Chapter 8: Chatty Cathy

Thankfully, after Lulu paid up the missing rent, the landlord lost most of his determination to throw her out into the street.

And after she immediately handed over the remaining rent upfront for the rest of the year, he all but rolled out the red carpet for her. She could've sworn the man—who she had always assumed had his facial muscles paralyzed into a permanent scowl—gave her a slight smile on her way out.

'It's true… there is no problem that can't be solved with money.' She thought grimly, lamenting this cruel, capitalistic society.

Still, securing a roof over her head for the foreseeable future took a huge weight off her shoulders. Now, she could focus on her next problem—getting to Elise.

Two states over.

By herself.

With only a vague address, a ghost for company, and no car.

A plane was the fastest option, but while she could afford it now thanks to Henry's generous inheritance, she wasn't exactly rolling in disposable income. Her financial situation was still precarious with no job secured. Besides, even if she could justify the splurge…

The thought of dealing with airport security, luggage fees, and the inevitable crying baby on the flight made her want to fling herself into traffic.

However, she also couldn't stand the idea of spending sixteen hours on a cramped bus next to someone who smelled like beef jerky, chewed with their mouth open, and asked overly invasive questions. (Yes, she was speaking from personal experience.)

That left only one option.

"We're taking the train—a high-speed one," she declared.

Henry raised his eyebrows. "I didn't realize young people even took trains anymore."

"Of course! It's romantic. Adventurous. Full of mystery."

And cheap.

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Lulu arrived at the station with a duffel bag slung over her shoulder, ready for what she imagined would be a peaceful, scenic journey.

Unfortunately, what she had not accounted for was:

The crying baby two rows behind her—who, based on the sheer power of his lungs, was clearly training for a future in competitive long-distance screaming. The elderly woman seated beside her, who was far too chatty—Lulu learned all thirteen of her grandkids' names before the train even officially left the station. The overpriced snack cart. She had avoided the highway robbery of airport food, only to be charged eight dollars for a bottle of water and twelve for a sad-looking 'meat' sandwich that the vendor suspiciously refused to specify the type of meat in.

Lulu sighed as she collapsed into her seat, shifting uncomfortably.

"Oh, aren't you a pretty little thing!" the elderly woman beside her spoke with a bright smile. "You remind me of my granddaughter—she's about your age! Just graduated college, you know. Studied engineering! Such a smart girl."

Lulu forced a polite nod, but before she could even think of a response, Henry—who had claimed an empty seat across the aisle—perked up, looking absolutely delighted.

"Oh, that's impressive! Engineering is a fine field. Ask what kind of engineering," he prompted eagerly.

Lulu blinked, unimpressed. "Uh… what kind of engineering?"

"Oh, mechanical!" Cathy beamed. "She's always been so handy. Ever since she was little, she loved taking things apart and putting them back together—one time she completely dismantled the toaster! Her mother was furious, but I told her, 'That girl's got talent!' And look at her now!"

Henry chuckled. "That's delightful! Her granddaughter sounds just like my favorite customers from the hardware store—passionate go-getters! She must be very proud."

Lulu, who had already begun tuning them both out, suddenly felt Henry staring at her.

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "…What?" she muttered.

"Well?" he prompted.

She scowled. Oh, for the love of— "You must be very proud," she repeated robotically, voice devoid of enthusiasm—not that Cathy noticed.

Cathy's eyes lit up. "Oh, I am!"

Lulu barely had time to blink before the woman launched into a detailed history of her family—her other grandchildren, childhood memories, her late husband, and even a particularly heated church bake-off from 1972. Apparently, their town considered it the most dramatic fight of the decade—more so than the so-called 'Fight of the Century' between some guys named Ali and Frazier. (Whoever they were…)

Henry, meanwhile, was absolutely enchanted.

"Why, Cathy's stories are simply delightful!" he exclaimed, much to Lulu's silent dismay.

Lulu slumped further into her seat, arms crossed.

'Fantastic. I'm trapped between Chatty Cathy and Haunting Henry.'

Lulu, who was beginning to contemplate throwing herself off the train, just let her forehead drop against the window with a dull thud.

"…And then in 1986, my Harold and I took a trip to Florida! Oh, the beaches were gorgeous, but let me tell you, I got the worst sunburn—"

Lulu closed her eyes in defeat. 'I should have just splurged on the plane…'

This was going to be the longest ride of her life.