The next morning when the Alden children woke up, they smelled something delicious from the kitchen. They dressed quickly and ran downstairs. Mrs. McGregor, their housekeeper, was making scrambled eggs and sausage.
“That smells great!” said Henry, taking a stack of plates from the cabinet. As he began setting the table, Jessie and Violet got glasses and poured orange juice. Benny put out forks and napkins.
“Looks like a beautiful day,” Mrs. McGregor said, bringing the steaming plate of eggs to the table.
“It sure does,” Grandfather agreed, joining them. Sunlight streamed in the window and the sky was bright blue.
Breakfast tasted as good as it smelled. As the children ate, they talked about what they would do that day. They were just putting their dishes in the sink when the doorbell rang. Watch ran barking to the front hall.
“Who could that be so early?” Mrs. McGregor said.
“I’ll go see!” Benny cried, hurrying to the door.
When Benny pulled open the front door, he was surprised to see Professor Murray and Claire. With them was a woman he’d never seen before. She was tall, with freckles and curly reddish-brown hair.
“Hello!” Benny said in his friendly way.
“Good morning,” said Professor Murray.
Claire smiled shyly.
The other Aldens joined Benny at the front door.
“Won’t you come in?” Grandfather asked.
“Thank you,” Professor Murray said, stepping into the front hall. He motioned to the woman beside him. “Please allow me to introduce Amelia, a fellow railroad fan. We met at the library and I mentioned your boxcar.”
Amelia smiled and jumped in. “I just had to see it. I hope you don’t mind that I came.”
“Not at all,” said Henry.
“We’d love to show you our boxcar,” Jessie added.
“Thank you,” Professor Murray said.
“Yes, thanks,” Amelia added.
“Please excuse me for not joining you,” Grandfather said. “I need to finish packing for my business trip.”
As they walked out of the house, Violet noticed a purple car parked at the curb in front of their house. She nudged Claire. “Is that Amelia’s car?”
“Yes,” Claire replied.
“Wow — nice color,” Violet said softly. Purple was her favorite.
Claire smiled.
Once again, Benny led the way to the backyard, with Watch at his heels.
As the boxcar came into view, Amelia’s face lit up. “It’s just like I imagined!” she said.
“May we go in?” Professor Murray asked, stepping up on the stump in front of the door.
“Of course,” said Jessie.
Professor Murray rolled open the door, and Amelia followed him inside. The children stayed outside with Watch.
“I have a dog at home,” Claire said, stroking Watch’s furry back. “Her name’s Charlotte. We couldn’t bring her with us, though — my Aunt Flo’s allergic.”
“You can come play with Watch whenever you’re missing Charlotte,” Benny said.
“Thanks. I’d like that,” said Claire.
Amelia stepped out of the boxcar, a big smile on her face. “This is truly a special place,” she said.
“Are you a train professor, too?” Benny asked.
“Me? Oh, no,” Amelia laughed. “No,
I … well, I just like old trains. That’s all.” She laughed again, but this time it sounded a little forced. “So has the boxcar always been here?” she asked.
“No, our grandfather moved it to the backyard for us when we came to live with him,” Henry explained. “But we found it not so far from here.”
“Really?” Amelia asked, sounding quite interested. “In Silver City?”
Jessie’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Actually, yes,” she said. “How did you know that?”
“Oh, just a lucky guess,” Amelia said. “Is it true that you used to live in it?”
“I know that sounds strange,” Jessie said, nodding.
Amelia smiled mysteriously. “I’ve heard stranger stories.” She ran her hand over the outside of the boxcar. Her face had a distant look, as if she was deep in thought.
“Is something wrong?” Benny asked.
Benny’s question seemed to shake Amelia out of her thoughts. “No, nothing’s wrong. I was just trying to picture a family living in here.”
“It was a good home,” Jessie said.
Just then, Professor Murray emerged from the boxcar. “Thanks for letting us see this again,” he said. “I do wish you’d consider giving it to a museum. They could put it on display and make sure it isn’t damaged. Talk it over with your grandfather, will you?”
The Aldens were stunned. They didn’t think they could ever give their boxcar away. But they didn’t want to be rude, so Jessie said, “We’ll think about it.”
Professor Murray gave a satisfied nod. “Well, come along, Claire,” he called as he and Amelia walked away.
Claire looked up from patting Watch. Watch was wagging his tail, enjoying all the attention. Claire gave him one last pat, then stood up reluctantly and ran to catch up with her father.
When the Aldens returned to the house, Grandfather was coming down the stairs with a large suitcase. He was leaving soon for a business trip.
“Do you have to go away already?” Benny asked.
“Don’t worry, Benny,” Grandfather said. “I’ll be back before you know it. While I’m gone, I know you’ll all help Mrs. McGregor take care of things.”
“Of course we will,” Jessie said.
“Did Professor Murray’s friend like the boxcar?” Grandfather asked.
“Yes … but Professor Murray wants us to give our boxcar away,” said Benny, setting his face in a frown.
“He does?” Mr. Alden said, surprised. “To whom?”
“To a museum. He said it’s too valuable for kids to use as a playhouse,” Jessie explained.
“Hmm,” said Grandfather. “I’m sure the boxcar is valuable — but you four take good care of it, and I know it means a lot to you. I’m sure it’s perfectly safe here.”
The children smiled. They’d known Grandfather would understand.
Mr. Alden checked his watch. “I’d better get going or I’ll miss my flight.” He set down his suitcase and gave each of the children a hug.
“We’ll miss you,” Violet said.
“Yeah, who will be our goalie?” asked Benny.
“Try Mrs. McGregor,” said Mr. Alden over his shoulder as he headed out to the garage.
The children smiled. Somehow they couldn’t quite picture Mrs. McGregor out in the yard playing soccer.
The children spent the afternoon in the boxcar playing board games. When Mrs. McGregor called them in for dinner, they put the games away neatly and tucked the chairs under the table.
As they stepped out of the boxcar, Benny felt some raindrops on his face. “It’s starting to rain,” he said. “Make sure the door is shut tightly.”
Violet slid the door shut and gave it a pat. Then they all ran to the house to eat.
It rained all through dinner, and while the Aldens washed the dishes, and when they were getting ready for bed, too. It was still raining when Jessie read Benny two chapters in his book before tucking him into bed. The book was a mystery story, Benny’s favorite kind. Jessie and Benny talked about the suspects in the book and who the bad guy might be.
“Maybe it’s the man who lives next door,” Benny said.
“Could be,” said Jessie mysteriously. “Or maybe not — you’ll have to wait and see.” Jessie had read the book when she was Benny’s age, and she remembered the ending. “We’ll read more tomorrow. Now it’s bedtime.”
“Just one more chapter?” Benny begged.
“No. It’s definitely time for bed.” Jessie’s voice was firm.
“All right,” said Benny, snuggling down under his covers.
Jessie smoothed Benny’s blanket and turned off the light. “Good night,” she called, closing his door behind her.
Benny lay on his side, listening to the rain falling outside. He thought about his book and wondered whether the man next door really was the bad guy. He thought about all the characters, wishing Jessie had read just a little bit more. He wondered what would happen in the next chapter.
Benny shifted onto his other side and thought about Professor Murray and what he had said about the boxcar. Did Professor Murray really think the boxcar was haunted? Was that why he didn’t think the Aldens should play in it?
Just then, Benny heard a noise outside. He sat up in bed. What was that? He went quickly to the window and looked out. The backyard was dark. But then Benny spotted something that made him gasp.
“I don’t believe it!” he said out loud. “The boxcar really is haunted!” |