The Candlestick. By @sweetjoy 24Hour Writing Contest Entry @mctiller

Mary's eyes were so heavy, she could barely keep them open. She was afraid to fall asleep on an Amtrak train. She not only had on fine jewelry, but she valued her vagina even more. Sometimes she wished she could just leave it at home for certain trips. Knowing her luck she'd forget it on vacation. The thought of that made her laugh and she drifted off into a deep sleep.
Mary was awakned by the conductor.
"Mame, last stop. Please wake up!!."
"Maame!!". The conductor said raising his voice.
" ok ok." Mary said sleepily.
"Where are my things?" Mary asked in a panic. Her phone, purse, jewelry were all missing. She noticed he attire was completely changed. She had on jeans, blouse and flats. Now she was wearing a really old style dress and hat. Mary smiled at the conductor. She had to be on a new reality tv show. She grabbed her shawl and bag and got off the train. The train was now a local trolley. It was beautiful craftsmanship. Shiny steel and old woodwork left Mary admiring the vessel.
Mary tried to put her bag on her shoulder but couldn't. Something was inside. It was an old candle holder. Mary recognized it was her grandmother's. This was a clue she thought to this game show, reality show or time warp. Mary walked inside the train station.
It was tiny and quite dusty. Behind the counter was an young man.
"Yes mame...what can I do you for? Asked the train agent.
" Yes sir, I am looking for Margaret Anderson's place?"
Mary asked the man.
The man's face changed.
"What do you have in that bag little lady?"
"It belongs to my grandma."
Mary explained.
The man said "Can I see that candle stick?"
"Sure...here" Mary let the man carefully examine it.
The man came from around the counter after putting up the
"Out to Lunch Sign". It was early morning but he did not care.
He offered Mary a ride to the home of Margaret Anderson. She gracefully accepted.
They travelled a short way along a dirt road and came to a small house. They entered the home but no one was there.
Mary saw pictures of her grandma, so pretty she was. School pictures, birthday and vacation photos all in black and white.
Then Mary noticed a wedding photo if her grandma and the train agent.
Tears came to Mary's eyes.
" Grandpa?" Mary exclaimed.
She ran over and hugged him. He smelled of cigars and paper.
"May I see that candlestick?" He asked.
He examined it again endearingly.
"Where is grandma Margie?" Mary asked excitedly.
Grandpa Ansderson put candles inside each hole and lit them with an old fashioned long wooden match.
He walked over to Mary.
"Your grandma Marie passed away last month. She was taking this candle stick to her friend and died in a trolley accident."
Mary was sad.
Mr. Anderson said to Mary
"Let's go meet your mom. She is in her third grade class school play."
Mary agreed. On the way to the school Mary fell asleep.
Mary was awakened by a train agent. This time is was a woman.
" Mame your bag is in the walkway, please move it for safety."
"Ok" said Mary. Mary grabbed her bag. She looked thriugh it. No candlestick. She was again in modern times on the good old Amtrak train. Mary calles her mom and asked her about her grandpa. She was surprised to learn that it was her grandpa who died on a trolly train, the day of her mom's third grade play. Grandpa Anderson was a candlestick maker.

Written by Joyce Hutton
2018 all rights reserved.

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