But I didn’t want to add to Tay’s problems today, so even though I felt my throat tightening up, I just nodded. “No worries. No big deal. I can…” I gestured around the hotel. “Hang out at the pool?”
“It doesn’t open for the season until tomorrow.” Tay was clearly upset. “All we can do is bring you to the station and hope someone cancels last minute.”
“I bet someone cancels,” Babs offered optimistically. “People always cancel on these things. Don’t they, Tay sweetie?”
But Tay only winced. “It’s a pretty popular attraction. But we can hope.”
“Okay. That’s fine.” I told myself it shouldn’t matter. I’d already experienced some incredible things on this tour. “If there isn’t room, there isn’t room.”
I felt Noah watching me. Then I felt his mom watching him. Then I felt Babs watching all of us.
“Well, then. Let’s try to get there early, shall we?” Babs addressed Tay, who quickly nodded and went about rounding up our group.
Unfortunately, we could have been a full hour early, and it wouldn’t have made a difference. Because I was number nine on the wait list.
“Okay, then…” I took a step away from the group.
As I did, I could see the look on Noah’s face. He was going to offer to give his ticket up, or maybe even stay behind. But his mom…
His mom was celebrating the fact that she’d survived breast cancer! I shook my head before he could offer.
I took another step back. “I’ll video the train pull away. Wishing you all bon voyage!” Even now, with the sight of the engine rumbling on the tracks, I was kind of excited to watch this beast get going.
Mrs. Grady didn’t seem to mind leaving me behind. “Come on then, Noah. The brochure says to try to get a seat on the back for the best views of the train.”
She gave a little tug on Noah’s arm, but he didn’t move, his eyes still on me. “What are you gonna do?”
“I’ll figure something out. I’ll be fine.” And I would. I punched up my most encouraging smile. “Be with your mom.”
That, coming from me, was kind of ironic.
But I meant it.
And even though I could see he was feeling more than a little torn, I also saw a hint of relief. Because…yeah.
Breast cancer.
So, with my whole-hearted blessing, he allowed his mom to drag him away. “We’ll save you a seat, Babs!” Mrs. Grady called over her shoulder.
Whereas everyone else was already clamoring onto the cars, Babs still hadn’t moved.
“You’d better go, Babs,” I said. “Unless chasing a train down like a hobo is on your bucket list…”
“No…” The platform was almost completely empty now. I looked around nervously.
“Seriously, Babs?—”
“Take my seat, Luna.” Before I knew what she was doing, she’d pressed the ticket into my hand. “You gave up your massage for me.”
“What? No, Babs?—”
But this time, it was Babs who was moving away. “It’s only fair!”
“Babs!” I couldn’t take her ticket.
“I believe I saw a haberdasher on Main Street, and I really need to stop in to have this fraying on Morty’s hat repaired. And I want to stop in at that honey shop.” But then she gave me a stern look. “Get on that train, Luna Faraday, or so help me, I’ll call your mother.”
My eyes flew wide.
