Prompt Word: Champagne
Minervie and Chip 43
Gungan was still not talking clearly, but he didn’t have to avoid using his lips now, “I passed their English dictation test. They won’t let us be a citizen, they won’t let us vote, but by passing their White Australian test, my mother and then I were allowed to stay in the city where I was born. Now, even that is being stolen from me.”
Minervie said, “I am not going to force you to come with me, or get on this train we’re waiting for. I also didn’t volunteer to give up your heritage, you forced me to. That said, I do feel that I can give you a place to heal. I just can’t do it here, I have kin to get back to. If you feel you have no choice, it is not me who is forcing you to use my option, I’m the one offering an option.”
Gungan knew she was right, but he wasn’t happy about it. He sighed, “I’m sorry. I am not accusing you, but my life, it turns upside-down in one day.”
Minervie stood, “Looks like the train is coming.” Then she walked near the train to try to get a conductor’s attention before it was fully stopped. She started following the car the conductor was on, and as it slowed, she jumped onto the foothold.
Gungan wasn’t sure what was being said, but they were definitely heated. He tried to make himself smaller, as they were both gesturing towards his person.
Soon enough Minervie yelled over to Gungan, “Come along,” and started walking toward the back of the train. She got on the third to last car, and then into a private cabin.
“I had to pay for this all the way up to Queensborough, even though we’re only going 70 some miles.” She pointed to him the bottle of Champagne on ice, and said, “You might as well drink it, we can’t take it off the train.”
Gungan shook his head, “I don’t drink.” She stared at him, “And please don’t make me again.”
Minervie gave a deep sigh, “That was medicine. And YOU were a bartender.”
Gungan nodded, “Exactly.”
Link to first post: https://wandering.shop/@vollink/115822535377889680