The Private Serials Box Set(59)

“How funny. How long have you been there? I haven’t seen you around.”

“Oh,” I said, waving a hand in the air, trying to dismiss her question, “I haven’t been very social. I’m a ‘stay in my room and watch reruns of Friends kind of girl.”

“You sound like my kind of gal!” She held her hand out to me saying, “I’m Becky. I came here all the way from the East Coast in need of a serious change of scenery.”

I shook her hand, still smiling, as Becky admittedly grew on me. “My name’s Lena.”

“Oh, pretty name! Is it European?”

“Russian, actually, on my father’s side. My mother was Italian.”

“Well, that explains why you’re so pretty,” she said with so much earnest. All I could do was mirror her smile. For just one tiny moment, her friendliness and openness made me forget everything bad that had brought me here. She was smiling and I was smiling, and an actual laugh bubbled up. An honest-to-goodness laugh. She was a breath of fresh air.

“Thank you, that’s very sweet.”

Becky’s gaze on me was almost unnerving; it was so innocent. She looked as though she’d found a new best friend in me, like I was her newest shiny toy.

“Do you want to ride back to the motel with me?” Becky’s eyes were soft and questioning, and I couldn’t help but think that after everything that had happened in the last couple of weeks, a friend was something I shouldn’t turn away.

“Sure,” I replied, glad to have someone to share the ride with.

We talked non-stop all the way back to the motel. I learned Becky was very close to my age, only older by a bit. We shared a passion for cooking, even if we both couldn’t find the time to indulge. And since we both lived in a motel, cooking wasn’t really an option.

Becky was friendly, bubbly, and an excellent listener. In fact, she listened almost as well as she chatted, and she was a chatter. When she spoke, it was nearly at hyper speed, as if she were afraid the words would melt away before she got a chance to speak them.

When we came to our stop, we didn’t stop talking, just walked side-by-side all the way to the motel, ending up right in front of my door.

“Thanks for riding back with me,” Becky said. “Room number six, huh? I’m in twenty-two, upstairs. I’d invite you up, but I’m pretty beat. Long day.”

“Me too. Thanks, though, for introducing yourself. I haven’t enjoyed myself this much in weeks.”

“Well, what are you doing tomorrow? Want to hunt for apartments together? It would be better than doing it all alone.” She looked hopeful and I honestly thought it would be much better to hunt for a place to live with Becky than alone.

“Sure. That sounds great. Wanna meet out here at, like, ten?”

Her mouth pulled up into a beautiful smile. “Sounds like a plan. See you later.” She turned and I watched as she disappeared around a corner. I heard her footsteps up the stairs, and just took a moment to reflect, staring out at the beautiful scenery around me.

Today had been a good day. The first I’d had in weeks. Without provocation and for my own reasons, a smile spread across my face.

Instead of going into my room, I turned and headed for the sidewalk, leading toward a convenience store only a block away.

With the excitement taking over, I walked in and went straight for the counter, knowing the pre-paid cell phones hung on pegs right below. I’d eyed them before, knowing eventually I’d need one, but before now I couldn’t bring myself to purchase one. I wasn’t ready to talk to anyone, didn’t know what I would say. But today I wanted to talk to my best friend.

I picked out a simple phone and paid, then nearly jogged back to my room. I opened the package and followed the directions for activation, and when the screen lit up, my heart sped up as well. I dialed her number carefully, making sure I hit all the right numbers, and then I put the phone to my ear, breathing rapidly.

After a few rings, I heard her voice and my smile grew tenfold.

“Hello?” She was confused by the unknown number, I assumed. I took a deep breath and responded.

“Hey, Sam,” I whispered.

“Who…? Lena? Is that you?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

“Lena, oh, my God! Where are you? Are you okay?” She immediately started crying, and to hear her speaking through tears wrenched at my heart. My eyes welled with tears and I cried as I answered her.

“Sam, it’s so good to hear your voice. I miss you. So much.”

“Lena,” she cried again. Then we both sat on the line crying, and I wished I could hug her.

“I’m sorry I haven’t called. I’m sorry.”

I heard her sniffle and the crying tapered off. Then I laughed as I heard her blow her nose so loudly it was comical.

“Where are you?” she asked again. I wasn’t sure I should tell her where I was, not yet at least.

“I’m safe,” was the only response I could think of.

“Where?”

“Sam, it’s not important.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know. I’m fine. I’m doing all right. But no, I’m not okay. I don’t know if I’ll ever be okay.”

“Where are you?”