The New York Central train de-railed

[oneighty]

and rolled down into the open field next to the tracks. The train was carrying World War Two supplies which were then scattered about the field. None of us boys were allowed near the interesting wreckage. Over a period of several weeks the wreckage was removed as are my memories of the details.

It was a year or so later that one of our young school mates was trying to light a defective gas oven in the cook stove in her home. The explosion set her clothing on fire. She ran into that same field went down and burned to death.

Almost every day I drive past that field and I think of that poor girl burning to death alone in that field and I cannot even remember her name.

A railroad story from the book I will never write.

180

[Godai Kyoko]

1. What does one thing have to do with the other?

Sorry, I confuse easy. I can't see the connection, except in terms of place.

Feel sorry for the girl.

[mirandapriestly]

2. I don't get it either

but the imagery is first rate.

[expatriot]

3. both were train wrecks....

one literally and the other one figuratively, she was a psychological train wreck... a trainwreck of dysfunctionality.

And in another connection, both left their goods scattered over the field, American "surplus" left un-utilized.

The narrator is lying to the reader here, of course he remembmers her name. It's Samantha.

[oneighty]

5. No.

You are careless with the 'lying' word.

The girl was a poor girl living in a poor house trying to cook because nobody was there to cook for her.

There was a lot of poor in our village during World War Two.

180

[oneighty]

4. Only the field

next to the RR. I can never think of one without thinking of the other.

180