Argosy Junction by Chautona Havig Page B

can stay here and write to you. That is very self-sacrificing of me; don’t you think?
    ‘My work is a big place. You would probably think it is very dirty and gray outside, but inside I think you’d like it very much. We use very hot torches that have blue and purple flames shoot from them. When they hit metal, they can cause brilliantly colored sparks to fly everywhere. I wear a mask to protect my face and eyes, special gloves to protect my hands, and a special jumpsuit so the sparks don’t burn my clothes. It’s very hot, but sometimes it looks like a bunch of fireworks all going off at once.
    ‘After work, I’ll ride the RUT home. RUT stands for Rockland Underground Transit. It’s a subway system with electric trains running under the entire city to take all of us where we need to go. It’s much faster than trying to drive on the streets, and where I live, not a lot of people have cars. My dad has a car though, so when we want to go somewhere, we can.
    ‘I am going to a movie on Friday night. I’m going to see a movie about a guy who pretends to work for terrorists so he can find out how they’ll hurt America and then tell the President so the President can stop them. But, the terrorists find out that he’s telling the President, and they try to kill him. The movie is about how he gets away and stops them for good. I don’t think you’d like it, but it kind of made me think of Nathan Hale. Remember I told you about him? I’ll eat some popcorn for you.
    ‘I have to go now if I’m going to have any time left to write Lane. I’ll send an email soon too.
    ‘Still missing all of you,
    Matt’”
     
    Inside, Rose stole covert glances as Lane read her letter. Aware that her new friend was judging the depth of her relationship with Matt based upon how much she shared of the letter, Lane passed it to Rose when she was finished. While Rose read, Lane rearranged embroidered pillowcases in the bedroom portion of the shop and wondered how many people purchased something so unfashionable.
     
    Dear Lane,
    A letter from you and Patience so soon was the last thing I expected and the nicest thing I could have received. Thank you! I got home Monday, tired, and there were your letters waiting for me. How did I not notice you were left handed? I know you ate right handed; I’d have noticed if I kept bumping your hand during dinner. You must be ambidextrous which is, of course, quite impressive.
    Has Tad read any L’Amour yet? How about you? Have you ever read anything by “America’s Storyteller?” What do you like to read? Curious men in big cities thousands of miles away want to know.
    Have you met the woman at the gift shop yet? I really think she could be a friend. I know you all feel like you’ve been betrayed, and it isn’t worth it, but I could have been like the Brethren, and yet, you gave me a chance.
    I confess, I’d planned to write more, but I took so much time describing my work and a movie to Patience, that my lunch hour is almost over. I really need to say good-bye, but I’ll write again soon. May I say—well, whether you want me to or not, I will say—I’m enjoying our correspondence. I—Well, there’s the first whistle
    Just call me Sparky, (ask Patience what that means)
    Matt
     
    ~*~*~*~
     
    Matt stared at his bank statement. Staying with the Argosys had saved him a lot of money. He’d been tempted to offer to pay for his room, but suspected it would insult them, so he hadn’t. Now he saw that he’d come home with several hundred more dollars than he’d anticipated. His first thought was that this was enough to buy another ticket to Montana anytime he wished.
    He glanced up from the couch and saw his mom on the computer; she’d been there playing mahjong since he got home from work. He’d be able to get on tomorrow, since his mother spent Saturdays at the flea market and then grocery shopping with her friends. His dad would shuffle around the house, turn on golf, and then saunter