Timeless Passion

Timeless Passion 1

The steady rocking of the train kept the beat in her head.   I miss him…I miss him...I miss him.    Anne looked up wearily from the magazine’s unread words and watched the countryside go by.   How long had it been since she had seen him, one month, two months, a year?   It seemed like two or three years.  She felt some of those hard fought tears well up in her eyes and begin to slowly trickle down the contours of her face. 2

She found it didn’t matter where she was or who she was with or what she was doing, Alex always seemed to be with her, taunting her with the memory of his laugh, and the look in his brown eyes when he smiled.  She knew with out a doubt though that their breakup was for the best.  Anne didn’t kid herself as to the reasons for their eventual separation.  They had been as different as night and day, and their differences had finally taken precedent in their lives.  Still when he had finally come to her saying he wanted out, that he didn’t want to be with her anymore,  it had hurt. 3

Anne sighed and reached for the watch in her pocket, she clicked it open, and the time was 1:15.  It would still be some time until she arrived in Charleston. 4

She turned the watch over in her hands marveling at its state of newness.  She took note of the now-bright silver, which had been tarnished brown.   She traced the intricate design engraved in the metal.  She lifted the watch to her ear listening to the steady tic toc of the old piece.  She clicked it open, studying the picture within. 5

Before their breakup, this was going to be her birthday present to Alex.  She had bought it months ago at her favorite antique store, something about it calling to her as she walked by.  When she had opened the case she had found herself staring into her own eyes.  The picture inside the watch of someone who looked so much like her it could have been a twin.  The woman had been standing beside a man with remarkable eyes;  Eyes she could tell were bright blue even in the black and white photograph.  She had wondered if the woman in the photo was related to her somehow, but hadn't had time to research to see if she was.  She turned the watch over and saw the inscription. ”To Danny…ALWAYS with love."  The words ALWAYS, which had made her, sigh at the time, now only make her cry. 6

With the world whooshing by on this train as it slowed into another station, she placed the watch back into her pocket and forced her thoughts back to the reason for her trip in the first place.  The medical convention in New York City had been a great success.  The presentation she had made had allowed her fellow physicians to see that Anne Dubois was tops in her field.  Her knowledge of the use of leeches in the saving of reattached limbs was considered medieval and yet revolutionary also.  She was genuinely thrilled that she had been listened to and not booed off the stage.  She knew that in another era, the fact of her being female and a doctor would have carried absolutely no credibility. 7

Anne's smile, remembering her kudos, slipped away as she sighed again.  The trains slow progress was a bit frustrating, but since she had a major problem with flying this had been her only alternative.  Of course originally she and Alex were going to take a short vacation after her presentation.  They had booked a room at a cozy bed and breakfast.  Charleston had such history and the thought of cuddling up in one of its more amazing plantation homes had been just the vacation she needed.   After much soul searching, Anne had decided the time away would still do her some good.   Her best friend Lynette had convinced her that some wonderful southern gentleman was just waiting to make her forget all about Alex and her wounded heart.   8

She had entreated..“Come on Anne, you know that the break will do you good!  You can’t be a doctor every day of your life. At least for a while, PRETEND you actually have a life!”   9

Lynette hugged her dearest friend.  “If I could get away right now I’d come with you!  It would be great to have a “sleep over” with you and giggle all night about the boys.   As it is, I expect a full disclosure when you get back!  I guarantee you are going to meet the man of your dreams, and if not your dreams, then the man of MINE! “   10

Anne laughed softly to herself.   “ah…Nette…I surely do miss you” 11

She yawned and looked once more at the pocket watch.  She clicked it open and looked into the faces of the two people there.  It was really quite amazing her resemblance to this woman, perhaps a great great grandmother? And yet once again it was the man she was touched by.   12

As the train continued on its journey, she drifted to sleep.   Her sleep wasn’t restful, and she felt like she was searching for something, perhaps someone.  In the swirling mists of her mind she saw him in the distance.  He was smiling…and his hand was outstretched.   She walked towards him but as is the case in dreams,he seemed to be pulled away.  She began to run towards him, “Who are you?  Please….wait!”   13

She saw him stop, and he took several steps towards her.   She could see his eyes, those beautiful blue eyes.   14

“Who are you? “   15

" You know me.  Come find me.” 16

His face began to fade and she reached out to stop him. 17

“ Please” she whispered “don’t leave me.“ 18

The train gave a sudden lurch.  Anne’s eyes came open and she found herself reaching out to nothing.  She looked around, feeling a sadness.  The realization that she knew who he was, gave her no consolation at all.  Once again she reached for the watch and clicked open the case.  What good was it to know that a man long passed had come to her in her dreams?  But as foolish as it was she realized she would welcome his return, and eagerly seek his caress, even if it was just a dream.       19

The porter had taken notice of Anne as soon as she came aboard.  Now, as he made his rounds, he noticed the sweet sadness of her fce. 20

“ Is there anything I can do for you ?  Can I get you something to eat, something to read?  Maybe you would like to join some of the other passengers in the game car?  They have poker and some gin rummy games. It’s all in good fun mind you. They only play for poker chips, no real gambling allowed of course, but the other guests seem to be having a lot of fun.   21

He saw the sadness disappear and the bright twinkle in her eyes return.  She glanced up and smiled. 22

“Ma’am,  allow me to escort you?” 23

“ Sure.  It would be my pleasure.” 24

Smiling, she hooked her arm in his, and putting Alex, and the mystery man of the watch, firmly out of her mind, she allowed him to lead her to the next car. 25

Just as she started to walk, she felt the porter’s arm wrenched from her.  At the door of the adjoining car, the train gave a horrible grinding noise, jerked and bucked.  She turned falling towards the floor, her eyes searching those of the porter, those of anyone but there was no one.   Everything was falling away from her.  She was tossed against the door jam, felt her head give a crack as flesh met hard wood and then everything went dark. 26

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 27

She awoke, her eyes glazed over, trying to remember where she had been, what had happened?   She saw the indistinct images moving past her. The muted voices of concerned strangers, and then a deeper voice. 28

“ Shes coming around…shes coming around” 29

She saw a face, a blurred face coming slowly into focus, materializing out of the fog.  She groaned as another pain racked her temples.  Finally the face appeared, the dizzying haze finally parting to allow her to see him.  The familiar blue eyes, the brush of unruly eyebrows, a concerned look of distress. 30

A flash of a picture in her mind, a woman who looked like her, a man who looked like him.   “Danny??” her mind screamed, the words barely a whisper.  “ Is that you?” 31

Daniel pressed the damp handkerchief to her brow and settled her back against the floor.  “shh shh , dear, you’re going to be fine.” 32

The odd peculiarity of his voice finally made sense as she determined she must be in the deep South, but those sideburns, those had gone out of style years ago!  And what was with that odd uniform?  Was this some kind of costume?  It looked oddly like one of those Civil War confederate things. 33

She focused on the face hovering above her once more.  “ Danny?  It is you isn’t it?”  but the words never materialize on her lips.  Instead her mind fell away into the comfort of darkness again. 34

Daniel watched s she slipped into unconsciousness once again.  What had she said?  He was sure she had spoken his name, asked if it was he?  He looked at her, trying to see if he should know her.  NO,he was sure she was a stranger to him. 35

The porter came close to peer at the woman.  “Sir,  shall I help you carry her to one of the cars?  I think there is a bunk unused.  She could rest there until shes feeling better or we get into Charleston.   36

“Great idea man. No need in her lying here with the world staring at her.  However I think I can carry her myself.  Just make sure the corridor is empty so I can make my way without anymore excitement.” 37

Daniel lifted her gently into his arms, her head falling gently against his shoulder.   He could smell the soft scent of her hair and he couldn’t help but to place a soft kiss on her forehead.   38

The porter opened the door and he was pleased to see the luxuriousness of the room.   “ I take it this room was for  someone special?   39

“Yes sir, but he canceled his visit so the room is yours until we arrive.  I will let you know when we do. “ 40

“Thanks my good man…thanks indeed.” 41

Daniel looked down on his sleeping charge.  Soft auburn hair tumbled around her face and though her eyes were closed now he distinctly remembered their soft hazel color.  "Who was this most amazing woman, and where had she come from? " His mind ran over scenarios of how she came to be here, but finally the long day claimed him and he let his eyes close and soon he was asleep. 42

She moaned softly in her sleep and struggled  to open her eyes.  The sudden stab of bright white as her eyes opened caused her to grimace in pain and her vision to blur.   The doctor in her took over and she realized she was quite possibly badly hurt. Her arms felt weighted as she gingerly reached up her fingers to touch the contusion on the side of her head.   43

As her vision slowly cleared she studied he man before her.  Why was he dressed so oddly?  He must be part of a reenactment of the old South she convinced herself. She glanced around the car.  Rich burgundy velvet seemed to cover everything.  Funny she didn’t see anything else on the train that looked like this.   Someone had certainly done a magnificent job of decorating it in mid 1800 style. 44

Anne tried to pull herself to a more upright position and the attempt caused her to moan out loud, the sound waking Daniel immediately. 45

“ Now, now “ he cautioned, “ You need to lay very still.  You really banged your head, and haven’t been lucid for even a moment.”  He reached out a very warm hand to settle her back against the velvet cushion. 46

The deep southern drawl and the complete warmth of his hand immediately made her stop moving and to look deeply into his eyes. 47

“Who are you?”  Anne whispered  “Why are you dressed like that?” 48

“Shhh shhh, Darling, you just relax and don’t be asking so many questions. I do need to ask you just a few though.  Do you think you are up to answering them?” 49

The pain had become unbearable again but she shook her head yes. Something told her she NEEDED to try to focus on what was happening. Suddenly she was feeling like Alice in Wonderland and she didn’t like the feeling. 50

“ Do you remember your name?”   51

She closed her eyes as another pain wracked her head. “ Anne…” she whispered so quietly he had to lean down to hear her. 52

“ Why are you dressed that way?” she fingered the grey of the uniform. “It looks very authentic, someone did a good job. “ 53

“If you are coming to Charleston my Dear, I imagine you will be seeing a lot of these uniforms. But, speaking of dress, Why are you dressed as a man?  Only a blind man would see you are NOT a man, but most definitely a woman. 54

Anne looked into Daniels eyes, a niggling sense of reality reaching its fingers out to tug at her mind. “ No…it couldn’t be!” her thoughts screamed at her. “ This is an absurd dream and I will laugh at the realness of it in the morning!” 55

She started fumbling for the pocket watch.  She needed to see the picture again.  Her hands shaking she searched her pockets, “ DAMN IT…where is it?” 56

Daniel watched her frantic searching, finally reaching for her hands.  “What…what are you looking for?” 57

Her heart pounding in time with the throbbing in her head, she looked into his yes.  “ You are Danny, aren’t you?” 58

The anguish in her voice gave Daniel pause.  He looked at her again, trying to recognize her.   “ I don’t know you do I, but yes, my name is Daniel.” 59

Anne reached up and touched his face. "Danny...Daniel...please...what year is it?" 60

What?  What an odd question." 61

Anne struggled to her feet, the pain in her head pounding, the pain itself demanding his answer.  "Please Danny...this is VERY important.. the year?" 62

" 1861" 63

“ NO ….NO! This can't be real!“  Her world tilted, her vision went black, and like Alice, she felt herself tumble down the rabbit hole. 64