“There’s a problem? You need to talk?”
Scott located his cousin in the train’s lounge car playing solitaire, which he learned was a sign she was brooding over something.
“No.”
Scott always appreciated straight direct answers and the word “no” certainly qualified. However, it was the tone Kinsey used on the delivery of the word “no” that got under Scott’s skin.
“I believe I have misspoken by presenting my statements in the form of questions. Let me try again.” Scott cleated his throat. “There’s a problem. You need to talk.”
Kinsey continued her game with no acknowledgment. Scott crossed his arms and sat back. It’s was lengthy ride to Washington. He could wait this one out.
Silence.
“You made a mistake. The red three should be on the black four.”
Kinsey corrected the card and quickly glanced up.
“Scott, you’re smirking.”
“I am.”
“You know I hate that.”
“I do.”
Silence.
“The black three doesn’t go…”
“Stop it!”
Kinsey gathered the cards in a heap, crossed her arms and sat back staring at her cousin. “I just don’t understand why we cannot go to New York City.”
Scott rolled his eyes. Let the history books show the Great New York City Debate started the night before on the train from Chicago over the evening meal.
*************
“Scott, I think we should go to New York City first and then to Philadelphia. What are a few more days?”
Exactly. A few more days here and a few more days there. They were now a solid week behind schedule. Murdoch was very generous in letting both the boys accompany Kinsey to visit her grandfather. In fact, it was his idea. Unfortunately, the ranch is not that generous and the chores had to be piling up. Also, the date of arriving in Philadelphia had changed every time Kinsey sent her grandfather a letter. The man has to be growing weary readjusting his appointment book. Making a strong argument Scott knew Kinsey’s next strategy would be to draw Johnny into the conversation with an enticing bit of information.
“I hear there’s a place called Madison Square Garden that hosts horse racing and boxing bouts.”
Bingo.
This trip certainly gave Scott plenty of time to figure out his cousin and he found great satisfaction in correctly guessing her next move. He made eye contact with Johnny - praying he could read Scott’s mind.
“As tempting as that sounds half-pint I have to agree with Scott. We need to get to Philadelphia.” Johnny blessed Kinsey with a sly grin. “I’m starting to think you might not want to see your grandfather.”
Kinsey hesitated. “That’s ridiculous. Of course I’m looking forward to seeing my grandfather.”
*************
Scott gathered up the cards Kinsey had haphazardly pushed into a pile and began to shuffle.
“Scott, what do you think you’re doing?”
“You’re the only one in this family who can play solitaire?”
Kinsey watched as Scott laid down the row of cards. “Tell you what young lady…once we go to Philadelphia and connect with your grandfather then maybe…and I mean, ....look at me Kinsey… MAYBE…we will take a day to see New York. Now, you can’t argue that one, can you?”
“No. I can’t.”
Silence.
Kinsey pointed. “You made a mistake. Red 10 on the Jack.”
Scott glanced up. “Kinsey, you’re smirking.”
“I am.”
“You know I hate that.”
“I do.”
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