Jillian Chantal

This week, the Tuesday Tales writers are writing to the word fall.  I’ve picked up right where I left off the last time I was able to work on this story.
Be sure to check out the other tales here.

Mentally debating what to do next, I watched the scenery go by outside. There was nothing new there, but it was somewhere to focus while I thought of a plan. Maybe everyone would ignore me while I had a chance to think,

No such luck. Anita tried to pull me into her conversation with Jonathan. “What do you think about the new fall television line up? Jonathan thinks that new reality show might be good. You know the one where the participants live on a cattle ranch and work the rodeo circuit?”

“I haven’t seen anything about it, but I’m not a big fan of reality TV.” I couldn’t believe they were talking about such nonsense when I was dying to know who that lumberjack is. I guess it’s not fair for me to think that way as they have no idea that I’m fretting inside, but couldn’t they keep it between themselves?

As soon as I saw the expression on Jonathan’s face, I realized I was being unkind. I smiled at him. “I know a lot of people enjoy those shows and I’m not judging you—they just aren’t for me.”

“I see,” he said and turned his body to block me from Anita. He continued to speak to her in a low voice.

Rebuffed, but left alone with my thoughts, I continued in my quest for an excuse to check out the lumberjack at the front of the car.

It dawned on me that I’m an idiot. As a rule, I always make sure I use the facilities at home before going to the station or at work before leaving as I once was locked in the lavatory on the train. It was an unpleasant experience to say the least. But, I could pretend to go, couldn’t I? There was nothing to stop me. No one would pay attention to how long I was gone. I could sashay by that guy and then turn around at the bathroom and come back. Easy come, easy go.

I stood to make my way down the aisle toward the front and, as soon as I took five steps, the lumberjack rose from his seat and went toward the lavatory himself. Dang it. I floundered there, looking like a red snapper on the dock. Now what?