Epilogue

“Sir, can I help you?” I snap out of my reverie. I'm standing in the lower level of the Los Angeles Metro Rail System. I had leaned my head against the cool wall of this cave-like place, momentarily disoriented by the very confusing map of routes and timetables and and prices and the events of the past few days. I have spent nearly all my money, now; the motel last night was a surprise expense, and surprisingly expensive. In front of me there is a tall, slender young man. For some reason he is wearing lightweight cotton gloves.  He is soft spoken, earnest-looking and right now, yeah, I do need help.

But I am a little confused, and a bit wary.

“I have to get to the airport," I say. “I have a flight at ten p.m.”

“Oh, you have plenty of time,” he says. “Here, I'll show you.” He walks over to the huge map, backlit and confusing. With his finger, he traces out the routes I must take, and the changes I must make to get to the airport.

I take a pen and my scrap of notebook paper from my bag and write down his directions. It is all color coded and seems easy enough. Red, Blue, Green, and Shuttle. I turn to the young guy.

"Thank you. What are you doing, Christian work?” He smiles.

“You're welcome. And I am a Christian, but actually, I get paid to do this.” I look around. This vast cavern is empty except for him and me. “After they got the trains going, they found out that the maps and the ticket machines were not all that intuitive. So they hired us to stand down here helping people sort things out.”

“So you spend your days down here under the ground helping lost people find their way home?”

He smiles. He has a very handsome face. His voice is calm and comforting and it is easy to envision him in a white clerical collar and a black suit. Suddenly, I am near tears.

“Something like that.” He turns and points. “That's your gate over there. Just follow the signs and you'll be fine. Good luck.” He turns and walks away a few steps to where a couple of European-looking kids have approached with loaded bicycles. I guess they let you take bicycles on the train. I look at the bicycles for a moment. He starts talking to them, then pauses. He turns back and looks at me. The two kids with the bicycles look at me also.  They all smile.  I'm between them and the map.  I'm finished here and in the way.

I shoulder my bag and head through the gate.  I'm going home, now.

Whispering Pines Trailer Park and Confessional
#99