The Zephyr. 4.

The lights in the car dimmed and she reached for the tiny spotlight that was there for reading. Adjusting it and breathing a sigh of relief that it was adjustable, she continued jotting down odd thoughts and observations.

Suddenly her thoughts turned to why she was making the trip. She smiled at the thought of her family at the other end of the journey. It would be so good to hug them again. She closed the notebook and arranged her pillow. Out came her soft raincoat to use as a blanket, and she settled down. The ladies in the two seats in front of her continued talking. One directly in front of her, two rows up and also on the "left" of the aisle, was talking to another lady one row up from Caramel, but on the "right" of the aisle. They were comparing times on their watches, and the left lady stated "Two hours til the next stop." They then settled down as well, and all became quiet. Caramel dozed off in a contented drowse as the train settled into a rhythm that was vaguely comforting.