It was a bit of a walk for both of us, but the stream that went under the tracks also led into the lake, and Tobin and I spent a lot of time in that lake together. It’s also the fastest way to get to town aside from walking alongside the road. I walked up the gravel mound the tracks rested on and started balance-walking on the rails. “Your hand in mine.” Tobin would tease, and we’d try to walk on the rails holding hands, but I know Eamon died on these tracks, and suddenly my legs feel weak. Eamon may have died along here somewhere, but this is also when I knew I’d lost my grandma. My grandma, the democrat. The woman who fought with Dad for me when Mom didn’t, which was often. The woman who loved Tobin like one of her own. *** I stumbled on the railroad tracks, knowing it was the fastest way to Tobin, but not being able to see through my tears. Our phone conversation had been short. Just long enough for him to know my dad was gone, my mom was asleep, and my grandma just died.
