I finished eating just as the train began to slow, left a tip for the wonderful waitress, and ran back to my room to grab my stuff. Phone, wallet, and an empty bladder later I was ready for anadventure. As I hopped off, the porter told me we had an hour, something about making a quick supply run.
As soon as I opened the doors to the train shop I stilled, taking it all in. “I’ve died and gone to train heaven.”
A young girl passing by giggled. “Mommy’s getting me a Thomas stuffy. I like your unicorn costume.”
“Thank you, I think I’m gonna get a Thomas stuffy too.” She smiled and waved, heading toward the woman waving at her. Hopefully it was her mother. I watched and waited until the girl took the lady’s hand and started chatting away. One just never knew and I’d always help anyone in need.
I did a quick once around the shop, aligning my wants versus what I truly desired. So much for having a Daddy to spoil me.None of that, Payden, spoil yourself for once.I did live frugally, tucking away as much as I could into savings. One of each item in the store wasn’t in the budget, nor was it wise, but there were so many great toys to choose from. Splurge I deserved and splurge I would.
The Thomas the Train display was my first stop after the initial loop around the store. Almost picking one of each, Thomas needed friends after all, I forced myself to choose one stuffy and Thomas won along with a Thomas the Tank Engine playset. Next, a Conductor hat. Can’t play trains without a conductor and it would go perfectly with my train onesie.
“Now for a whistle.” Spotted those by the register so I’ll grab one at check out. Found cute mugs for Mom and Dad too. They’ll love these for their morning coffee. “Ooohhh they have Polar Express mugs. This will be perfect for hot cocoa nights.” Somehow I managed to get it all to the register without dropping or breaking anything.
“What a wonderful selection of goodies you’ve got,” the nice gentleman behind the counter said. “Let me wrap these mugs so they don’t get broken. Is that your train outside?”
“It is. It’s my first train ride.” The excitement I felt packing for the trip returned.
“I hope you’re enjoying yourself.” He rang it all up and put it in special bags with handles for me. “Have a wonderful day, sir.”
“Thank you, you too.” I couldn’t wait to get back to my room and play. My unicorn Sassy Pants and Princess, a pink pony stuffy, will be so excited to meet their new friend Thomas. I can set my trains up on the bottom bunk, I only used it as a couch anyways and still sleep on the top one like I did last night. I had it all worked out, then tonight, I’ll venture out to the party cars and see what’s happening.
There, I had it all planned out.
Bags in hand, I skipped along toward the train and heard the most wonderful voice singing a familiar tune. I wanted to see who it was, but this stuff was getting heavy. I hopped aboard and dropped my bags off, hoping with as much as this trip cost that there weren’t any thieves on board since the doors didn’t lock from the outside. That voice was like the fabled siren, its song calling me to it and I couldn’t figure out why.
“Mr. Porter, please don’t leave me. I want to see who’s singing over there.”
“We’ll do our best, but I did just find out our delivery is running a bit late. If it shows up and you’re not back I’ll come and get you,” he winked. Gosh, so far this was turning out to be a wonderful trip. Hopefully everyone tonight was equally as nice.
As I rounded the corner my feet stilled, and there I stood frozen in place. The man singing was just as beautiful as his voice was.
Melodic, rich and packed with raw power and emotion, the depth of his range rattled me. Like deep inside, soul deep. Every note, each word he sung, the pain reflected in his face, though he never stumbled over any of the songs. How’d he do that? Singing the pain away? Had he already cried as I did last night? Too badI can’t sing, maybe that was just the healing I needed. Though a bit of shopping therapy had helped today.
I wasn’t a fool though, the pain would hit again once I was alone. Putting on a brave face in front of others was easy. Or so I thought, until I saw this gorgeous man’s face, a direct reflection of the pain he held inside.
The closer I inched toward him, the stronger the pull became. I could listen to this man sing for hours. Don’t get me wrong, I loved me some Tay-Tay and don’t even get me started on the Goddess Lady Gaga. His music wasn’t one I was normally drawn to nor really had ever heard much of.
His long locks hid the side of his face closest to me. I pulled some cash from my wallet, slowly creeping toward his guitar case to drop it in. As the song came to a close, he opened his eyes.
“You’re gorgeous,” came out. I slapped a hand over my mouth. “S-sorry, that was rude of me.”
He smiled, a brilliant smile at that. “Thank you, you’re pretty cute yourself, little unicorn.”
Goddess above, I was so embarrassed. I’d forgotten I was still in costume. “Oh, um, thanks.” I dropped the money into his case. “You have an amazing voice.” But why was he singing here? This man should be on stage, sharing his gift with the world.
“Thank you,” he grinned and holy hell, my knees almost gave out. “For the tip and the compliment. I’m Stone.”
“Payden,” I gave a ridiculous wave.Gah, get it together Pay.“Do you always play here?”
“Nope,” Stone started fiddling with his guitar strap. “Sometimes in the park and a couple other places around town.”
“Do you live nearby?”WTH Payden, you never ask these questions. New me, I guess…
Stone smirked. “You could say that.”
Why did something feel off and why was I so dead set on not leaving him here. Mom would smack me upside the head forwhat I was about to do. Heck, maybe I should smack my own head, but my little was screaming to play with him, and my heart was screamingdon’t walk away. My brain, well it was all for the smacking part of this internal diatribe.
How do you ask someone if they’re gay? Homophobic? Was he even single?
