Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

CAITRONIA

Once I hear from Charlie that it’s a go for me to come, I breathe a sigh of relief. Then, to save time and money I can’t afford, I donate almost everything I own to the local relief shelter. All I keep is what’s important and things I will need. Childhood memories of Charlie and me are the first things I pack. I know I told Charlie a week, but I want to be there in three days. To be honest, the rent is due today and I can’t afford another month for just a week. So, I have to be out by 11:59.

Eleven PM and I drop my keys in the payment box as the landlord told me to. Then I head out. I will sleep in the car tonight at a rest stop thirty minutes away. Goddess, I hope Charlie doesn’t find out. I’m exhausted when I pull into the lot and find a spot out of the way. Walking inside, I take my toothbrush and toothpaste. After I am as ready for bed as I can be under the circumstances, I put a towel over the side windows and a sunshade in the front. Once situated inside, I lock the doors and put my pillow against my door. I stretch out across the front seat. I nuzzle into my favorite blanket and fall fast asleep in no time.

Waking with a start, I look around confused for a moment and then remember where I am. Glancing at my phone, and seeing it's almost eight, I fold my blanket the best I can. Then place it on the passenger seat with my pillow and the towels I had on the windows. Once that's done, I get out of the car and do a bit of stretching. Hearing a few catcalls, I try to not let it bother me and grab my go bag. It has what I need to freshen up in it. Once I do my business, including washing my face, changing clothes, and adding deodorant, I stop by the vending machine for a cup of liquid life. As I bend to grab my coffee, someone bumps into me. I splash hot coffee on my hand. “Fuck, that’s hot.”

Turning, I come face to face with a neanderthal. “Dirty mouth on a sweet thing. Wanta get dirty with me, sweet cheeks?” He grins, showing the chew he has packed in his gum.

I want to vomit, but I am a lady. So I do what my granny taught me. “Sounds delightful if I was into apes.” Yes, I know granny was blunt. His mouth is agape as I walk past him. However, I’m not fast enough.

He grabs me by the arm, spinning me around. Dropping my coffee from the sudden spin, coffee goes everywhere. He grabs for my left shoulder while still holding my right wrist. “Bitch, you think you're better…”

I don’t let him finish that vulgarity, or the attempt at grabbing me. I bring my knee up into his junk with all my strength. Twisting as he drops like a hot rock, I make for my car. Once inside, I lock the door and get the hell out of there before he can get to his feet.

After about twenty minutes, I decide he isn’t following me so I pull off the highway and head to a small general store and gas station. I need coffee and fuel. I park at a pump and dig through my bag. “Fuck, where’s my wallet?” I think for a minute. I had it when I went to the vending machine. “Damn, I must have dropped it when that asshole grabbed me.” Leaning my head back, I need to think of what to do now.

I decide to call the police. After giving them details of the asshole and the information they need, I cancel my cards. Once that’s done, I reach in the glove box and pull out my emergency stash. This is money I was taught to always have, just in case something like this happened. Counting what is there, I sigh, it’s gonna be close to making it. Saying a quick prayer I don’t have to call Charlie to ask for help, I fuel up and grab a coffee and forgo food. Once back at the car I grab a protein bar and head back to the highway.