UNCLE MAX’S FACE IS SET, his body a solid wall at the back of the smoking car.
“No.”
“But Uncle Max,” I whine.
“You’re too green and you got your daddy’s blood in you. Ain’t nothing you love more than chasin’ a skirt.”
I place a hand on my chest with pretend shock. “I am offended, Uncle Max. I would never do anything to jeopardize my new job here or to embarrass you. Besides, like you said, I’m green. You can put me in one of the other cars where I’m liable to make a mistake, or you can put me in the private car and all I have to do is take care of two people. It’s like baby steps, easing into the job.”
“No dice. Sharp’s already turned down the beds and delivered the good doctor his dinner.”
“Sharp? Even I know Sharp ain’t the best.” I met him while working luggage earlier. You had to watch him or you’d find yourself hauling everything alone, with him hiding behind a trunk with a cigarette.
“I don’t need him to be the best. I just need him to babysit till we let ’em off in Atlanta.”
I’ve got more argument in me, but Uncle Max turns and leaves.
“Uncle Max!”
The whip of the wind snatches my voice and tosses it along the tracks, but Fats always said an obstacle ain’t nothing but an opportunity in disguise.
“Sharp?” I whisper. “Sharp?”
He groans and turns over in bed. With a near-empty car available, there’s no reason to try to make up a bed in the smoking car like the other porters; he just picked the farthest sleeping compartment from the guests and claimed it as his own.
“Sharp!” This time I wedge a knuckle into his spine.
“Ow!”
“Shhhh!” I hiss.
“Man, are you crazy? What are you doing in here?”
“I’ll give you two dollars if you let me take this assignment.”
Sharp’s lips bunch and slide to the side in suspicion. “You ain’t got it to give.”
I dig into my vest pocket and pull out a double eagle worth twenty dollars. His eyes bulge and he shoots up so quick his head cracks against the ceiling. Sharp winces and rubs the spot while reaching out to inspect the coin. I snatch it back.
“You stole it.”
“I’ve never stolen anything in my entire life outside of a kiss. I’m just letting you know I’m good for it.”
He’s silent for a minute and then nods. Attending porters are required to stay close to their guests, and I want to be as close to the girl as possible. It might be the only joy I get on this job.
“All right,” he sighs as he flops back down on the bed. “Ain’t no point in me working this one anyway. Big-time coloreds don’t tip worth a damn.”
He slides off the bunk and disappears down the hallway as quiet as death. I guess it’s one of those skills you learn over time. I don’t even bother to undress, just pull off my jacket and unbutton my shirt before I hop into bed.
After the hardest day of work in my life, I thought I’d go out like a light, but my mind turns to sweeter things, like the girl asleep in the next room, her smile, the longing in her eyes, like she’s looking for something she just can’t find.