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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3674530" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-eighty-two, “The Train to Albany“, Friday, June 16th, 10:45 A.M. Richard comes back down stairs and says to Ruby, "Jane will be continuing on with us. She says that Aphrodite wishes for you to be trained and that is her primary mission regardless of whatever it is that has come between the two of you." Ruby nods. “I hope nothing has come between us, whatever that may be is up to Jane.” Ruby chats casually with her grandmother until it is time to leave. James and Richard work to arrange the contents of the truck into the various suitcases, hidden between and beneath things so that if anybody were to open the cases the documents would not be immediately noticed. A carriage pulls out front, one more ornate than those they had ridden in before. James says, "I've asked a friend to take us to the Depot. Given what has transpired I thought that safer." Ruby replies, "That seems very wise. And I'm glad you're escorting us." Ruby climbs into the carriage, taking a seat by the window. As they enter the carriage and James introduces Ruby to a man seated inside, Timothy Powers, Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Police Department. She offers her hand, "Very nice to meet you Sir." She looks too James, "My, you have some very important friends!" She looks back to the man and smiles. "What's it like being the Deputy Commissioner of the Police Department of this crazy city?" He replies, "Actually Tarrytown isn't part of the city, but the answer to your question is that it is rather time consuming. We has a string of corruption in the department a while back but I think that is all behind us now." He turns to James and says, "On the phone you said there might be a problem?" James summarizes for him the story about the crate of documents and of finding the house having been broken into a searched the night before. He omits mentioning that the documents were in the house at the time and with them now." Commissioner powers signals for the driver to pull over. He exits and tells the driver and guard to take a round-about way to the train depot and to be on the lookout for anybody who might be following them. The coach resumes its journey. Ruby says, "I have to admit, I'm relieved that someone will be watching out for my grandmother and James. This whole thing has made me nervous." Powers replies, "Well, your grandfather, Mr. Parker did our department a great favor not that long ago and we feel obligated to return it. Tarrytown doesn't really have the manpower for what it sounds like may be needed but I can pull some strings to get our force to assist." She asks, "Oh? What did he do?" Powers says, "That corruption I spoke about, James played a significant part in assisting us in catching the culprits. We set up a sting operation with James in the role of man offering the bribes. He put himself at risk for us in order to clean up the town." "James!" Ruby says surprised, "That was very noble of you. Did you ever think that your current trouble might also be because of that?" He replies, "Of course I did although at present I can't see how the two could be connected. But that is why I felt the need to contact Commissioner Powers." "I understand," she nods. "Well, please keep a good eye on them Commissioner. They are very dear to me." Ruby smiles and makes polite conversation but doesn't mention it again. She watches out the window as the sites go by, hoping it won't be long until she sees them again. They arrive back at the train station in short order. The driver and guard indicate that they did not see anybody following. Commissioner Powers and guard, apparently a plainclothes detective as Powers calls him Lieutenant, accompany them to the train with the bags. Nana gives Ruby a big hug while James shakes Richard's hand. Ruby returns the hug, squeezing her grandmother tightly. "Nana, please say you'll write. We're supposed to be getting a telegraph in Promise City, you could do it that way, or send a letter. Either way, please keep in touch. Now that I've found you I don't want to lose you." Nana replies, "Ruby, you I have no intention of you loosing me, that's why I sent you the dress." Nana gives her a kiss on her the cheek and tells her again how much she loves her. "I love you too Nana!" She pulls back slightly from her grandmother and looks to James, "Take care of each other you too. I'll see you soon." With that Ruby kisses her grandmother's cheek, then James's cheek, then Nana's cheek again before bouncing onto the train. She takes a window seat and waves vigorously to them before the rain pulls away. Richard sits down beside Ruby while Jane takes the window seat on opposite side of the aisle across from Richard. "Janie, you haven't said much. Are we okay?" Ruby asks, obviously concerned. "Yes Ruby, I am fine," she replies in a cold and serious tone of voice. Ruby answers "You don't sound fine. You sound quite upset actually. You should have gone home." Ruby stares at her friend overlong before she looks away. "I cannot go home, I have an obligation to my Goddess!" Jane states. Richard stands and says, "Perhaps the two of you should sit together for this conversation. I think I'll go find the dining car." Ruby says, "There isn't going to be a conversation Richard, but feel free to find the dining car if you wish. Jane here doesn't seem to understand that in the current state of things, which I have just figured out, I won't be doing any sort of training and she is wasting her time." Ruby crosses her arms across her chest and shifts her body to look out the window. Jane's eyes flare up and she says, "Ruby, weren't you paying any attention last night! Aphrodite has commanded for me to train you. We cannot go against the wishes of a Goddess!" Ruby turns her head to face her friend. "Jane Boag, I said nothing of disobeying the goddess. But training in her ways is MY choice. And if we can't even talk civilly then it's not time to do this. I don't want you to be hurt and I don't want to be hurt myself. I have gone through this too many times, it's why I stopped making friends. You're my friend and I love you but I can see that right now is not the time for this. " She turns back to the window, "And not for nothing but I have enough to fret over today than to worry about this." "I need your help goddess, please help me." Jane pauses, "Those were your words Ruby. And so Aphrodite made me to see beyond my own selfish desires so that I can now objectively train you. That is my duty to both you and to her." Ruby states, "She may have done that Janie. But now I know how you feel and I can't stay around you knowing that it's hurting you this much. I do need her help. But I can't do that at your expense." Jane states, "Forcing me to go away would hurt me more Ruby, I must do as the goddess commands, that is more important than anything and everything else." "Fine...," Ruby replies sharply, "Fine. I won't ask how you are or how you feel okay? I'm not pushing you away. Let's just leave the rest alone right now. I have to start thinking about what I am going to say to George." "I will go find Richard," Jane states. She stands and walks away. Ruby sighs. That didn't go as planned... And it's only because I do care about her... She shakes her head and looks out the window again. The trip was long but before she knew it they would be in Rochester. Ruby's belly yet again uncharacteristically fills with butterflies and a smile comes to her face. She leans her forehead up against the window and sets to her thoughts. The leg of the journey to Albany goes uneventfully. Richard and Jane return from the other car, both sitting in the seats on the opposite side of the train as Ruby. They reach the State Capital at 2:15 P.M. and have to disembark as it is a different train that will take them west. They have a 75-minute long layover until the next train. Richard gathers up all of the luggage, leaving Jane and Ruby standing together on the train platform. They stand in uncomfortable silence, both fidgeting. Finally Ruby breaks the silence. "Janie, I don't want us to fight. I don't want our trip to be soured by us fighting. Please, just tell me what you want me to do. Leaving you completely alone isn't an option." Jane replies, "Aphrodite wishes for me to train you. You are here in part to seek answers regarding the heart. Even if you do not love this George Eastman, he loves you, and has said prayers and made donations to my Goddess. She seeks to give both of you honest answers, just as she did to me last night. We need time to work together." A surprised look comes to Ruby's face. "He still loves me? I thought for sure when he left without a word he must have gotten over me..." Ruby starts biting at her lip but when she realizes it she forces herself to stop. "Alright Jane, we need time. I don't suppose we could do it on the train? What kind of time and space do we need? I'm ready when you are. As long as you are okay with it..." Jane states, "We will work on it tonight at whatever lodgings we get in Rochester, unless you'd rather spend tonight here in Albany. You can visit Mr. Eastman tomorrow." "Oh." Ruby's face drops a little. "I was, uh, looking forward to seeing George tonight. Well, maybe we can stop by and see him so he's knows we're here and he can hopefully make time for me tomorrow. I'd rather get to Rochester. I'm tired of traveling. Plus, I put on this whole outfit..." She glances at Jane's face for her reaction. "What do you want to do?" Jane replies, "Why don't we get to Rochester and find lodgings. The two of us could then begin to communicate with the Goddess then. You might still be able to see George this evening." Ruby nods. "Alright, let's do that." She starts heading back onto the train but pauses. "I just don't want us to fight. You're too important to me Janie." Jane states, "Ruby, I am not fighting with you. I don't know how you got the impression that I was." "Well... we weren't really agreeing...," Ruby blushes. "I guess we weren't. I was just expecting it. I‘m glad we're not fighting." Ruby squeezes her friends hand then hops back up on the train. "Let's go!" she says with a smile. Jane replies, "There is no rush Ruby, our next train isn't even here yet." Richard returns to them with the luggage. He says, "Ruby, you haven't eaten yet. There is a diner around the corner if you want to either get a quick bite now or pick up something to eat along the next leg of our journey." Ruby says, "Oh I got so flustered I didn't even realize." She looks to her friends, "Sure, let's go around the block to the diner and get something to eat. I've been so preoccupied I hadn't even thought of it. Lead the way Richard." The diner has twelve tables as well as stools by the bar. Richard escorts the ladies to a table and tells the waitress that they only have a half-hour until their train. She suggests the house special, steak and cheese sandwiches, and asks what they would like for beverages with the meal. Ruby says, "The steak sandwich sounds wonderful. And I'll have an iced tea please." After the waitress leaves Ruby picks at her napkin. "So, what did you two think of my grandparents?" Jane replies, "I think that they are wonderful people. I can see that much of your personality comes from your mother. Can I assume from what you've said about your mother that it has skipped the generation in between?" Ruby starts to laugh but stops abruptly. "Yes, that is correct. I always wondered how I turned out so differently from my mother. My mother is the most manipulative and ruthless person you've ever met. Well... maybe I have some of that in me, but I honestly think my mother is missing a heart. You wouldn't want to meet her, trust me." Jane replies, "You are correct in that assessment if you say that she has no heart. My life is dedicated to the affairs of the heart." Ruby smiles at her friend. "And it's a good occupation for you Jane." She turns to Richard, "How about you, what do you think of my grandparents?" He replies, "I found them to be overly inquisitive but other than that they appeared to be very nice people. I could see why you desired to visit them." Ruby states, "I think they were inquisitive because they are concerned. About who my friends are." She lowers her voice. "They are convinced you are the same person in that book of theirs." Ruby locks eyes with Richard and asks, "How old are you Richard?" Ruby pays careful attention to whether he is telling the truth or not as he speaks. He lowers his voice so that Jane cannot hear and says, "I am a few years shy of three-hundred. We can discuss this later when Jane is not around." Ruby nods her head in agreement and changes the subject. "Where is lunch? I'm starving!" The food and beverages arrives and the three have a quick meal with a minimum of conversation. They then head back to the railroad station, where the westbound train has arrived. This is an older train with mostly freight cars and only a single passenger car. The car is around two-thirds filled, mostly businessmen from the look of them but also a contingent of a dozen sailors from the United States Navy. Ruby's lips form into a smirk. "Well, this trip just got more interesting." As she settles into her seat she doesn't try to hide the fact she is looking over the sailors. Without taking her eyes off the men she comments, "Hey, neither of you commented on my new haircut. Do you like it?" Richard says, "It looks fine Ruby." Jane says, "To be totally honest, I preferred it long." "That doesn't sound like two positive votes," Ruby says with a raised eyebrow. "And it's still long, it's halfway down my back!" She shrugs. "Oh well. I wanted a change." She smiles mischievously, "Jane, look at all those sailors over there. Aren't you interested in finding out how hard they work for our country?" "What exactly do you have in mind," Jane asks. The smirk stays on Ruby's face. "Just a little conversation is all... Come on it'll be fun." Ruby takes Jane by the hand and pulls her up, dragging her over to the servicemen.</blockquote>

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