Early on a rainy October morning, Ruth boarded the train in Memphis. This being her first train ride, she searched for a window seat. She was on her way to Kansas City where her Aunt Connie lived. Not quite twenty years old, she was nervous about traveling so far from home.

The conductor walked down the aisle, bellowing, “Tickets…tickets please.” She reached into her heart shaped, faux, fur purse and pulled out her ticket. The conductor examined it and gave her an admonishing look. “That’s a long way for a young lady to go, all alone.” He punched her ticket and placed the stub under a metal tab on the seat in front of her.

“Sir, what time do we arrive in Kansas City?” She asked.

The conductor, who had the look of a man who had made this run a few times too many, pulled off his cap, exposing his white hair. “Bout fifteen hours, little lady. Be there by ten tonight.” The ride wasn’t too bad. Ruth enjoyed looking out the window and watching the way the tracks curved, the railroad switches and lights. She found the trees along the route, the highways, backroads and the changing landscape, fascinating.

She was visiting her Aunt Connie because her mother was getting married again. Her fiancé insisted on a long honeymoon, a full month in places like New Orleans, Atlanta and Charleston. Since Ruth lived with her mother, which was customary for an unmarried young woman in the 1950s, staying alone wasn’t an option.

At suppertime, she found the plethora of sounds; the clickety clack of the wheels, people chattering with each other and the dining car staff, a bit unsettling. She chafed once again at having to stay with relatives. She had recently completed secretarial school. Soon, she would have a job, which would allow her to earn her own living. She would find an apartment and live life on her own terms. She was more than ready, but then, her mother surprised her. She announced that she was marrying Carl Poust, the man she had been seeing for three years.

At first, Ruth refused to go to Kansas City. “Mother, I’m happy for you and Carl, but I’m not going anywhere. I need to stay here and find a job.”

Her mother, whose decision to marry was quite sudden, was already laying out clothing for her daughter. “Might I remind you Ruth, that you’re not yet twenty-one? You will do as I say. Anyway, my sister Connie hasn’t been feeling well. It would be a huge help to me if you would keep an eye on her while I’m gone.”

“Mother, Aunt Connie lives 500 miles away. Who is keeping an eye on her this very moment?”

“I would go myself, dear, but Carl has already made all the arrangements for our trip. Please don’t make this unpleasant for me. I am about to be married again, Ruth.”

Ruth went along, realizing that she had again been outmaneuvered by her mother.

Three hours after dinner, Ruth had fallen asleep sitting upright in her seat. She was awakened by the conductor’s voice. “Kansas City in thirty minutes, the last stop.”

She went into the tiny lavatory and washed her face and hands. She applied a bit of red lipstick, a gift from her mother for taking the trip. When the train finally rolled to a stop, she stood and stretched. She would have to wait for her luggage along with the other passengers. It was unseasonably cool on the Kansas City Union Station platform. Shivering, she looked for her Aunt Connie, but didn’t see anyone she recognized.

When her luggage arrived, two suitcases, both quite heavy, she picked them up and started toward the main terminal. A young man with startling green eyes approached her. “Are you Ruth?” He asked.

He was so handsome, Ruth could barely speak. “Uhm, yes, I’m Ruth.”

“Good, I would hate to come all this way and find out you aren’t Ruth.”

“I’m sorry, but who are you? I’m looking for my Aunt Connie.”

“She asked me to pick you up. Your aunt isn’t feeling well these days.”

“But I don’t know you. I don’t even know your name.”

“Oh, right, sorry, I’m Tom Williams. I live next door to your aunt.”

As a young woman traveling for the first time, Ruth wasn’t sure what to do. She noticed a pay phone nearby and excused herself. When she opened her purse, she realized she had no change left. She had given it to the waiter at dinner. Tom noticed this and walked over to her. “Here take this.” He handed her a dime. “Call your aunt. I don’t mind.”

“Thank you,” Ruth said. “I don’t see why you should mind.” She was beginning to regain her balance, but the young man’s looks totally captivated her. She called Aunt Connie and confirmed that she sent Tom to pick her up.  Her aunt complimented her on her good judgment.

Tom picked up Ruth’s bags, but Ruth insisted on carrying one of them to the car. It was a longer walk than she expected, but she managed. The car was parked under a street light. It was a green, 1950, two-door Oldsmobile, Rocket 88 model. Tom put the bags in the trunk and opened the door for Ruth. He put the heat on as soon as the car’s engine was warm.

“Do we have a long ride?” She asked.

“Not long enough,” Tom answered.

“What do you mean?” Ruth asked. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her heart was palpitating. Tom had such a strong voice and a confident manner.

“Your aunt didn’t show me your picture. She just said look for the prettiest girl in the station,” Tom said. “I didn’t think anyone could be that beautiful, though.”

Ruth smiled. She was going to like Kansas City. She just might stay a while.