I said goodbye to my San Francisco friends at the Oakland Train Station and boarded the Amtrak to Denver. My plans were to stay overnight at the famous Brown Palace, tour Denver, and head out the next day for Chicago.
My trip out to San Francisco was by plane, but the train trip back was the leg I had really looked forward to. It was a chance to traverse the Rocky Mountains and enjoy scenery not possible by most other modes of travel.
The thought of getting laid on a train was the furthest thing from my mind. However, the movement of the train on the tracks, wine at dinner, and passengers sleeping all around me served as continual reminder
that I had not felt anyone in my arms for over a year. I became acutely aware of longing for a man.
The rumbling of the tracks beneath the wheels resounded throughout my entire body like a non-stop vibrator on low. Restless after hours of this I made my way up to the observation car to enjoy the stunning starlit night.
I wasn't alone for long. Immediately I struck up a conversation with a retired railroad employee who told me stories about Donner's Pass and how he and his wife came to live in a cabin between the Lake Tahoe and Reno. She was an artist and he liked to write. They both still loved to ride the rails and now they could do so almost for free.
Bill, another passenger in the dome was listening to our friendly chatter and offered to share his big bag of cashews. Another old railroader named Max joined us and bought everyone several rounds of drinks. This turned into a party and our spirits rose as the night went on.
Eventually the fun and laughter died down and the older couple said goodnight. Max passed out and that left Bill and me to discuss history and eventually the black sky and twinkling stars above us. He pointed to this star and that and often rested his hands on my shoulders longer than needed. I didn't try to move away and found myself touching him repeatedly as I animatedly talked with my hands.
I must have eventually fallen asleep from all the wine but soon woke up from Bill gently nudging me:
"The porter was just here and said we have to return to our seats"
He helped me down the narrow stairs back to my seat and placing a sweet kiss on my forehead said,
"See you in the morning for breakfast?"
"I would love that...."
Soon I drifted off and woke to see Bill working his way down the aisle with a blanket.
Reaching out to him I asked,
"Mind sharing that friend? I am so cold..."
Without a word he placed the blanket over both of us
and held me close as if I were precious. I kissed his
gentle hand and fell peacefully asleep cradled in his arms.
The sun woke me up early. He was gone but his blanket was tucked around me. I heard paper crinkle and looked to find a crumpled note in my hand that said:
"Meet me for breakfast at 8:00 AM Sleepy Head..."
We said our goodbyes in Denver and promised
to write. When he left I felt strangely empty inside. This is crazy I thought and took a taxi to the Brown Palace.
I freshened up in my room and caught the Grey Line Tour Bus to see the sights of Denver and the U.S. Mint. That night I ordered a spectacular dinner and a bottle of wine. I was determined to be good to myself.
There must have been a dozen violin players in red jackets serenading the customers. To my delight each man strolled by my table and played a romantic solo just for me. I was heaven and in no hurry for my food to arrive.
As the last musician wrung out "A Russian Lullaby" I was near tears and feeling my loneliness. The head waiter pretended not to notice as he approached me
with a bounce in his step. Smiling broadly he said:
"The gentleman behind you has requested the pleasure of your company for dinner. His train was cancelled due to an approaching snow storm. May he join you?"
My heart leaped out of my chest as I looked up
and saw Bill smiling. I couldn't contain myself. I ran to him and gave him a big hug:
"Of course you may join me - on one condition -
you promise to stick around for breakfast."
Dessert was outstanding and so was breakfast. It was a beautiful beginning of a long hot romance.
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Submitted by:
Babe
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