The Christmas Train Read Free Page B

way.
    At last. She sank into the seat, permitting herself her first real sigh of relief. At last she was on her way home.
    â€œThis is my first time on a train,” the little girl said from beside her. “Is it your first time, too?”
    â€œ Nein . No.” Eva sat up taller in her seat, conscious suddenly of her bag, heavy on her lap, and her coat, too warm for the overheated train car. She half lifted, half slid her bag to the floor between her feet and the child’s, and then unwound her woven-wool scarf.
    The girl watched her with large, serious eyes that seemed to take in everything. “Can I help you with your coat?”
    It was on Eva’s lips to say no, that she was perfectly capable of removing her own coat. Except that she didn’t feel capable. She felt far too weary to do it alone.
    â€œThank you. That would be nice.” Eva managed a smile as she unfastened the toggles one by one. Then she grasped the seat in front of her and hauled herself up, swaying with the gathering speed of the train. The girl tugged Eva’s right arm free, then knelt on the seat to free her left arm. Eva collapsed onto the seat, the coat on her lap, until she caught her breath and could start folding it. “Thank you,” she repeated.
    â€œYou’re welcome.” The girl’s stare held steady. “I have to use the bathroom.”
    â€œThe bathroom? I don’t know . . .”
    â€œIt’s just up there.” The child pointed. “See the sign? Don’t worry, I’ll be right back.”
    Eva watched carefully as the child made her way to the bathroom. She skipped as she went. As serious as she seemed to be, the girl nonetheless skipped and hopped her way down the aisle as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Didn’t she know about the war? The planes that had crashed into those buildings?
    Keeping her eyes on the bathroom door, Eva removed an old embroidered handkerchief from her skirt pocket and dabbed at her eyes. So many deaths. So much suffering. No child should ever know about such things. So if Anna’s mother had chosen not to tell the girl about the war, it was not for Eva to do otherwise. She had only to make sure the girl got off at the right station where her father would be waiting. There were only four stops with one transfer, according to her ticket.
    Her heart began to race. Where had she put her ticket? She needed her ticket!
    Panicking, she fumbled in her purse. “Gott in Himmel,” she prayed as she dug though every pocket. Where was it? Where?
    â€œIs this child with you?”
    Eva gasped at the stern voice. A big man in a severe black uniform towered over her, one large hand gripping a little girl’s shoulder. A terrified little girl. For a moment Eva couldn’t respond. Her heart thundered and she struggled to catch her breath. What was the right answer? Which answer would get her into trouble? She didn’t want any attention from the military police. All she wanted was to get home.
    Clutching her handbag against her chest, she pressed her trembling lips together. The man was so tall, so obviously in charge. But the child . . . The child stared at her with huge blue eyes.
    â€œ Ja , she is with me,” Eva blurted out.
    His eyes bored into hers, and Eva feared he did not believe her. Then his fingers unwound from the girl’s shoulder and like a timid rabbit the girl lunged past Eva and into the window seat.
    â€œWell, keep a close eye on her. She shouldn’t be wandering around.” Then he strode off toward the back of the train car.
    Eva’s shoulders sagged in relief. He believed her! Pressing a hand to her chest, she coughed three times, until the irregular thump of her heart returned to normal. Beside her, the little girl knelt on the seat, staring at the man’s retreating back. “That man wasn’t very nice.”
    Eva shook her head. “Most soldiers are mean.