The Tracks

Shoofly

Jay insisted that he take her to as far as the gasoline station, to make sure that she was ok.

"Jay, the North is my town. I'm safe there. You're not."

"Is it wrong to be concerned about you? You're still nursing an injured foot, pedaling your bike isn't really good therapy."

"My foot is fine. There's slight pain when I walk but riding my bike is easier for me. Besides, it's beginning to get dark. If my brother sees you again..."

"So? I told you I can face him."

"Look, half of our town are all close relations with each other so news about what happened to me and you, a Southerner, bringing me across the tracks, has spread very easily. And believe me, they were more alarmed that you crossed the border than they were concerned about me being alive. I believe you can face my brother, Jay, sure, but facing half of the Northern population? Uh, I think not."

Dei picked up her bike and began walking away.

"Hey, Dei, come on. Just stop for a while. I just wanted to make sure you can make it back to your town."

"And I already told you I can. I've had enough people telling me what I can and cannot do. Don't be one of them, too, Jay. Please."

He went ahead of her and stopped her bike. She glared at him as he looked at her, with eyes pleading and showing off his dimple that she couldn't resist.

"I'm sorry, ok? I don't want to be on your bad side. Never."

"Then let my bike go."

"I will if you tell me that we're good."

"I'm going to run you over with my bike."

"Your bike will get dented and will just invite more interrogation from your brother."

"Move away."

"Are we good?"

She was no match to his strength so pushing her bike to run him over simply wasn't working. She looked up at him in frustration as a smirk formed on his lips, deepening his dimple. He knows how to work his dimple.

"Ugh! Why are you being too cute right now?!"

"Say what again? I'm cute?"

"I have to go now, Jay. Bye."

"I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

"Don't count on it."

"I'll be waiting for you here."

She continued walking as he let go of her bike. She was already a few meters away, and he was still calling out to her, for them to meet the following day. She turned around.

"And if I don't come back tomorrow?"

"Then expect me to go over to that gasoline station and ask that gasoline guy where you live, and I will wait for your brother and his minions again to show up and bully me, and since half of your town are close relations, you will soon learn about a Southern guy who bravely went across the border to look for the girl who was saved from getting hit by the train, so that you will have no choice but to come over to that gasoline station and see me."

He could'nt tell what she was thinking from that distance, but he was out of breath after his little speech. He waited for her to say something, and the next 30 seconds of her not saying anything like a lifetime. He was about to go after her when she spoke.

"Four in the afternoon. Tomorrow. And don't even try to follow me now."

***

Shoofly. Temporary track constructed to allow trains to pass around an obstacle that blocks movement on the main track. (Railroading Glossary. TRAINS Magazine)