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Seeing the wonder leave Anderson's face at his words, Scheel instantly regretted his question. "I meant no disrespect. It's not my place to ask something so personal, but I can see this is really bothering you. Look, I've been through a lot with my family and health problems. If you could see it like a family tee it would be more like a trunk with a timeline and no sign of reprieve, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Really I'm skeptical by nature and as an outsider just trying..." Scheel trailed off realizing the light in Anderson's eyes had dimmed and his journal, which he seemed to want to share, was put away.

Clearly he could see the luster of their talk was over and there was little to be done, but stage the need to leave the car. After closing its doors a speaker overhead announced the next stop being only minutes away. Since the stop was a mile from where he needed to be, Scheel decided he'd rather walk than bring this man any more discomfort.

Trying to salvage the conversation Scheel laughed half-heartedly, "It's not everyday I meet someone so interesting on the subway. I really do hope our paths cross again, Anderson. As far as the restful sleep is concerned, I've pretty much given up on that." Pointing this time to the deep lines under his eyes typical of a college student, Scheel gave one last attempt at a sideways smile and then offered his hand to the man across from him. Somehow right before his eyes, Anderson seemed to have aged as though they'd been on the same car for several years rather than minutes.

Scheel took Anderson's card with his left hand while readjusting the messenger bag with his right. He looked over the simple card stock and dropped it in one of the small side pockets under the bag's flap. "Thanks. I don't doubt we'll be seeing or hearing from one another again." In the same pocket he pulled out an index card an took a pen from a pouch in the flap. Scribbling his name and phone number Scheel tried to think about the last time he gave his information away. Unfortunately he determined they were all scholastic based and his last romantic interlude hardly involved the trading of even a name. With another crooked smile he handed over his card to Anderson.

A small boy and his mother linked by the hand entered from an adjoining car. The boy pointed to a spot near the exit several seats away from Scheel and Anderson. Not wanting to include anyone else in their conversation he lowered his voice to continue, "There's a lot of people I'd gladly walk in front of a bus for, but seriously there are very few friends or family I'd ever talk to about this."

The idea of sharing a meal with Anderson was comforting. Scheel was glad he hadn't caused a total awkward situation between them and their talk was civil enough to now be considered a friend.
Friend.

It had been a while since Scheel had taken anyone up on any kind of friendly outing. His last dinner out was with cohorts for a school project and before that a quaint family gathering last year.
"How can I refuse an invitation to curry. Granny might be sorry if she turns down an offer, but I don't like to live with regrets, so..." Scheel grinned showing his willingness to let the tension felt previously drain away to the offer of friendship. He extended his hand once more, hoping it wasn't strange that he secretly wanted to feel the warmth and security Anderson's grip had to offer. There was a familiarity to the old man that was growing on Scheel and with the connection they'd made, serious conversation held in a meet-cute place, and strangeness to their circumstances, Scheel suddenly didn't want to seperate from him.

There was however, the next exit looming over their seperation, and Scheel hadn't asked Anderson which stop he was taking. "I'd planned to take the next exit, will you be riding for a bit longer?"

Without hesitation the old man released his hold on the catcher and placed it far from reach under a seat. For all Scheel knew the old man could have some experience as a magician or be an expert in slight-of-hand. There was no way he'd believe the idea that the dream catcher could follow them. As Anderson stepped aside Scheel crouched down to make sure the catcher was still there. Seeing the outline and webbing he was satisfied and stood up and shrugged, "I'm just making sure you're not a Houdini! fan."

The train stopped and Scheel waited for Anderson to exit as the doors opened. "Look, if we're going to do this there should be a wager. I am a college student and that's just how we roll." He rolled his eyes in spite of himself and laughed, "It doesn't have to be a big bet, but something."

Scheel stepped off the train after Scheel and held out his hand in the direction of the street exit. "I propose, if we get to Francis Ave and you have to call transit to retrieve your catcher, you have to formally ask out Granny." Scheel waited for a reaction from Anderson.

Anderson laughed, gravelly and deep, and inclined his head. "A wager, hmm? Very well. Hardly seems like the losing side of the bet, though." He shouldered his bag and stepped out onto the street, taking a moment to get used to the stable ground. Give it till Underwood Avenue instead, if you're going that far, and you have a deal. If I win…"

The old man rubbed the stubble of his chin as they walked, contemplating. "If I win, you have to try the same stunt. Nothing so public…just move it somewhere else in your house and report back. Deal?"

He paused on the corner, sticking out one hand for a shake.

"I doubt a woman of her talents has a need for my company, but we shall see!" Francis street was already behind them, and Anderson's turn was rapidly approaching. He grinned as Scheel surrendered and obligingly opened his bag.

Sure enough, there was the catcher…sanguine cherry winking up at them from the darkness.

"I'll be expecting your surprised and humbled call tomorrow, no later than 9 please. Scheel, it was a pleasure." He extended his hand to the young man for one last shake, still grinning. Taking a last look down at the student from over the rims of his glasses, Anderson offered a farewell that meant more to them than it would to anyone else.

"Sweet dreams, lad! Don't let the night terrors bite!" With that, he turned to make his way down Underwood Avenue, waving casually back over one shoulder. His energy was depleted, and more than that, he could hear laughter in the back of his mind.

And it wasn't his laughter. Definitely time to sleep.