Awkwardly, she glanced away, her face tinged pink. How many more embarrassing moments would she rack up in front of him?

“I’m so sorry,” she muttered.

“Let me guess,” he said, a knowing smirk playing on his lips as he rested his chin atop his cane. “You went down childhood memory lane again, huh?”

“You guessed it,” she said with an awkward laugh. “I really miss them. The closer the train gets to home, the faster my heart races. I just can’t help it.” Her gaze wandered to the window, her eyes glistening softly in the moonlight.

It had been 23 hours since she boarded, and so much had happened. Sleep refused to come—perhaps because of her unplanned nap earlier… or maybe because she was sharing a cabin with the legendary Mr. Jones himself.

With a quiet chuckle, Mr. Jones tilted his head and looked out the window too.

“Yeah… I can relate. That feeling of returning after a long while—it’s exciting, and a little nerve-wracking. Brings back memories. I remember when my mother used to drop me off at my uncle’s place during the holidays. Every time she came to pick me up, I’d jump in joy and press my face to the cab window all the way home.” He paused. “It’s been a while since I felt that way… I must say, I envy your childishness.”

Mandy turned from the window, her eyes full of admiration. She had never considered herself a huge fan of his per se, but she had always admired his work.

And now, seeing this side of him was, fascinating…

She opened her mouth to speak, but he gently cut in.

“Well, I think we’ve chatted enough for tonight. Let’s get some sleep and prepare for tomorrow, Miss. So… goodnight, I suppose.”

With that, he leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes and slowly drifting into slumber.

Mandy watched him for a moment, then whispered a quiet “Goodnight,” before tucking herself in too.

Sleep didn’t come to her right away. She gazed out the window, watching the world go by—the hills, the distant homes, the gentle flutter of autumn leaves.

The trees wore shades of gold and amber, deepening her love for the fall season. The rhythmic hum of the train on the tracks, paired with the faint chill that brushed her skin, and the especially loud honks of the train, offered an odd sense of comfort.

Eventually, her eyes closed. And with a small, unknowing smile, Mandy fell asleep.

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