The tracks seem so lonely at night, that’s one of the things he likes about coming here – the solitude. Most kids his age would rather hang out with their friends, or go to a party. But not him, he likes the quiet of the night and the silence of the tracks. He’s been coming here as often as he can since he was knee high to a grasshopper, that’s what his gramps says. His grandfather is the only one who knows about his late night forays to the station. It’s their secret, has been for the better part of fourteen years. Yeah, it’s lonely out here at night, but that’s alright with him.
He walks the fifty yards or so down the tracks to the last lamp post past the junction and sits down, sketch book in hand. One day, after he becomes famous, he’s going to come back here and draw that lamp post, and the view back to the station – well, the shack that holds the automatic ticket dispenser and bench that everyone calls a station. But for tonight, his last night before going off to college, he’ll sit and draw like he’s done every other night. Once his pencil starts moving, his hand will know what to do.
Looking down at what he’s sketched, he thinks to himself, not too bad. He’s happy, but stiff and sore. He needs to get home and catch a cat nap before helping his mom set up for the going away party she’s planning for him. Stretching to his feet, he relishes the smell of the predawn musk that hangs in the air – there’s nothing like it, and he knows he’ll miss it when he’s away. Collecting his knapsack, still looking down at the drawing, he starts heading back to the junction.
(part one of two… tomorrow, ‘D’, will be part two)
© Copyright 2014 Nina D’Arcangela. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome to my April AtoZ Blog Challenge post! I hope you enjoyed my ramble, and come back for more! Don’t forget to visit the other bloggers participating by clicking on the badge to the right, or simply using this link. :}
Nina D'Arcangela
Sotet Angyal 
April 3rd, 2014 at 9:55 am
Hmmm, where is this going…?
Excellent start so far. And I have really enjoyed your change of ‘voice’ since the onset of the A to Z challenge!
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April 3rd, 2014 at 12:00 pm
I’m sure it’ll have a happy ending… wait, this is my blog! lol Thanks, Joe – my ‘voice’ is going to twist in the wind over the next 23 posts. Much like last year, I’ll be all over the place. 😉
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April 3rd, 2014 at 10:01 am
Ah…and intriguing beginning.
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April 3rd, 2014 at 12:12 pm
Thank you! I love to visit the desolate tracks at night – I lived next to them for close to eighteen years. They have a persona all their own in the dark that you can’t feel or see in the daylight. It’s comforting and quieting for the soul.
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April 3rd, 2014 at 12:02 pm
I found this haunting — and him leaving is sad.
by the way – my vampire comedian is doing his stand up today 😀
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April 3rd, 2014 at 12:15 pm
Hi Sue! It is sad; the tracks are a sad place at night, and he is sad to leave them for a final time. He intends to come back, but how many of us don’t let life sweep us away once we take that first baby-step away from home. I’ll be visiting your blog next – you’re on my every day list! 😉
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April 3rd, 2014 at 2:17 pm
Visiting on day 3 of the #atozchallenge with all my fellow writers. I appreciate all the hard work it takes to participate. I hope you make many new blogging friends.
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April 3rd, 2014 at 3:57 pm
Thank you for stopping by, Stepheny! All the best to you with the #AtoZChallenge – and I hope you you make many new friends as well. 🙂
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April 3rd, 2014 at 4:49 pm
Haunted or inspired. Not that easy to draw from “nothing.”
Nice start Nina
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April 3rd, 2014 at 5:10 pm
Thank you… I’m eager to tell the ending, but am trying not to let the ‘cat’ out of the bag. 🙂
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April 4th, 2014 at 9:38 pm
Very good start Nina but I have to say I don’t see a happen ending in this…
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April 8th, 2014 at 3:28 pm
Yeah… no big surprise there, it is still me – lol Though Hunter has dared me to do a RomCom, that might just show up here on AtoZ.
Thank you, Julie! 😀
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