The return trip

So, Monday around 3:00 I get a phone call from Todd. He received a phone call from Christopher. Apparently Christopher received a text message from Amtrak indicating that his return train was cancelled due to a "service disruption." The text instructed to call an "800" number. So, the boy called his dad, then his dad called me, only to ask me what to do. How about calling the "800" number guys? Oh wait, never mind, I'm Mom and I will handle it for both of you since you know how to call each other and me but not follow the simple instruction given by Amtrak's courtesy text. Yeah, I'm slightly annoyed.

I called the "800" number. The Amtrak customer service representative told me that there was a freight train derailment in Bryan, OH. Since the disruption is further east than Christopher's stop, she instructed me to have him leave Beloit College and head to Union Station in Chicago to catch his train. I called Pher, gave him the instructions, and all was well...

... Until 8:30 Fort Wayne time (7:30 Chicago time) when I received a phone call from Christopher telling me that the train is indeed cancelled and they told him that he's now stranded in Chicago. They don't know when rail service will begin because it was a HAZMAT spill on the tracks, over 20 rail cars involved, and damage to the tracks. So, I'm in Fort Wayne, Todd's in class until 9:50, and Christopher is stranded in Chicago. I called Amtrak. They do not offer alternate transportation or accommodations for distressed passengers, but they gave me my $26 for the ticket. Somehow that didn't offer much stress relief. Now I'm really annoyed.

I called Pher. No answer. I texted Pher. No response. I called again. No answer. Again. No answer. Again... and no answer. I gave him about 30 minutes and called again. He picked up. "Why the hell haven't you answered your phone? I'm freaking out here. You're stuck in Chicago!" He said, "Don't worry, Momma. I'm fine. You freak out too easy. Cool, there's a statue of Christopher Columbus!"

Turns out he was walking around Navy Pier, the parks, the museums, the labyrinth of skyscrapers, in downtown Chicago at around 9:30 at night. He's feeling great about it. I'm ready to vomit.

Rational Barb must have slapped me, because I suddenly remembered that Todd has a cousin that lives in Chicago. I called him. He's in the western suburbs, but he will gladly go and pick Christopher up and bring him to his house. Then I remembered a friend from high school (who we saw the Saturday before this). Todd has her number. He called her as soon as he got out of class. She lives in Indiana just east of Chicago. She took down Pher's cell, Todd called Pher with her cell, she drove to Chicago and rescued Pher from the streets. Todd drove to her home and brought him back home to us. Safe and sound.

His only response was... "Downtown Chicago sucks but the parks are nice."

More on his Beloit visit later...