Don't Worry Alice

''Thank you Ma'am the bus will be coming in about five minuets you can take a seat on the wooden bench right behind you.''

''Thank you sir!'' I grabbed my ticket thanking the jolly stout man and sat on the bench, placing my suitcase right next to me.''

  I never thought I would be leaving Baltimore . Let alone out of the hospitals unit, crying in a language I couldn't understand but crying in universal no matter what language pain is pain. A cry is a cry. A pain is a pain. It is time for a change after tending to sick children all the time knowing they wouldn't make it through the end of the week. It was time for me to leave Baltimore. Cold, miserable , rainy Baltimore. I chose a sunny state to travel to you know just to experiment with. I decited on California it was sunny and full of up and coming movie stars. My mother always wanted me to move out there and try the acting life. She knew I will never meet a man working as a nurse. Mother was problay right it has to be at least somewhat better than Baltimore.

  ''Last call train 297!''

I leaped out of my seat reaching my arm under the bench grabbing my suitcase. The train doors were starting slowly starting to close so I was huffing and puffing in my Mary Janes which now that I think about it , it wasn't the best idea. I got close enough to the train that miracously I could shimmy my body in just as the doors shut.

  I felt a tap on my shoulder 

  ''Ma'am ticket please.''

I was fumbling looking into my skirt pockets, then to realise a crucial mistake I must have made. I must have left it on the bench. Thinking to myself. ''Kiss your California Dreams goodbye.''

  ''Oh honey it is so great to see you!''

A man in a dashing button down and slicked back black hair coming towards me. I never in my life have seen this man before, yet alone with a huge smile.

  ''Sir is she with you?''

''Oh yes, she is just brining in one of our child's suitcase.''

What on earth was this young man saying, he did look very young but old enough to have a child.

The ticket collector turned towards me saying I needed to ''run along''.

  The slicked backed hair guy came towards me.

''Jack. Jack Chambers nice to meet you.'' He stuck his hand out, I shook it.

''Oh Alice, just Alice.''

  His eyes sparkled whenever he would talk.

  ''Here let me take your suitcase off your hands.'' I beamed.

  ''Oh are you sure? You don't have to .'' I responded.

  ''Yes, yes Alice I insist. Now go sit in the third row.'' I complied.

I was suprised and astonished never once have I met this man before, yet he is acting like he has known me my whole life. I also noticed he had a sparking dazzlingly in his eyes that enchanted me. I followed his order and sat down where there was a martini glass with a ticket next to it with the name Jack Chambers written on it. There was more olives in the drink than actual gin.

  The new man came back sliding into his side of the booth.

  ''My apologizes for such an abrupt greeting I saw your ticket fluttering away in the wind and maybe deep down I secrelty wanted a travel companion.''

  What man I thought such a kind and generous man.

  ''What made you want to travel to California?'' He asked swirling his martini.

  ''I was a nurse taking care of sick children it was a very odd illness it was a brain eating amoeba going around trying to help the kids, it was sad seeing these kids all loony and not even know what is happening to them. I needed a break, a change of pace, my Mother wants me to try out a new career.''

  ''What about you Mr. Chambers?''

''You can call me Jack, and I do a bit of railroad work here and there, it is rewarding hard work I was thinking I could be a film maker.''

''Would you miss your family Alice?''

''Yes my family is a big part of me , they also enjoy my cooking.''

''What can you cook?''

''A roast and potato's.''

''Lovely, my favorite meal I could never cook well. My family would just up ending eating leftovers or a piece of coal.''

  When Jack said that, he had an off tone in his voice.

  'Mr. Chambers... I mean Jack, have you lived in Maryland or somewhere close there?''

  ''I was born in England. Then moved to New York, lived there for a while, the only reason why I was in Baltimore was to catch the train.''

I continued to nod