Misfits

Chapter 3

            The train had begun to slow a few miles out of the station. Dusk had collected her things when only twenty minutes remained until arrival. She stood close to the door, along with two other passengers and an attendant. The attendant was a young woman with black hair, while the two passengers were an old married couple, skin so wrinkled it looked like a two year old wearing a men’s XXXL sized shirt. They were holding hands. The old woman looked around at Dusk.

            “What brings you to Glenwood?” she asked in a cracked voice, smiling with obvious dentures up at Dusk.

            “Visiting my uncle for a while,” Dusk replied, speaking a little louder than usual. The old woman nodded.

            “You’ll like Glenwood,” the old woman said. “It’s our home, and it’s a good one,” Dusk smiled. The old lady seemed so sweet.

            “How long have you two been married?” Dusk pried. The old man turned to her.

            “Sixty five years, this December,” he said, smiling. “And a good sixty more to go,” he added, laughing to himself.

            “How old are you, dear?” asked the old woman to Dusk.

            “Seventeen,”

            “We were married when we were nineteen,” The old woman said.

            “I wouldn’t do it if I were you,” the old man interjected. “It’s all fun and games, but it’s a trap,” The old woman hit him on the arm, smiling. He laughed, then winked at Dusk.

            Finally, the train stopped with a small lurch backwards, and the attendant opened the door. Dusk waited for the elderly couple to shuffled off the train, ever so slowly, then she followed. The platform was painted cement, a red line all along the edge of it about two feet from the edge.

            “Enjoy your stay, dear,” said the old woman as her and her husband shuffled off. Dusk waved at them, then peered around, looking for her Uncle. There weren’t a lot of people on the platform, but after a moment she spotted him sitting on a bench, head back, eyes closed. She jogged over to him.

            “Uncle John?” he started, jerking awake.

            “I didn’t do it!” he said, looking around. Uncle John resembled Dusk’s father. He had a scruffy beard, but he had long hair, almost shoulder length. He wore a vest and a denim shirt. Seeing who had woken him, he smiled. “Oh, hello Dusk,” he stood up and hugged her.

            “How are you?” Dusk asked when they broke apart.

            “I’m doing pretty good,” he said, stretching. Sorry about that?” he added, nodding to the bench. “Been here since sunup,” he looked Dusk up and down. “You’re not the little girl I used to know,” he said. “Damn, you’ve gotten big. How are you holding up?” Dusk shrugged.

            “I’ll be okay,” She said half-heartedly. Uncle John nodded.

            “Come on, Trucks over here,” Dusk followed him off the platform. He lead her over to a missive white flatbed truck. Dusk could smell hay coming from the back. Uncle John went and opened the passenger side door, then closed it after Dusk climbed in. After a moment, Uncle John climbed in on the driver’s side.

            “Seat belts on,” he said, reaching over his shoulder. Dusk mimicked him. Pressing a button on the dash, the truck started, and they were off. They rode in silence for a while, Dusk staring out the window at the passing buildings.