EITHER! What's....”
“Now go to the front of the car and look out of that door.” said Jesus.
Mike walked over and looked out the front door window and said “There's no locomotive or coal tender, no diesel engine and no track there either.” He paused for a moment to take this in and then said “OK. What exactly is going on? If I'm not on a train, or at least a train as I know of, then where are we?” He then sat back down on the sofa, touching it first to make sure that it was indeed really there.
Jesus said “I use the train as sort of a means of conducting my business, so to speak. Those tracks have been laying behind that prison you were in for a long time now, over two hundred years to be more exact. But a regular train route hasn't run on those tracks for the last 75 years and the tracks have been abandoned. So I use the train as a common reference that all of the prison inmates can easily relate to and share with any inmates whose number is up on Death Row. Now—is the train real? Yes by all means. But remember that I am God and can do anything with anything that I want to in order to get my points across. Now—go and look out the back window again.”
And Mike did as Jesus asked him to do and said “There's at least another couple of cars behind us. And on tracks too. I take it there's a locomotive up front as well?”
“That's right Mike. A beautiful old Berkshire that packs a lot of power and can take this train of mine wherever I need to go. And no—I never run out of coal.” said Jesus, smiling at Mike. “Now you understand, I take it?”
“Yeah” said Mike returning the smile. “And this has been the best train ride that I've ever taken in my whole life. And uh...good choice of transportation too. I happen to like trains a lot, but I guess...”
“Yes I know that about you too. And you do have a fondness for old locomotives too. Personally so do I.” said the Lord and at that point both men began laughing together out loud. “Well Michael. Your stop will coming up in a few minutes. I think you'd better tidy up for your wife. You'll want to look good when she sees you. And I'll be right back with those strawberries I promised you.”
Mike stood up and hugged Jesus before He left the car. “Thank you again, my friend. You're more than that I know but during this trip you really have become my friend. My best friend.”
Jesus smiled and said “No trouble at all Mike. Glad to do it for a friend.” And with that Jesus exited the car and went to get Mike his strawberries. Mike took a few moments to make himself presentable and splashed a dash of cologne from the nightstand on his face. “He even knows what scent I like to wear. Amazing!” he said and laughed to himself again.
Chapter 3—Going Home
After a few moments Jesus returned with a shopping bag full of fresh strawberries and other kinds of desserts from the train's pantry. As He handed the bag to Mike He said “I also remembered your weakness for cheesecake so you'll find some tasty delights in the bag to help you enjoy your first days of freedom. Just get them into the fridge as soon as you get home and don't eat them all in one night, OK?”
“They may not last until I get home. “said Mike as he took the bag from Jesus and again they both shared a laugh together. It was then that the train slowly pulled into the station and came to a full noisy stop in front of a long wooden platform to the car's right side.
Mike slid the door open and stepped down onto the platform. He looked at Jesus and said “So when will I see you again?”
“Whenever you need me I'll be right there wherever you are because I'll never leave you or forsake you.. And my line is never busy so don't believe that old nonsense, OK?”
“OK I promise. And thank you again so much.”
“Glad to do it Mike.” And with those words Jesus slid the door closed and the train slowly pulled out of the station as a bank of clouds formed around it and hid it from view as it left. Mike heard a car's horn honk twice and as he looked toward the edge of the platform he saw his wife parking their car in the first available spot. He ran down the platform and over to their car just in time to embrace his wife and give her a long overdue kiss.
“How did you get here?” she asked. “I got a call an hour ago from a man who said that you'd be meeting me at this old train station.”
“This is where the train that picked me up at the prison dropped me off!” said Mike excitedly.
“But Mike there hasn't been a train using this station for about 70 years!”
“Seventy five!” said Mike. “And I've got a long story to tell you on the way home! Where's Eric?”
“He's at school today taking a big history test so we'll surprise him when he gets home later. Are you sure you're OK?”
“Yeah! In fact I'm better than ever! Oh—this is for you. These are some of the biggest, most delicious strawberries you'll ever eat. I had some on a cheesecake on the train last night and got some to bring home to you!”
As his wife looked into the bag she said “I've had these once before. That produce vendor just across the street sells them.”
“Really?” he said, feeling a little puzzled. “Mind if I go and take a look before we go? I promise I'll be right back.”
“Sure, but...”
“I'll explain everything in just a couple of minutes.” he said as he gave his wife another quick kiss and walked across the street. The produce vendor had his face buried in his work for a moment as Mike approached his stand.
“Excuse me,” he said. “Can I get some of your strawberries. My wife said....”
And Jesus looked up and said “Why? Didn't I put enough in the bag, Mike?” The two men looked at each other and burst out laughing. Then Jesus said “Try the kiwis Mike. I made them fresh this morning.”
“I'll take half a dozen.” said Mike trying to control his laughter. “You get around, don't you?”
“Anywhere, anytime. I'm always around, Mike. Now go home with your wife. And take that vacation we talked about, all right?”
“I'm almost there already.” said Mike as the two men shook hands and Mike hurriedly crossed the street, quickly getting into the family car. Then he and his wife drove home and he told her of the miraculous events of the last 24 hours. Mike's wife didn't know exactly what to make of the story at first, but she saw the sincerity in Mike's heart as he explained everything to her and began to trust him again after his time in that prison. It was good to have him home again and good to begin their life together again.
Later that night as Mike lay in their bed, he looked over at his clock sitting quietly on his nightstand. As the clock numbers flipped over to midnight, Mike heard a train whistle crying out in the night. “He's right on time.” he whispered to himself. “Right on time as always.”
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