The Victoria Napolitano Bookstore The Hat Box Affair | Page 12

“Oh, hi mom,” Paige responded.
“I was just thinking of the adventure
I’m going to have,” smiling at her
mother’s comment.
“Well, you realize it is not safe traveling alone these days,” Eleanor said
setting the lilac soaps and powders
into Paige’s suitcase.
“I will be fine, mother,” Paige said
looking over her filled suitcase to
make sure everything was in place
and organized. Paige had a different
carry-on with just books and writing
paper.
Beep, beep
“The taxi is here,” Paige said excitedly. “Mom, I will call when I get to
Zurich.”
“Oh dear, have a wonderful time
and be careful,” Eleanor said waving
good-bye as Paige jumped into the
cab.
Once Paige arrived at the train station she looked around with great
anticipation. I can’t believe I am
here, Paige thought to herself. Yes,
Paige had been on a train before, but
not for a school project that involved
her love of poetry.
“Madam, is this yours?” a man said
holding out a scarf.
Paige grabbed the area around her
neck and looked up at the stranger,
“Why yes, that’s mine,” Paige said,
appreciative of the stranger’s chivalrous gesture.
Paige reached out to retrieve her scarf
and the man held onto it.
Paige looked up at the big man, feeling uncomfortable.
“Thank you,” Paige repeated as she
tried to pull the scarf from the big
man.
His eyes went dark and intense as an
evil grin flashed across his unattractive face.
“You are quite beautiful,” the man
said as he held tightly to the scarf.