train of thought

Clackaty clack clackaty clack clackaty clack, The monotonous drone of the tracks slowly make their way into my ears. I am aroused from my sleep from a gentle rocking motion, opening my eyes I see that I am in a train car. Sitting in a leather bound seat, a coffee mug is placed in front of me on the wooden table. The luxurious carpeting and tapestries that embellish the train car liven up the place with their bright colors. I yawn and stretch, taking a chance to look around at the empty surroundings. There was no one else in the train besides myself. Looking out the window I was startled to see nothing but stars. Galaxies and nebulous swirling around outside of the pane of glass. They wiz by, stars and comets alike, and what’s this? There are giant spheres of bright colours approaching the train.

I squint my eyes as they approach to get a better look at them. The train continues chugging along not slowing down as it rams into one of the bubbles. With a flash of bright light I am thrown back to a childhood memory, I am sitting in my highchair with a bowl of mashed peas sitting in front of me. The contents are spread all over the table as I happily eat with my fists. This is one of my first memories and it reminds me of home-cooked meals with my mom. She always made the best homemade meals, playing music while she did so and we always had such fun in the kitchen. This is where my love of cooking first started

Clackaty clack clackaty clack clackaty clack.. The train vibrates and I am thrown back into the galaxy filled skies, out of the memory. I barely have time to question what’s going on before the train Rams head first into yet another bubble. This time I am with my dad, he is holding onto the backseat of my bicycle as I balance precariously on the two big seat. “You’re ready squirt? Pedal as fast as you can and don’t stop once I let go!“ He says as he begins to roll the bike down the driveway. With excitement pulsing through my nerves I start peddling and without much thought I start bicycling beyond my childhood street. Giant smile spreading across both mine and my dad‘s face as he watches me ride.

Clackaty clack clackaty clack clackaty clack. The train burst out of the other side of the bubble memory, leaving behind the sweet summer days with my dad. It chugs along curiously without rhyme or reason. We passed by Morin more bubbles, some from my childhood, some for my teenage years, and more recent thoughts from not so long ago.

I stand up and make my way towards the front of the carriage, looking out of the windows at the passing memories. “Hello? Is anyone there?“ I ask to the empty air. There is no response, I look out the doors circular window and see the steam puffing out of the engine far ahead. There seems to be no slowing down at least not yet.

I quickly make my way back towards my seat as I see we are going to ram into yet another memory. Bracing myself I squint my eyes shut and grip my teeth.

“Let me get a picture of you! You look so beautiful“ my mother said as she fussed over me and my date. We were getting ready to go to prom, dressed in fancy clothes and ready for the night of our lives. After all we were turning into adults after tonight. And it would be a night I wouldn’t forget for the rest of my life. There is so much happiness, good food and music, Friends and of course getting into some trouble afterwards. Having my first beer with Jeffrey and Samantha, and meeting my future wife at the after party.

Clackaty clack clackaty clack clackaty clack.. I blink furiously as the bright flash blinded me for a second as we exit the memory. “Excuse me, but your stop is going to be coming up shortly“ a conductor suddenly appeared next to me. I have no idea where he came from or who he is but he stares down at a pocket watch in his hand before swiftly snapping it shut.

“Wait excuse me who are you? Where is this train even going?“ I ask quickly as he begins to turn away.

“This is your train of thought my friend, you will be waking up shortly“He responded as he grabbed the door handle to the exit of the caboose. With a nod he pulled it shut behind him and disappeared.

Clackaty clack clackaty clack clackaty clack.. The train began to vibrate, outside of the window the bubbles began to pop and become misshapen blobs of undistinguishable origin. Aloud murmur slowly began to reach my ears. With a jolt I am woken up. I am on the train from Toronto to Montreal to visit my parents. A little disoriented, I look around at the other passengers who all Mill about doing their daily activities while the train gently chugs along its tracks. The forest slowly moving past the windows. I look out of them as I continue my train of thought.