When the Snow Flies

Laurie Alice Eakes

“No one met Audrey Vanderleyden at the train. A wizened old man with hair like mountain mist popped out of the station, spoke with the conductor for a moment, then darted into the clapboard building without so much as glancing Audrey’s way.

The train pulled out of the station. Audrey remained on the platform amidst a collection of trunks and valises until the locomotive’s last whistle died away in the valley, and pine resin scent from the planks beneath her feet overcame the stench of coal smoke. Still no one came to meet her, neither a porter from the hotel nor Dr. Hornsby, with whom she had an appointment in an hour, according to the watch pinned to her black lapel.

She left all but one of her bags behind and marched toward the station. Her black muslin skirts hampered her brisk stride, and she kicked them out of her way with each step. When she reached the door, she yanked it open, took one step into the hot, still air, and stopped to look around.

In one corner, the telegraph machine clattered. A diminutive operator sat beside it with his booted feet propped up on the desk on which lay a slip of yellow paper with the words addressed to Dr. Hornsby printed in bold, black letters.

DR. A. S. VANDERLEYDEN ARRIVE AFTERNOOON TRAIN TUESDAY STOP MEET HOUR LATER STOP

The message for the hotel was similar and requested that a conveyance meet her at the train.

“You didn’t deliver my messages.” She used the same tone she too often had to use on nurses who failed to carry out her orders for a patient’s care.”

Whoa! I wouldn’t want to be that guy! And why didn’t he deliver her messages???

Are you intrigued? I am!–Lyn