From Rome to DeLand: A Coach Car Connection

I am writing about the connection I had with someone I met while on a fresh air/smoke break in Washington DC. I would later learn his name was David. It turns out David came from Albany, NY on a different train than the one I took from Rome, NY. I boarded my train at 7:45 AM with Albany being a stop around the 10 AM hour. He got on his train at around 7:00 AM after driving well over an hour to the train station. Interestingly, the Rome train station was closer to him in Cooperstown, but his ride preferred the roads to Albany. He arrived at Penn Station in NYC with a five hour layover. I only had a two hour layover. I could only imagine how it would have been if we had met twelve hours earlier.

I arrived at the Rome station on time thanks to my Uber driver Timothy. I learned Timothy served in the Army during the 1980s. The unmanned station was empty, but thankfully it was daylight because the inside was dark with plywood and metal bars created corridors. There were few signs, but somehow I found the tracks by way of the elevator. I took a video of my train arriving, and it appeared the engineer did two short blasts on the horn when I waved at him. I don't know if it is true, but that is the story I am going with if anyone asks. I was really just happy I made it to the station without delay.

My trip from Rome to New York City went pretty fast. I met Jason on the train—he was on his way to a friend’s wedding. He seemed nervous and uncertain about what to expect. I overheard him chatting with his sister and his seatmate. Like many, his family dynamic sounded dysfunctional. I gave him one of my cards because he sounded like he could use a friend. He already found my Twitch channel and followed. He got off the train in Poughkeepsie, NY. My seatmate, if I remember her name was Lynette, was quiet during the trip, but talked pleasantly when we were nearing New York City. She definitely helped me so I wouldn't feel so lost when we arrived at Penn Station - Moynihan Hall. Moynihan Hall at Penn station was beautiful, bright, and clean. After checking my suitcase, I decided to step outside. To my surprise, Madison Square Garden was directly across the street! I feel this really opens up so many possibilities for future entertainment and travel! I saw a Nathan's hotdog vendor and decided to buy some lunch and something for later on the train.. A New York hotdog, chicken tenders and fries. I sat on the Farley Post Office stairs to eat and soak up the sights and sounds of New York City. Time passed quickly and I was ready at the escalator when Track 13 was assigned.

I followed the crowd and was directed to the far end of the Silver Meteor number 97 train to Florida. Compared to other train attendants, Christopher was really intense. "Families and people traveling together board first," he would chant here in New York and at each stop. "Hurry up or you won't be able to sit together," he would snap at people just arriving to the open train car. When it was my turn to board, I headed towards the back of the car. David and I were in the same coach car, but he was sitting a few rows behind me on the other side of the aisle. Christopher made several passes through our car after leaving New York. It was like he was trying to memorize where each person sat and their destination station. I wouldn't know of David's existence until we stopped for a crew change in Washington DC. "We have about an hour folks," Christopher informed us as we got off the train.

I noticed David walking back and forth near the train car, waiting for the 'all aboard' from the conductor. I was doing the same. It was a long break and quite a few people came off the train just to smoke, stretch, or get something quick to eat. It was probably twenty minutes into the break when I asked David how he was doing and where he was going. He told me he was getting off the train at the Jacksonville station, but was headed to Panama City Beach, which was an additional 5 hour drive. We had only talked for a few minutes on the platform, but the connection was undeniable. I was really enjoying our conversation and the laughter! Suddenly, Christopher put the steps up on the train car and closed the door much to everyone's surprise! Christopher pointed to the opened door on the other coach car. Everyone started boarding thinking it was time to go. Once onboard, I heard someone mention we still had more than thirty minutes to wait. I went over to where David was sitting, and asked if he minded if I sat with him when it was time to leave. He agreed and we both went off the train again. I would learn that on a previous trip, David went to the vending machine in Florence SC, and the train pulled away without him! Not only did it delay his trip by a day, but the train station closed forcing him to walk around a strange town at night! He had to buy another ticket to get back to New York! We found Christopher, and I asked if I could switch seats. I would give up my window seat to sit with David. Christopher took his trusty pencil eraser and swapped my seat over. The stop lasted longer than expected due to a mechanical issue with one of the cars. David and I had a connection, and although I tried really hard not to give him my life history—it happened over time.

After an additional 30 minute delay, the train was moving down the tracks once again. I was now sitting with David, and our conversation was fun. He was several years younger than me, but I look and act several years younger than my age. Before too long, he was reading my post, "Who She Is: A Dating Profile" at my suggestion. I am not able to repeat what he said after he read it, but it made me smile. We cuddled, chatted, and tried to sleep, but things got a bit heated, at times. I resisted as much as I could, but in my defense, he was irresistible. I think God would still approve of my behavior.

When we arrived in Jacksonville, his ride was there waiting. With a quick hug goodbye, he said he would reach out through my blog. My stop was just over two hours away. During this time, I had a new seatmate. Her name was Farrah, a retired Dade County deputy who served her county for 32 years. She had been visiting her daughter and was headed home to South Florida. She also has a son, but he is in Maryland. She talked about having a close circle of friends and her church where she lived. I have looked into some churches in my area, but none have felt right for me, yet. Across the aisle was a lovely lady named Barbara Ann who lives not far from my Uncle and cousin in South Florida. She doesn't text or get on the computer, but I gave her my card because it has my home number on it. We talked a bit on the platform at the Jacksonville station, and Barbara was looking forward to a new seatmate, as her previous seatmate didn't say a word to her until she was at her station! Barbara was sitting with Skylar. I overheard Skylar talking about girls who are clearly neurodivergent not being diagnosed with Autism, but just called quirky. I interrupted their conversation and gave him my blog card. Skylar said he had Autism, and I think he could really contribute to this blog. When the train arrived in DeLand, I called for an Uber, and met Gladys. She is in school and is pursuing a degree in addiction counseling. In addition to Uber, she has her own transportation service. We exchanged numbers, and I gave her a blog card and a hug when we arrived at my house.

I hope they will all visit my blog, and maybe even write a post or two. I am realizing that many people text, but the number on my card is not a mobile number, so text will not go through! I don't know if David will actually call, but I will look forward to it. If he doesn't call, I will still have the memory of a wonderful ending to an amazing train trip. This truly was the trip of a lifetime. Psalm 37:23-24

"The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."