Arthur clapped Jesse on the back and laughed. Jesse was convinced now! Arthur was sure of it.
“Iknewyou’d like it here,” Arthur said. “Follow me.”
Arthur rushed forward into the crowd of people, heading toward the building’s front door, which he knew would impress Jesse beyond measure. Oh, he could hardly wait to see Jesse’s reaction! Arthur had read about the Transportation Building prior to coming to the fair. Its design was utterly unique. And Jesse was sure to find the entrance much more than merelyinteresting.
Once Arthur reached the front of the Transportation Building, he gestured toward the building with a flourish. Jesse’s mouth fell agape the moment he saw the beautiful entryway. Gold-plated, the entrance was made up of a five-layered archway, its complex-but-elegant construction unlike anything that Arthur had ever seen.
“Isn’t it incredible?!”
“It . . . is.”
Arthur let out a boisterous “Ha!” and then tried to rein it in. “Shall we see what’s inside?”
“Uhm, sure.”
Arthur chuckled.
He and Jesse walked into the building, which was teeming with people. Immediately next to its entryway, there were the first of theexhibits. On the right were exhibits from Great Britain, and on the left were those celebrating vehicles from France.
Over the next half hour, they explored the building. Bouncing from one exhibit to the next, Arthur could scarcely recall the specifics from parts they had only seen a moment prior. Only the overall impression of the myriad of motorcars and streetcars and trains seemed to stick in his mind. Still, Arthurlovedit. Best of all, he could tell by Jesse’s small smile and intermittently positive comments that he was loving it too.
Admiring the exhibit of horse-drawn vehicles, Arthur clasped his hands together and then motioned for Jesse to join him. Arthur pointed to a long, rectangular carriage box.
“It’s a hearse carriage!” Arthur exclaimed. “It’s so spectacular here, isn’t it? What a thing of wonder to be able to see how many ways humanity has created to move ourselves from place to place, whether over the water or on land. Even transporting corpses!”
Jesse shook his head and laughed. Arthur’s heart stuttered, the warmth in Jesse’s laughter making his chest tingle. He wished that he could kiss Jesse right then and there. Instead, Arthur sidestepped toward him and intentionally brushed the backs of his fingers against Jesse’s hand. Despite its brevity, the touch sent a wave of electricity shooting through Arthur’s veins. Jesse’s face reddened. He must have felt the little lightning bolt of love as well.
“Are you having fun?” Arthur asked.
“I am,” Jesse replied. “I couldn’t not have fun with you.”
Arthur smiled warmly, and the two stared at each other for a while, the cacophony of conversation around them only registering as a murmur in Arthur’s ears.
Finally, Arthur said, “Shall we continue to explore the fairgrounds?”
“Have you had your fill of locomotives?” Jesse asked, a playful lilt in his voice.
“For now,” Arthur said with a nod. They started back toward the exit. “I hope we can come back here sometime before the fair closes, though. I’ve always been fascinated by trains and things. Ever since I was a boy.”
“We’ll come back,” Jesse confirmed. “Isn’t the fair open until October?”
“Thankfully. Goodness, I hope we can see everything by then.”
“I’m sure we’ll manage, especially since you’ll force me to come here whenever I have a break from work.”
“I’d love it if you had evenmorebreaks from the shop, though. Perhaps I’ll talk to Mr. Stevenson soon. Have you reassigned to a special project. You’ll have to work a lot less, I’m afraid.”
Jesse and Arthur both shielded their eyes from the sun as they stepped back outside.
“I’m paid by the hour,” Jesse said. “I need money to live. You know, for rent and food.”
“Nonsense,” Arthur said. “We’ll live here. I’m sure we could hide in one of the train cars every night before they close.”
“And what will we eat?” Jesse asked.
Looking around for inspiration, Arthur spotted a glass filled with an orange-colored liquid, and his chest swelled with excitement.
“Well, I’m not sure what we’lleat, but I know we have to try whateverthatconcoction is!”
