text: “What are you doing?” The little boy asked. The old man seemed startled, how did he not see him? “I’m sweeping the train tracks.” The old man replied. “Why?” “Well... they don’t have the money to keep the track clean like they used to. It wouldn’t do for the tracks to get cluttered.” He said, brushing aside some rocks on the tracks. “Can I help?” The little boy asked, picking up a branch to use like a broom. “Where’s your mama? Won’t she be worried about you?” “No. I just have to be back for dinner. I play in the woods a lot. Do you ever play mister? My daddy says grownups don’t play but I think that’s boring.” “I used to play in these woods every day when I was your size...” more debris was swept away. “Here, why don’t you help clean the outside of the tracks? There like that, good. Careful now, always keep your eye out for the train a comin’.” “Why? I’ll hear it. I’ve got the best ears around!..” The boy proudly proclaimed. “I can hear anything!” The old man chuckled. “Oh yeah? What’s that squirrel doin?” “That’s easy, he’s chewing on a nut! Gimme something harder.” “Oh ho, well then can you hear that chickadee off in the distance?” The boy went quiet for a while, trying to listen to the woods around him. Finally his shoulders slumped and he shook his head no. “That’s because there isn’t one there.” The old man said with a mischievous grin. “No fair you cheated! You cheated!” The boy complained. “Alright, you got me. I can’t compete with the best I see. Here boy, will you help me move this big branch here?” “I can do it myself, watch!” The boy ran around and started to tug on the fallen branch. After a little effort from both of them they were able to pull it mostly off the tracks, and the little boy broke off some of the smaller ends. The sun was getting low in the sky at this point; they’d been walking and talking most of the afternoon. They were in the middle of singing a song from the old mans childhood when the little boy felt a shove and landed in the dirt. “Oww. Why’d you... oh no!” The little boy turned around to see the train rolling by. Why hadn’t he heard it? He didn’t see his new friend. That meant... Tears filled his eyes, his new friend was gone. He should have been listening! He should have... “Ta daa.” The old man said with a smile. He was standing on the train tracks completely fine. “What? But... where did you?” The asked in between sniffles. “Magic...” the old man said with a wink, “and a magician never reveals his secrets.” “I’m glad you’re okay.” The little boy said, running up and hugging his knees. The old man wobbled for a moment unsteady. “Whoa there, I’m not as sturdy as I used to be. I’m glad you’re okay too.” “Is my husband bothering you?” A voice said with mock frustration. It belonged to an old woman who was walking towards them from the train station they had reached. “No. I was helping him today. We cleaned the train tracks.” The boy said proudly. “And you were an excellent helper, now do you know how to get home? Don’t want to be late for supper.” “Aww do I have to?” The boy complained. “I’m afraid so dearie, you don’t want your mother to worry do you?” The old woman said. “Okay. Can I come back again?” “Well I don’t know...” the man pretended to think about it. “Please?” The boy begged. “I suppose so. As long as you promise to be careful. You know where to find me.” “Okay. Bye!” The boy said as he ran off. The couple stood there for a while, hand in hand. “You almost had to take him with you today.” The old man said. “But I didn’t, thanks to you. The rest of us miss you, you know.” “I know, but I can’t...” “We know. We’re proud of what you’re doing. I’m proud of what you’re doing.” “I don’t want somebody else to end up the way we did.” “I know. I love you.” “I love you too.” The two shared a long embrace as another train passed through them, never knowing they were there. Once it was gone the old woman turned and faded away, and the man set off once again down the tracks.