Charlie's Story

CHARLIE'S STORY

Winnie Mah

Then, I saw a familiar face in the ticket line-up. That familiar crop of brown hair, and slender figure could only be that wretched Sally Harper.The last time I saw her was two years ago, and boy could she talk. There was no stopping her once she started, and she was the most unlady-like lady I had ever met. But with grandfather's birthday celebration still gnawing at my mind, I made a mad dash towards Sally. I was hoping to slip into the line-up with her so that I could buy the ticket I desperately needed.

"Sally!" I was panting for breath now. "No time to explain. I need to get in line with you so that I can get a ticket to Oshawa."

Sally Harper turned to stare at me, and gave me one of her most frightful stares ever. "Charlie! Whatever on earth are you doing! I haven't seen you in two years and here you are like always ordering me around. Well, I'm not letting you into this line for even one minute until I know what's got you so excited to make you yell at an old friend!" Sally demanded.

"The last train for Oshawa leaves in less than ten minutes and I need to get my ticket! I'll be missing my grandfather's 70th birthday if I don't get on, and everyone will be upset at me for missing it. It's supposed to be one hell of a bash. And I'm sorry for ordering you around, it's just that..." I stopped short to give her one of my most pathetic looks, "...well, it's just that I cannot miss the event. I also... well, my grandfather's old and I don't know how many more years he has left." I finished my dramatic performance with a well placed tear in my eye. Sally could not see, but I had used my left hand to pinch the side of my leg extremely hard to put that tear there. Sally, being Sally, she bought my story.

"Well why didn't you say so, Charlie! Of course you can get in line with me. Your poor grandfather, I hope he's not ill. I know how important grandfathers are. They're like a piece of family history, you know. My grandfather passed away some time ago, I'm sure you know. It was so hard saying goodbye. If I had known he were to go so soon and so suddenly I would have spent every Christmas, every birthday, well, every important day and event with me dear grandfather..."

"Uh, Sally," I interrupted her. We were only one person away from the ticket booth and I needed to know something. "You're not going to Oshawa either, are you?"

"Oh, no. I wish I could. We haven't seen each other in ages. If I went it would give us some catch-up time. Too bad I'm headed to Calgary."

"Oh, thank goodness!" I couldn't help but say. "Oh, I mean, here we are at the ticket counter. Thank goodness I'll be able to catch the train in time." I approached the ticket booth, with extreme anxiety. Sally was getting on my nerves and I absolutely needed to get on that train. Fortunately I was able to purchase my ticket on time. Fortunately Sally would not be on my train, but for some reason, Sally insisted that she see me off. The only way to get rid of her was to step onto the train.

"Oh, you have three minutes left before your train leaves. Why don't we stay out here for another two minutes. You know, to catch up," Sally insisted. "Well, aren't you going to ask me why I'm going to Calgary?"

Actually, I would have liked to just stare at the shine of my shoes than talk to her, but I felt the urge to be somewhat gentlemanly especially around a lady, although not much of a lady. "Ok. Why are you going to Calgary?"

Sally grinned baring all her crooked teeth. "I'm getting married there. Or I hope I will. You see..."

"Well." I interrupted her again as the train conductor yelled 'all aboard.' "I should get on the train now, you know to find my seat and all." I quickly stepped onto the train, and yelled from the platform. "Goodbye Sally! Good to see you again, and all!"

Sally tried to yell something back but her voice was drowned out by the noise of the train. I found my seat easily and was glad to find that there were only businessmen sitting nearby, and no old acquaintances to disturb the silence. When I looked out the window of my seat, Sally had burst into tears. She then suddenly ran back inside the ticket booth, and the next thing I saw, she was boarding this very train! What on earth was Sally doing? She had a wedding to go to, and I wanted my peace!! Red-eyed Sally took a seat next to me. Her voice was all choked up. I could not believe what she had to say next. It was the most absurd thing I had ever heard. But being a gentleman, I had to suppress my laughter. She said...

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