Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 117820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 589(@200wpm)___ 471(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 589(@200wpm)___ 471(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
I do as I’m told, finally slipping into an easy sleep. Trying not to worry or panic about the future or how much trouble I might get into if I get caught.
Wearing clothes not mine, with a bag full of my savings, and my phone fully charged, sandwiches packed, and a belly not growling with hunger, I climb off the bus and step into San Antonio.
I’ve never felt like such a dick before. Why did I do this? This is terrifying. I have no idea where to go or if she still even lives here. I have no idea what to say to her.
But first I need to figure out how to get there.
I wander around aimlessly for a while, stopping at a little café on a bustling city street. I ask them if they know the area but they don’t speak great English and then they usher me on when I ask their customers too.
My stomach is clenching with nausea. Why oh why did I do this?
I think back to this morning when Felicia caught me sneaking out wearing her clothes that Kane took from her closet. She could have flipped her shit and called my mee-maw but instead she sat me down, made me a killer breakfast and asked me about my night.
Kane wasn’t here to save me, he’d already left for work at the garage with his dad. Kane whose chest I woke up on like it was mine to rest on. Kane who had his arms wrapped around me tight. Kane who did what he could to hide his morning boner from me so I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.
“I’m a virgin I didn’t do anything,” I blurted as she poured coffee.
“I ain’t judgin’,” she replied, smiling sweetly.
“I just needed somewhere to stay.”
“Of course.” She handed me a coffee. It was my first ever coffee. It’s the vilest thing I’ve ever tasted. “I’m bettin’ your folks don’t know where you’re at.”
“No and please don’t tell them. They know I’m safe but—”
When my eyes filled with tears she placed her hand on my wrist. “I ain’t a mother, I ain’t a role model, I ran away when I was a teen so my daddy wouldn’t touch me no more.”
Her story had my lips parting.
“I got myself into some heavy shit. It wasn’t until I was seventeen and woke up on a strange lady’s couch, gums aching from all the coke I’d rubbed on them, head spinning, stomach retching, that I finally turned my life around. She made me breakfast, she gave me coffee, she gave me a shoulder in those moments. A shoulder if I’d gotten it months before, I might not have become addicted, I might not have put myself in dangerous situations.” She squeezed my wrist. “I know a lost soul when I see one. And if y’all ever need a place to crash, I ain’t gonna turn you away. You hear?”
“You’re so nice. My mee-maw would close the door.”
She grinned and lifted a shoulder. “Well, she ain’t no proper church goin’ woman now is she?” She sipped her coffee and levelled me with a comforting look. “Sometimes, breakfast with somebody who cares can be the deciding factor between life or death.”
I froze, going wide eyed. “Did Kane tell you?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said in a way that let me know she knew exactly what I was talking about.
Then she rounded the table, kissed my hair like a mother should and gave my shoulder a squeeze.
I want to return the favor; I want to make her feel validated and reassured like I do. “I probably shouldn’t tell you, but last night I called you stepmom to Kane.”
“Hmm?”
“He corrected me and said you’re his mom, not his stepmom.”
Her eyes filled with tears immediately, but she smiled through them. “That boy has a big heart. It’s just a shame he has louder fists.”
Then I went to Poppy’s and picked up my stuff, my bag with the money, my phone and my clothes. I messaged her telling her to let everyone know that I’m safe. I imagine they’ll all be worried and that makes me want to go back even less. I don’t want to see their disappointment in me. I’m such a coward.
I should have stayed longer. I shouldn’t have done this. This city is huge and scary. I’ve never seen so many people in one place before. I’m pushed, shoved, stepped on, sworn at and almost fall onto the road twice.
Why is everybody in such a rush?
I find a traffic cop who is really nice and tells me the directions to get to where I need to be. When I tear up because it’s all lefts and rights and streets I don’t recognize, he hails me a cab.
It takes me all the way to Dellcrest Forest and stops outside a brownstone building with a broken front door and young men sitting on the steps. I pay the cab fare and hike my bag over my shoulder, hoping I don’t get mugged and lose every penny I have.