DISCLAIMER is on the Introduction page.
Italics denotes thoughts
4:53 pm: On Wednesday, Scott stepped down off the crowded train and was immediately enveloped in a "perfumed-jangling bracelet-red hair" hug. "Hey, Mapes. Thanks for picking me up."
5:03 pm: Betty glanced down at the suitcase next to her desk and then checked her watch. Scott's train should have arrived by now. She wondered if he would come straight here or go to his apartment first. Her taxi would be here at 5:15. She hoped she would get to see him before she left.
5:17 pm: The holiday traffic into town was terrible and Maple was an enthusiastic driver. She let everyone know with her lungs, gestures and horn when she felt they were committing some traffic faux pas according to Maple's Book of Driving Etiquette.
As they approached the outskirts of town, Maple looked over at Scott's drawn face. "Where to, big guy? The station or home?"
Scott glanced at his watch. "Since we're so close, I thought I'd touch base with the station first."
Maple wasn't fooled. "I don't think she'll still be there, Scotty. She's leaving tonight for Indiana for a week."
Scott's face remained stoical. Barely a ripple of disappointment crossed it. Scott turned and looked out the window. It was already starting to get dark. His mind wandered back to the Starlight Room. If he closed his eyes, he could still feel the warmth and softness and sweetness of Betty in his arms. If they hadn't been interrupted at the end of the dance he would have told her she looked like an angel - an angel whose memory helped get him through this last difficult week.
Scott refused to dwell any further. It was time he started facing some cold, hard truths. It was getting next to impossible to be around Betty now – to constantly fight his feelings. He knew the time was coming very soon, when he would have to leave Pittsburgh and…"
"Scott?" Maple gently interrupted his thoughts. "So, do you still want to go to the station?"
"Yeah. I need to pick up my car and check the schedule." Maple took the appropriate turns and headed toward the station.
5:23 pm: The taxi driver was getting very impatient. "Lady, the traffic this time of night is terrible. If we don't leave right now, we're not going to make it on time. We still may not."
Betty had been stalling for the last 10 minutes. She had come up with every excuse she could think of, hoping that Scott and Maple would pull up before she left. She took one last look up the deserted street then climbed into the taxi. She settled into the back seat and bent her head so the taxi driver wouldn't see her tears.
As they pulled away from the curb and sped down the street, Maple and Scott turned the corner behind them and slid into the parking space just vacated by the taxi.
5:35 pm: Scott looked over next week's schedules. The station was trying something new this year. They were playing prerecorded programs this evening, tomorrow and part of Friday so that the staff could enjoy the holiday. And since they hadn't known when he would be back, nothing was even penciled in for him until Monday. He wondered what he was going to do with himself until then.
Scott thought about the warm welcome given him when he walked in the station tonight. It was nice to be home among friends, but there was still a big, lonely, empty hole in his heart that only Betty seemed capable of filling. He looked at his watch. Time seemed to be crawling already.
Everyone, anxious to start celebrating, was hurrying to clear out as soon as possible. Scott thought about Thanksgiving the next day. It never meant anything to him. His family never celebrated it when he was a kid and as an adult, he had usually been overseas somewhere this time of year. He received several invitations to dinner the next day, but he had begged off. He knew he wouldn't be very good company.
Scott walked out into the hall just as Maple was hurrying out the door. She stopped. "Are you sure you won't join me and Johnny for dinner tomorrow? We're going to his mother's."
"Yikes, Maple. I thought you liked me."
Maple smiled. "Are you sure you're going to be ok?"
"Of course! You run along. I'll lock up."
With a brilliant smile over her shoulder she walked out the door. Quiet descended on the station. As Scott walked around turning off the lights, he thought of all the entertainment possibilities he had for the weekend. The many and varied diversions that used to interest him didn't seem at all appealing. Maybe he should try some place new to eat. Mr. Foley had mentioned a good restaurant on the north side of town but Scott couldn't remember the name. Maybe flipping through the restaurant section of the phone book would help jog his memory.
The dog-eared book fell open to where a piece of paper was marking someone's place. Something caught Scott's eye about the paper and he picked it up to take a closer look. It was a receipt from Jensen's Jewelers for a diamond ring. The first thing that popped into Scott's mind was, Mr. Foley, you ol' devil. But the signature on the bottom wasn't Mr. Foley's. It was Victor Comstock's.
Scott slammed the book shut and heaved it down the hallway. It finally came to a spinning stop by the control room door.
5:45 pm: With one last look back to make sure everything was buttoned up, Scott locked the front door. As he turned to go, the toe of his shoe hit something. He looked down and picked up a soft butter yellow wallet with a brightly colored envelope sticking out. Curiously, he opened it up. It was Betty's wallet with her bus ticket tucked inside. He checked the departure time. He looked at his watch. He went back into the station and tried to call the Bus Station. All he got was a busy signal.
If I ignore all the red lights, maybe I can get there before 6:00. He hurried down to the parking garage where his black DeSoto had been sitting since he left for Buffalo. He prayed it would start for him. With a growl, it came to life and Scott screeched out of the parking lot and down the street in the direction of the Bus Station.
6:02 pm: Scott quickly walked through the busy Bus Terminal looking for Betty. There was a crush of holiday travelers everywhere. He had almost given up hope when he spotted her. She was sitting all alone on a bench looking very small and dejected. He quietly sat down next to her.
"Betty?" She turned her face toward his. A look of amazement replaced the sadness.
"Scott, where have you been? I've been trying to call you forever! I tried the station and your apartment, but I couldn't find you. I've lost my wallet and my bus ticket. The porter has tried to help me look, but he's been so busy. Besides, he told me chances are no one would turn it in. Now I can't go home for Thanksgiving and I don't have any money to buy another ticket or even to take a taxi back to the Barbican. I'm so glad you're here."
"I'm glad I'm here too." Then, with a smile, "Now, if you'll stop jabbering long enough for me to get a word in." He pulled her wallet out of his coat pocket and placed it in her hand. A look of amazement crossed her face and she threw her arms around his neck. People walking by began to stare.
"Uh, Betty. I can't breath."
She blushed at the raw emotion she had expressed at seeing him. He spared her any real embarrassment by saying, "Whew! You must really want to get home."
She was grateful he misunderstood her actions. To avoid his gaze, she looked down at her wallet. "But how did you find it?"
Scott cleared his throat. "Don't worry about that right now. Let's go exchange your ticket for a later bus and get you on your way to your family."
She half grinned. "I already checked. There aren't any more buses to Indiana until after Thanksgiving."
He brushed a stray strand of hair off her cheek. "Don't worry. We'll think of something."
Betty's Journey of Discovery Series
Go to Betty's Journey of Discovery#17 - On the Road to Indiana!
Go Back to Betty's Journey of Discovery#15 - Goodbye Aunt Agatha!
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