Runaways

“We have two sleeper reservations in coach number two,” Momma said. The man hurried to move our bags over to a little cart, and then he turned and asked Momma, “What’s your destination?”

“Oklahoma City.”

Runaways is part of the Richard, the Paperboy series. Richard and John Clayton turn fourteen in New Orleans---on Bourbon Street!

.....Heck, just hearing Momma say that nearly sent me over the edge again, but I took a deep breath and tried not to be upset. A whistle broke into my thoughts as the Rocket approached the station. Yeah, me and Momma had ridden the Rocket when I was 10 on a trip to see grandmother, who lives in Wetumpka, but this was different. As the big, red engine pulled into the station, the excitement at seeing the Rocket was replaced by the dread of leaving the only life I knew. And then the conductor yelled out: “All aboard the Rock Island Rocket! Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Oklahoma City and all stations in between! All aboard!”

“Come on, Richard; I’ll be right behind you. Just turn left and look for seats 1-A and 1-B. We’ll sit there until they make up our sleepers at eight o’clock.”

Momma gave me a little shove, and I started up the steps into the coach car. I made it to the top step, and then I stopped. I couldn’t make myself go another inch. I heard Momma say, “Richard, go on into the car and find our seats.” But I still didn’t move. Momma started pushing me, and then I looked up and there stood the conductor.

“Son, there’s nothing to be afraid of. The Rocket is the safest passenger train on tracks.”

I still didn’t move, but with Momma pushing and the conductor pulling, I made it into the coach car.

“Richard, find 1-A and 1-B,” Momma said, trying to calm me down and give me something to do. I slowly walked down the aisle, and right at the end of the coach, I found our seats. I plopped down and stuck my nose to the window trying to take in as much of South Arkansas as I could before I left it.

“Richard, I know you’re upset, but remember all those nights that your Daddy came in drunk and upset everybody so much? Just think about not having to worry about that ever again. You can sleep sound knowing you won’t have to get up and try to calm down your father. And you’ll make so many new friends.”

“But Momma, I already have friends! And I’m leaving Sniffer…” Momma put her arm around me and tried to calm me. About that time, I heard the conductor blow a whistle and the train gave a jerk.

“Momma, I think I’m gonna be sick. I need to go to the restroom.”

“Okay, Richard, it’s at the back of the car.”

I got up, walked the length of the car, and…passed the restroom. I looked back, and Momma was reading a newspaper. Bye Momma, crossed my mind as I turned to the exit door and hopped off the slow-moving train.