"Going home?"
"Yes," I said. I thought it was better to say that.
In a way might be going home, I reasoned.
He stretched.
"Me too," he said. "Been on the road nearly a
month. I'm a salesman, wholesale shoes."
"That must be hard for you, being away from
your family so long."
"That it is. Nothing like going home. Of course,
all my children are grown, so there's just me and the
good woman. It's nice though. We have five
grandchildren," he added, smiling proudly.
I smiled back at him and then I thought, soon
Momma would have a grandchild, only she would
never be able to appreciate her grandchild the way this
man appreciates his grandchildren, for hers was
fathered by her new husband. The twisted and dark
world of Farthy would follow my baby forever, I
concluded. It was almost a reason not to have it. But maybe I could find another world, a world
very different from Farthy, and bring my child into
that world. If only I could, if only could, if only I
could. I chanted it like a prayer in rhythm with the
train's wheels. Then my stomach churned with
hunger.
"I guess I will get some breakfast," I said
standing. "I'll watch your doll for you," the gentleman
offered.
"Oh, no sir. She goes everywhere I do," I said.
"And besides, she's just as hungry."
He laughed and I went out to find the dining