13 Gifts Read Online Free PDF Page A

your backpack with you at all times. People come and go on trains, and you can’t be too careful. You have your phone, so call us if you need anything. Not sure about the reception in here, though …” Her eyes mist up. Dad sniffles, then coughs to hide it.
    At least I know they care. “I’ll be fine, really.” I actually have no idea if I’ll be fine, but it seems like the thing to say in this situation.
    “Call us when you arrive,” Mom says, “and remember, we’ll only be able to call out once a week, so keep your phone handy. If there’s a problem, just call that number I gave you and the Institute will send someone out to fetch us.”
    The speaker crackles on. “Train 751 departs in two minutes. All aboard.”
    “Excuse me,” a soft voice says from behind my dad. He steps out of the aisle to reveal a short dark-haired woman with a deep purple scarf draped over her hair and tied under her neck. She’s wearing the most makeup I’ve ever seen on someone outside of the movies. Green and purple eye shadow, bright pink lipstick, and what has to be four coats of mascara and ten coats of foundation. She looks very glamorous. And sort of like a whole makeup store exploded on her face.
    “Got four root canals yesterday,” she explains, pointing to the scarf. “Cheeks swelled up like beach balls. Not pretty.”
    My parents nod politely and move farther out of the way to let her pass. But she doesn’t even try to squeeze by.
    “I couldn’t help but overhear,” she says. “Your daughter is traveling alone?”
    Dad nods. Mom’s eyes suddenly lock on a spot over my shoulder, like there’s something only she can see. There better not be ghosts on this train. Then she takes a deep breath and focuses again. “We’re in a hurry,” she tells the woman. “So —”
    The woman holds up two tickets. “I have an extra ticket for the club car. First class. Full meal service and lovely accommodations. My daughter was supposed to travel with me but got called away on business. You know how it is with these modern women.” She tries to smile, but then winces and brings herhand to her cheek. “Still waiting for those painkillers to sink in. Anyhoo, I’ve got an extra one if you think she’d like it.” She pauses.
“Ticket,
that is, not painkiller.”
    “This seat will do fine,” Mom snaps, a bit rudely if you ask me. I know she doesn’t approve of women wearing a lot of makeup, but it’s no excuse to get snippy.
    “You’re sure, now?” the woman asks, looking from Mom to me.
    Since I’ve never traveled first-class anything, I say, “First class sounds pretty nice, Mom.”
    “This will do fine,” she repeats firmly.
    “All right,” the woman says, turning around.
    “I don’t see the harm —” Dad starts to say but is cut off when the conductor steps into the car. It’s a different guy from the one who let us on.
    “Last call!” he shouts from the doorway. “You folks traveling with us today?”
    My parents shake their heads.
    “Better get a move on, then.”
    Mom leans over to hug me, and holds on so tight that when she stops I feel more alone than ever. She rushes down the aisle without looking back. Dad leans in and whispers, “You go take that woman up on her offer. You deserve it.” I pull back in surprise. Dad almost never goes against anything Mom says. He gives me one more squeeze before hurrying after her.
    They wait outside my window until the train pulls away from the platform. We wave at each other as the station gets smaller and smaller. The last thing I see is Mom leaning into Dad and him putting his arm around her. My eyes burn and Iblink away tears. Being alone on the train is bad enough. Being alone on the train and crying about it is that much worse.
    When I’m sure the train is out of my parents’ sight, I stand up, hold on to the back of the seat across the aisle, and pull down my suitcase. I figure someone will eventually sit next to me, so if I have to make small talk