Full Speed Ahead: My Journey with Kit

Kit hands me a nickel for the trolley. It looks different from any nickel I’ve ever seen. It has a buffalo on one side and a Native American on the other. And it’s dated 1928. Of course my modern money would be useless here.

The trolley stop is on a busy corner with cars rushing by. There are trucks spewing smoke, horns honking, and people jostling each other. The trolley arrives and stops in front of us with a deafening squeal of brakes. People spill out onto the sidewalk. Kit starts to get on the trolley, but I hesitate. And then an obnoxious bell starts to clang so loudly that I can’t even hear myself think. It’s freaking Buddy out, too, so I pick him up in my arms.

Kit asks if I’ve ever ridden a trolley before, and I shake my head no. I tell her that my mom drives me in her car. And then I regret it. Whenever I say something that makes me sound pampered and privileged, it puts a distance between Kit and me. She shrugs and says that we have to hurry up or we’ll miss the trolley. She climbs onboard and I’m right behind her.

We pay our fares, but then, disaster! The trolley bell clangs again, and Buddy jumps out of my arms and disappears down the street. Kit and I yell for him at the top of our lungs.