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Low sunlight peered through the shuttered windows of a small bedroom. Dust floated in the air, dancing through the thin rays of light before disappearing. Halfway illuminated in the late afternoon glow stood one Jonathan Harker, surrounded on all sides by open luggage and unsorted clothing.
His face was one of deep thought, before altering to that of worry, then fear, then acceptance, then a continuous mixture of them all. His hands rubbed themselves absentmindedly, and his left foot was continuously tapping the floor.
At the moment, Jonathan simply did not know what he was feeling.
There was definitely excitement, of that he was sure of. Also a great deal of stress, for who wouldn’t be in his position? Perhaps some child-like glee as well? He failed to remember any instance in his life that he felt such a strange combination of emotions all at once.
For in the next few days, he would be far off and away from his little home in Exeter. He was being sent on a trip abroad. His first trip abroad. His first business trip abroad. And he wondered to himself if each of his trips would induce such a confusing array of feelings.
He thought back to how he had been informed of it. He was at the firm, case files and documents in hand, when one of his fellow clerks had told him that he was wanted at Mr. Hawkins’ home, of there being some kind of emergency. When he arrived, he was shocked to discover a doctor, and was soon told that Mr. Hawkins had been struck with an attack of gout. “Ill-fit to travel” was what the physician had said. And so Mr. Hawkins, unable to rise out of bed, much less traverse half of Europe, was in need of someone to send in his place.
And he had chosen Jonathan.
“It is a simple matter, and should not take too long,” the bedridden Mr. Hawkins had told him to ease his concerns. “Just a real estate purchase, and one you’re already familiar with at that,” which was true. Jonathan had been the one to find the estate suitable to their client’s specific requests. Nonetheless, the thought of going in Mr. Hawkins’ stead still filled him with all sorts of anxiety.
What if the client thought that he was inexperienced? What if they were displeased that Mr. Hawkins himself did not come? Would they think that their concerns were not important enough? Or perhaps they would simply have no more desire to be their client at all, and would seek another firm to aid them! To Jonathan, these were all likely and valid concerns to have.
Not so to Mr. Hawkins however, who had complete confidence in Jonathan, and had no trouble telling him so. “You’re a smart one, my friend. I have seen you grow and rise and become the best man you can be. Have no fears.” It was through these simple and dear words of encouragement, and the fact he had to think of his career prospects, that Jonathan finally agreed to go, albeit hesitantly.
Now Jonathan stood in his home, ready to begin packing his belongings, only to become overridden by his fears once more. Seeking a distraction, he looked over at his desk, where lied a letter Mr. Hawkins had entrusted with him to personally deliver to their foreign client, who resided in some remote region of Eastern Europe. Transylvania, Jonathan remembered. He eagerly took out his journal and made a reminder to himself to study all he could about the area’s culture and inhabitants. The last thing he wanted was to appear ignorant to their client, or worse, offend them in some way. He couldn’t bear the thought of facing Mr. Hawkins if such a thing were to happen. What could he do then? Quit? Tell Mr. Hawkins, ill and sick as he was, that his faith was misplaced? Would his career be over? What else could he do? What would he tell his dear fiancée, Mina?
Knock knock.
Jonathan looked up. The knocking had interrupted his bleak musings, but he didn’t know who it could be. Opening it, he was pleasantly surprised to see his dear fiancée in question.
“Mina! What are you doing here?” he said, stepping aside as she made her way in. “I thought you still had work to do at the schoolhouse.”
“I wanted to come by and help, so I’m having Kate finish my duties. Have you not started packing yet?” She began to look around his small room. It was on rare occasions that she had ever stepped foot inside, and even then only briefly.
“Oh. I was just going to. I’m simply… thinking over everything I need for my trip.” Jonathan closed the door and walked to her side.
“You should write down a list. I would hate to think of you at the station with all your luggage, only to be reminded of some important thing you have forgotten to take with you.” As she said this, she sat down at his desk, and looked down at the letter sadly. “Like dear Mr. Hawkins’ letter. Have you heard anything about his condition?”
“When I last spoke to the doctor, I was told that Mr. Hawkins was no longer in as much pain as he was before,” Jonathan said, a frown forming on his face. “I can only hope he will recover soon.”
Mina looked at Jonathan for a second before taking his hands and slowly pulling him down so they were eye level. “I hope so too. But I also hope you won’t stress yourself thinking about it. It’ll do you no good.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Jonathan said, though he did not sound committed to the thought.
“What is it that worries you?”
“Nothing,” he said, a little too quickly.
“Jonathan.”
He paused before speaking again. “I don’t… It’s just a lot happening all at once, with the trip, and my examination, and Mr. Hawkins, and us…”
Mina squeezed his hands gently. “I know, my dear. But we’re going to take it one step at a time, right? I mean, it’s not all bad. Take a look at all the wonderful things happening! Your examination’s done. You’re going on a trip, where I’m sure you will meet all sorts of people and see all sorts of sights! Taste all kinds of exotic dishes!” Jonathan smiled a little, prompting Mina to continue. “And when you come back, I’m sure Mr. Hawkins will be much healthier, especially after he’s seen all the good work you will have done. There’s a reason he chose to send you in his place, after all.”
“I do need the experience.”
“No, my dear,” she said with her own smile, “it’s because he trusts you. The firm trusts you. I trust you.” She once more squeezed his hands, to let him know she was being sincere.
His smile widened back at her. “Thank you. I think I needed to hear that.”
“If you ever need to hear it again, just let me know.” She then took out her journal and pen as Jonathan stood up, and sat them down on the desk. “So, let’s begin with that list then.”
“Well,” Jonathan said, looking around his room, “I suppose… I will have to bring along several articles of clothing.”
Mina began writing in her journal. “How long will your trip be, again?” she asked without looking up.
“Oh, not too long. I’ll only be there to help the client with the purchase of some land, so it will likely just be a week, maybe longer.”
“A week? Will it be a difficult purchase?”
“No, but I will likely have to explain some finer details and answer a few questions. The client is a foreigner after all. A nobleman of some stature.” Jonathan perused his small assortment of clothes.
“A nobleman?”
“Yes, as far as I can recall.”
“Well, I’m sure this nobleman will be eager to show you all the sights of his country. Transylvania, was it?”
Jonathan blinked at her. “Yes, you remembered.”
“It’s a lot easier now that I’ve started journaling more often,” Mina said, scribbling in said journal. “So, what documents will you need to bring?”
Jonathan looked at some folders at the side of his desk as he folded his clothes. “I’ve already sorted out all my papers. I have my travel ones, and the ones regarding the client’s new estate. As well as some pictures.”
Mina perked up at the mention of pictures. “Does that mean you have the Kodak with you?”
“No,” Jonathan said with an apologetic look. “Sorry, I’m afraid it’s at the firm right now.”
“Oh. Well, that’s alright. You can show it to me when you get back.” Mina mused to herself as she continued to write in her journal. “Hmm. What else, what else.”
“My clothes,” Jonathan said, looking down at his folded laundry.
“Yes.”
“My papers.”
“Yes.”
“My toiletry?”
“Of course, that too.” Mina prodded her chin with her pen, a look of deep thought on her face that Jonathan found amusing to look at. “What about a dictionary?”
“A dictionary?”
“Yes. Won’t you need one if you’re to understand what people are saying?”
“I suppose I will. But from what I know the client speaks well-enough English. And surely my German will be enough,” Jonathan said, sitting down at a small table and taking out his journal.
“Perhaps, but Transylvania is quite a ways away. Besides, it’ll be good to learn a bit of the local vocabulary on the off chance you might need to travel back for work.”
“That is true. Alright then, I’ll write down a reminder to buy a dictionary.” Jonathan began writing. They sat quietly in that manner for some time, finding comfort in the other’s presence, each writing in their respective journals, thinking about any other details for Jonathan’s trip.
“What train will you be departing on? I would like to be there to see you off.”
Jonathan told her, and from inside her coat Mina got out her Bradshaw’s guide to copy into her journal. Jonathan, seeing this, came behind Mina to look at the train schedules she was copying down.
“Mina, you don’t have to write down every train I’ll be taking.”
“I may not have to Jonathan, but I want to. There is something grand about the various paths, intersecting and crossing each other, which make up the schedule of railways. What’s more, I find comfort in knowing where you’ll be during your travels.”
The comment made Jonathan blush a little and smile once again, which in turn made him realize how much more he smiled when Mina was around. He then made a promise to himself that on his next trip, wherever it may be, he would find some way to take Mina along with him.
In the brief moment of silence between the two, a church bell rang out in the distance. Mina looked out the window to see the late afternoon had already turned into early evening.
“Oh, I hadn’t realized how late it had become.” Mina stood up and gathered the few items she had brought with her. “I guess… I should be heading back,” she said, although her tone of voice suggested she didn’t really want to leave.
Jonathan stood up as well. “I’ll… walk you to the station.”
The two of them made their way to the door, then outside, where they slowly made their way down the street in comfortable silence with each other. The day’s heat could still be felt, but a cool breeze made their walk a pleasant one. A few other people were out as well, including some couples, but they were mostly alone. They held each other’s arms in a fashion contrary to the proper etiquette Mina taught at the schoolhouse, but as it was dark and quiet, and the atmosphere so serene, neither of them gave much thought to the idea of etiquette.
When they reached the station, they finally separated themselves from the other. Jonathan faced Mina, the two of them standing in front of the doors to the train carriage.
“Thank you for coming by today. I know you didn’t need to,” Jonathan said.
“Don’t think anything of it,” she responded. Mina paused for a moment, trying to remember what she wanted to say as she stepped into the carriage. “Oh! Be sure not to forget your journal when you leave!! And be sure to write often! I want to know everything that happens on your trip: the food, the people, the land.”
“I’ll write everything down, I promise.”
A whistle pierced through the air, signaling that the train would be departing soon.
“Well, goodbye Jonathan, I’ll see you tomorrow. Hopefully.”
“Goodbye Mina. Oh, give my best to Kate! And Lucy when you see her.”
“I will!” Mina said, as the carriage had begun to move. Jonathan waved farewell as the train picked up speed and started to leave the station. His last sight of Mina was her waving back before heading inside the carriage. Jonathan watched the train leave, growing ever smaller in the distance. He smiled to himself, content. There were still some worries in the back of his mind regarding the trip, but they were much milder now, and not nearly as stress-inducing as they were earlier in the day. He realized that he really did worry too much sometimes, and that, in all likelihood, the trip would be no trouble at all.
He turned around and began to walk home, still smiling.