After demanding Bobby drop me off on the side of the highway, which I quickly figured out wasn’t exactly the best idea I’ve ever had, I had a bit of a mini meltdown. By the time I finally managed to push myself up from the overgrown strip of grass that was the only thing separating me from the six-lane highway, I was a complete mess.
Without looking in a mirror, I knew makeup was running down my face, my hair probably looked like a giant rat’s nest, and to top off all of that lovely mess, I was shoeless. So what did I do?
Stuck out my thumb like most sane people would.
Really, I was pretty damn lucky that an elderly man, who really reminded me of Bobby, was the first to pull over. I’d like to think it was Bobby’s way of sending a guardian angel out to save me, because let’s face it, I could’ve ended up locked in some pervert’s trunk, never to be seen or heard from again.
I still hadn’t called any of my family or friends. Leah had called multiple times, probably since I was supposed to have checked in with her. I knew I was going to have to return her calls eventually or she would be sending out a search party, but really, I didn’t want to tell her what had happened. Leah would never say I told you so, but I knew she would be thinking it. She had never been Teddy’s biggest fan, even after we were married. She was constantly asking me about living on the road, and if it was all really worth it.
I was hurt, embarrassed, ashamed…pretty much any emotion you could think of, I had felt it over the past twelve hours. But right now, I needed to wrap it all into a tiny little box with a pretty bow, put my brave face on, and move forward.
I pulled the expensive rental car, which I had charged to Teddy’s credit card, into the parking lot and took in my surroundings. I could hear the waves at the nearby beach crashing onto the shore through the open windows, the saltiness of the air felt cleansing as I took in a deep breath. Something about this place just felt so right, like I belonged. It felt almost like home.
Or maybe it was just a way of my body telling me that it was about to shut down after going so long without sleeping, and being emotionally drained.
Now, I had never been money hungry and had always been thankful for what I had in life, and I had always given back by volunteering in endless amounts of charity work. Every once in a while I would be able to convince Leah to tag along, but it didn’t matter if she did, it was just something that I liked to do.
Teddy had made good money over the years, and really, I had never splurged on anything. But I couldn’t help but be a little vindictive when George, the nice elderly man that had given me a ride, dropped me off at the closest car rental agency. Sure, I could have gotten the cheap economy car, but there was just something in me that said, “Just do it, Ally. He screwed you, you screw him.”
He probably wouldn’t even realize the money was gone, and I had already considered going on a little bit of a shopping spree before he noticed. Was that really so wrong of me?
The apartment complex that sat right on the shore was clean and modern looking, but had just a little bit of charm to make it feel homey. I double checked my phone before punching in the number for the top floor, which I’m sure had one of the best views, and tried to smooth my hair into somewhat of a clean looking bun. I didn’t want to look like as big of a mess as I felt on the inside.
I knocked on the door of the apartment that, luckily, I had saved in my phone for some reason. I had never made it to visit before, but I guess now was the best time. After a few minutes of knocking with no answer, I started to get a little nervous. I hadn’t thought to call ahead, and I wasn’t sure that I would really be able to make it somewhere else right now without collapsing into a heap.
I heard what sounded like a muffled voice from inside right before the door popped open, and I instantly smiled at the sight that was at least a little comforting. Her shock of red hair looked almost messier than mine, almost, and judging by her puffy eyes and silk pj’s, I had woken her up.
“Oh my God, Rem. I woke you up, didn’t I?” Her emerald eyes blinked back at me rapidly, before she finally refocused on me without saying a word, probably thinking she was dreaming my impromptu visit. “I totally forgot you worked third shifts now at the hospital. You know what? I can come back, or maybe I’ll just drive a little bit further, check myself into a hotel. Just forget I was here. I’m so sorry I bothered you,” I rambled on, trying not to let myself break down.