An Embarrassing Moment

The Last Train

We were living in Atlanta when Fermin and I went to visit a friend of ours.  Her husband had been in a coma for a while.  After that visit Fermin left to go on one of his out-of-state trips.  While he was out, “Mrs. Smith”, the lady we had gone to visit, called and ask to speak with my husband.  I told her that he was out-of-town and would not be back for a few days.  Mrs. Smith then went to tell me that Mr. Smith “had taken the last train”.  I immediately thought of Mr. Smith laying still with no movement whatsoever in his body, and thought “what a remarkable recovery” so I asked her “Where did he go?” I knew they were from New York and I thought he might have gone to visit family, and then I said “and you let him go by himself?” She composed herself and said “No, no Mr. Smith died” to which I said “I’m so sorry.”

I had heard “He bought the farm” or “He kicked the bucket” but never “He took the last train”.  I was so embarrassed - “and you let him go by himself?” what was I thinking!!!