We pulled out of Union Station at about 8PM. In the song, the train pulls out in the morning and arrives in the evening. Guess things had changed since Steve Goodman rode the train and wrote the song. I could live with that. Ever since I’d first heard Arlo Guthrie singing about “The City of New Orleans”, I’d wanted to take this trip. Oftentimes, at work or in the shower, I’d find myself humming the tune. Now, I was actually on the legendary train, riding from Chicago to New Orleans. We’d be “changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee” at about 6:30 in the morning, “half way home and we’d be there” by about 3:30 in the afternoon. OK, I’ll admit it didn’t have quite the same lyrical impact as the songwriter’s ride. As I was to learn, however, there are still some wonderful sights to be seen “nighttime on The City of New Orleans”. I was lucky enough to witness one that still burns in my sexual memory.

There were no old men in the club car and the only card game was being played by a long legged, slim blonde in her very early twenties. She was sitting at a table playing Solitaire. I’m kind of on the short, stubby side. I’ve never considered myself to be in the same sexual league as young, tall blondes with sexy slim figures. I’m not even sure we’re playing the same sport. That night, though, I had enough romantic spirit and just enough spirits to strike up a conversation. She was friendly. I learned that her name was Denise. Her boyfriend was an intern in Jackson, MS and she was headed to see him. I wasn’t surprised to find she had a boyfriend, nor, even that he was a doctor. I was a bit surprised that a young woman on such a tight schedule was riding the train, rather than flying. She told me she loved the rhythm of the rails, it relaxed her. The hurry, scurry scary pace of airline travel just made her tense. Without giving me the details, she told me that, for this meeting, she needed to be relaxed when she got there. I nodded sympathetically but didn’t press her. We had a few drinks and a few laughs. It was about midnight when we wandered back to our seats. Read more

She sat across from me in our little cabin staring out the window, watching the countryside fly by. How could she look so peaceful and not be worried about anything? I absolutely hated to take the train. It didn’t help that there was a crash last week. We were going to be on the train for at least eight hours. It was everything I could do just to sit still and the constant rocking was making me sick.

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She turned her gaze from the window to me. Her deep green eyes smiling into mine. She’s absolutely beautiful. “Are you ok hon?” She asked. I shrugged trying to make light of it, “Yeah, just peachy keen.” She rose her eyebrow at me “How come I don’t believe you Pam?” She laughed and switched seats, sitting closely to me. Her arms slid around my shoulder and she pulled me close, the smell of her light perfume filled my nose. She gently pulled my face to hers with her other hand and looked me straight in the eyes. “Is there anything I can do to take your mind off this trip? I really hate to see you like this babe.” With that said, she kissed my lips softly. Her delicate touch sent tingles down my spine. Read more