Small Town Boy

Chapter 4

"I'm going to the train station, are you coming?" Parker shouted. It was only Thursday, but the legislature had recessed early, as Parker called it, and Mom and Dad had managed to get on the train from Denver in the morning. They could have driven, but Dad said it was easier to have one car in Denver and one here. Although in reality that meant there was one in Denver and two here, in addition to Parker's car, and Sofia's car, which she only uses when she's home from college.

"Sure," I shouted back. I found a clean-looking jacket, threw on some shoes, and ran outside to Parker's car. He emerged moments later and unlocked the car, sliding into the driver's seat.

A few minutes later we were parked, before walking over to the old red brick building and then onto the platform. 

"When's it due in?" I asked. 

Parker checked the time, "No idea, Mom just texted earlier to say it was late and she thought it would arrive now. hence why they were able to catch it, and we are out of school and can pick them up." He replied. 

There were a few people on the platform, most with suitcases, although there were a few others who were probably here to pick people up. There was one lady who kept looking at us. She probably recognized Parker or me for something to do with Dad. 

Fortunately, the train wasn't, and right on time, the sloped front of the Amtrak locomotive led the train onto the platform. It was a fitting scene, a long grey snake moving slowly through the station on a grey afternoon. The train lurched to a stop and the doors were opened. I looked up and down the platform, my eyes resting when I saw my mother stepping out of the carriage with her suitcase, followed shortly after by my father. He turned around to say something to the attendant before sweeping his eyes until he saw Parker and me. They walked over to us, and Mom let go of her suitcase, coming over to hug me. I squirmed in her embrace.

"I've missed you so much." She cried. 

"I've missed you too, Mom," I said, hugging her for a few seconds before escaping her grasp. 

She hugged Parker as well, albeit the hug was shorter than mine. Dad gave me a small one while Parker got a nod and some words of acknowledgment. 

Our small reunion was interrupted by a whistle, shortly followed by the bellow of the train's horn, which echoed across the valley. The train crept out from the station, slowly gathering speed. A minute later it was gone, continuing on its long journey towards San Francisco. 

"Where's the car?" Dad asked. 

"Just up the street," Parker replied curtly. Dad nodded approvingly. 

"Let's get home." Mom smiled. "I'm tired." 

I wasn't sure how she could be tired, given she'd spent all day on a train. Dad and she always took the train, saying they were too old to spend a few hours on the bus, even though it was faster. She didn't even need to travel with Dad, but given most of her work could be done remotely, she did anyway. Before Dad was elected to the legislature, they'd both been into real estate, buying houses in the surrounding area, and renting them out. At one point, they owned a small resort in one of the neighboring towns, but that had been sold, and now Mom's job mainly consisted of managing the remaining properties. 

That night, Mom cooked dinner, a simple mac and cheese, and set it on the table. It was the first meal in almost two weeks we'd had together. Mom and Dad sat opposite each other, as did Parker and I. It was a more formal affair than when it was just Parker and I. Mom said grace while I watched Parker try not to laugh, earning a scolding glare from Dad, and then we tucked in. 

"So I've got two extra days of campaigning," Dad announced. 

"Congratulations. Do you want a prize?" Parker responded sarcastically. Dad ignored him.