Page 40 of Leaving the Station

“We’re not dating,” I say as Oakley says, “Train weddings?”

Edward gestures between us. “Okay, loving this vibe.” He sighs as he pours me a cup of coffee without taking my order. “I was in love once, but he didn’t understand that my one true love was the train. He couldn’t handle playing second fiddle to this magnificent beast.” He tenderly pats the wall of the snack car. “But this is where I belong.”

“That’s beautiful,” Oakley says. I don’t know why she’s so on board with Edward’s chaotic energy, but the two of them seem to be hitting it off.

“And we’re not dating,” I say again for good measure.

It’s the second time someone has mistaken us for a couple, which is bizarre. Often, even if lesbians are making out, people will coo about how they’re such “good friends.”

Not that Oakley and I are a couple. And not that I have any experience being with a girl.

Edward hands me the coffee in exchange for my debit card, and I mumble out a thanks.

“Coffee for you, hon?” he asks Oakley.

“I’m all good, thanks.”

He winks. “My pleasure.”

“You’re not tired?” I ask as I open a wobbly packet of cream and three sugars at once.

“I am,” she says, “ but I don’t drink coffee.”

“How come?”

“Fear of becoming a heathen, mostly.”

I turn around. “What’s that now?”

“Mormons don’t drink coffee.”

A beat. “You’re not a Mormon.”

“Old habits die hard I guess.”

We walk up the narrow staircase back to the observation car, and when we get there, Aya’s in one of the seats nearby, reading a thick book.

“Whatcha reading?” I ask her as Oakley and I take the seats nearby.

“Percy Jackson,” she tells me.

“What, you’re not reading about trains?”

“I like other things too, you know,” she says with a sigh, closing the book to show me the cover. “I’m on the third one.”

“The fourth is the best,” Oakley says.

Both Aya and I stare at her.

“What? It is.”

Everything that comes out of Oakley’s mouth surprises me. She has theories on religion, gender expression, and, of course, a favorite Percy Jackson book.

“I brought that one on the train too!” Aya says excitedly. “I’ll let you know when I get up to it.”

“Please do,” Oakley says earnestly.

Aya goes back to reading, and a few minutes later her mom comes to grab her, looking as frazzled as ever.