A long way home chapter three and four

chapter three 

After pile diving for what seems like hours I retrieve my luggage and head of to a washroom. My head still feels like someone took their steel toe boot to it. Maybe a cool splash of water will do the trick ? As the door to the washroom squeaks open I feel like I just walked through a portal to the seventies.

The walls are covered with orange and white psychedelic wall paper, the white now more a yellow stain. The sinks are a mossy puke like green, and the taps are so scaled and eroded I begin to doubt them working at all. I don't even dare check out the stalls. Clearly the redecorating budget got lost some where. I turn a tap in a clockwise motion and must admit I'm pleasantly surprised that it works. As I look up and say a silent thank-you to the gods of mercy I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

The journey has not been kind to me .

At 112 pounds and 5'3" I've never considered myself a pretty girl, there's not enough to me to be pretty. I am as flat as a pancake on Sunday and I have no junk in my trunk to speak of. That being said, the person staring back at me; makes me, on a good day look like Scarlett Johnson! My face is white like chalk, the only colour in my complexion is the black bruise like spots under my eyes. My lips are cracked and shedding due to the change in humidity and my eyes...my eyes are still exactly the same. Sad. Angry now I splash the frigid water over my face. Snap out of it Sandra !! I force the tap off and stomp my way out of the bathroom.

I hate feeling sad it makes me angry! I'm not some insecure little girl. I don't need to be consoled or hugged. I don't need some one to tell me it'll be okay !

I don't need anyone.

I'm so worked up I'm now running full tilt to the exit doors. I need some fresh air. I need to cool down.

"Attention customers. Redwing transport will be closing in fifteen minutes, I repeat fifteen minutes. Thank -you "

I almost do a summersault over my feet as I hear the announcement. Closing...?

I look around. This must be a mistake bus stations don't close ... They don't! People come in and leave on busses all night right ?

"Excuse me sir? "

"Yes?" The short Beaty eyed man looks back at me

"U-um I must be tiered. I swear the man on the intercom just said you were closing ?"

The man narrows his eyes and boldly allows them to travel the length of my body. I feel exposed.

"You do look tiered." He says disapprovingly. " but you heard right we are closing."

" what that can't be! " I begin to panic. " I thought... I mean I .."

"There's a woman's shelter just around the corner. I can call them for you..." The man states as he turns to walk away, clearly dismissing me.

"I am not homeless!!" I yell back

The man keeps walking away. Clearly disbelieving.

Great! Now what ? I begin to pace. I could...no ... It's that or the shelter ...I don't want to! Damn!

I fish my phone out of my pocket and once again head for the exit. This time I walk slowly dreading what I'm about to do. I dial the number I've dialled on so many occasions in the last two years. this time, I press send. He picks up on the first ring.

" hello?" A groggy masculine voice answers. I realize then that I've woken him.

" Jeremy? It's me ..."  

Chapter Four

After calling Jeremy I definitely need to clear my head and mentally prepare, so I head out for a cigarette.

It's been two years since I've talked to Jeremy. I haven't called or written. Not even an email to see if he's still alive. Now here I am; in a jam and suddenly I have the audacity to call him and ask for a favour? God I'm an idiot!

I pull my cigarettes out of my back pocket, the weight of it surprises me,I look inside damn... Only two left ! I pull one out, toss it in my mouth and light up. Knowing I'm almost out makes me savour every last inhale of the toxic smoke. Hey we're all going to die eventually may as well enjoy it !

Some people find smoking and the people who enjoy it, revolting. Not me. I grew up with it. My father smoked a lot when I was a child. To me, cigarette smoke is one of those scents that takes you back ...

"Hey dad! Hurry up! we have to pick up Jeremy on the way !" I come bounding down the stairs. It's the first day of my sophomore year "DAD!"

" What happened this time? Jeremy lose his keys ? "

" No... His car won't start ..."

Dad doesn't respond he just rolls his eyes and walks out the front door. Even though Jeremy is a senior and can drive, dad still insists on driving me to school. I guess this is why.

"Hurry up Sandra! Your going to be the one making us late pretty quick!"

I race out the front door, down the steps and fall into the passenger side. My door's barely shut before dad throws the truck in reverse and barrels out the driveway. Less than five minutes we've been in the car, dad's already cracked a window and lit up a smoke. I close my eyes and inhale deep; memorizing the smell. It smells like him. I open my eyes watching mesmerized as the smoke dances out the window and disappears. A loud noise sounds and I realize we've reached Jeremy's house. Again the sound goes off

HONK!

"Dad! Stop! He's coming alright, just give him a minute ." Sure enough Jeremy sails down the walk way waving a greeting. I smile and wave back.

Jeremy is tall and lean, Much like me. His shaggy blonde hair covers part oh his face but not enough to hide his hauntingly blue eyes. I watch as he climbs in the back seat and slams the door. I feel dad cringe slightly but he remains quite.

As we make our way to school Jeremy and I gab about Mr. Volk. Jeremy had him two years ago for history, I have him this year. Dad doesn't say much. Jeremy and him never have much to say to each other. I guess that's to be expected. Fifteen minutes and we arrive at West creek high it's a new year and the school is buzzing. Jeremy climbs out with a mumbled "thanks." I lean over and give dad a kiss on the cheek " love you dad. Thanks for the ride." I then follow Jeremy's lead and climb out of the car. Jeremy throws his arm around my shoulder and waves to my dad.

"Don't worry Mr. T I'll take care of our girl! "

Dad nods to Jeremy in acknowledgement and pulls away...

 I drop my butt and snuff it out. That was six years ago and some how it feels like yesterday. Suddenly a loud noise sounds ...it's Jeremy. I'd know those squeezing tires and that deafening diesel engine anywhere. Sure enough, almost as if I willed it the cherry painted truck turns the corner. I inhale deeply trying to calm myself. Tires squeal as the truck stops and the door swings open.

" Hey Jeremy ..."

" Hey sis."