Today as I stood ready to climb aboard the GWR at St Ives, I glanced up at the person standing just ahead of me. People were paying attention to her long blond hair and blue eyes. The platform had become crowded and noisy, but as this girl took her place amidst them, everyone became quiet.
Her very presence was so unusual in this work-a-day world that the tourists could not help but stare. I kind of wanted to, and certainly understood everyone else kind of wanting to too. But I stopped staring, leaving her alone with her beauty rather than call attention to it.
I knew that although I had been a blond girl/woman most of my life, nothing I did could ever make me look like that girl. No matter how much makeup I used or what clothing I chose. She had the look of some movie star or other - maybe one of the Marvel movies.
Everyone stopped staring long enough to cram into the train, which soon pulled out and headed toward Truro. I was going to Truro because I'd begun actually feeling well enough to go out! Miracle of miracles! Soon a man stood hesitatingly next to my row. "I think you might be in my seat, Ma'am..", he said.
I was. "I am!" I said, jumping up, and we switched places - he was now in my seat and I was standing in the aisle. This all took time because of the man's ponderous luggage. But then - the Marvel girl spoke.
"Ma'am, why don't you sit by me? There is plenty of room for you."
It was true, there was plenty. So I sat.
Things became quiet, as we rumbled along the tracks. And then she asked where I was going. Had I been there before? Where was I from? Mention of California and the grandchildren prompted much talk, and I began to realize that this was more than just a pretty face. She was interested and articulate at age 18. For a moment I almost forgot she was beautiful.
Truro was her destination too, but we lost sight of each other as the tourists pooled around us. I thought I'd never see her again, but after eating lunch at Marks and Spencers (where they forgot my soup), I saw her walking in the sunshine with two friends, all talking animately and laughing. I thought she would ignore the American lady (her friends certainly did), but mid-sentence she glanced my way, and winked. Just the tiniest little wink, it was. Enough to acknowledge the Star Spangled Banner.
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