Family Reunion

The journey from Verdun to Lyon had been long nearly eight hours through the French countryside, passing rivers, sleepy hamlets, and church spires that were visible in the horizon.

The train vibrated a lot and hissed as it began to slow, the station of Gare de Lyon-Perrache finally coming into view.

As the train came to a halt with a final exhale of steam, Moreau stood from his seat and adjusted his coat.

Renaud, groggy from his light doze, muttered, "We made it, eh? Feels like I've aged a year on that seat."

"Don't be dramatic," Moreau smirked, grabbing his bag from the overhead rack. "You sleep like a dog."

Outside the train, the station was full of noise and people.

Conductors in navy blue uniforms shouted schedules.

Porters, wearing faded caps, wheeled carts loaded with leather trunks.

Women in long coats clutched small children, and vendors called out about warm chestnuts and newspapers.