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It wasn’t that I didn’t like learning. I did. I was allowed to direct my tutor in any direction I found interesting. Science had always fascinated me. But what was I going to do, become a doctor? There was no way my father would ever let me do anything as exposed as seeing patients.
Still, every day I spent with Cali working at the bed-and-breakfast, I gained more confidence in myself. I truly was capable of doing more than my father thought I could. Before now, I always hoped that was the case. Thanks to Cali, I knew I was capable of more.
Didn’t that mean that I couldn’t also attend university like a normal person? Even if I wanted to stay in this small town, couldn’t I do what Cali was doing and commute?
I kept thinking about this as I mindlessly searched the aisles for anything we might need. Not finding inspiration, I looked back through the store’s front glass and spotted something I hadn’t expected to. Parked across the street and a distance away was the car I had seen when I went out for berries. It was black with tinted windows and nothing that would stop it from blending in on New York City streets.
“Have you seen that car around here before?” I asked Glen as my heart raced.
“Once or twice,” Glen replied moving by my side. “Do you know him?”
“Have you seen who’s driving it?”
“From a distance. Dark hair. A little intimidating looking if you ask me,” he said with a smile. “We’ve been getting all types since the town has started showing up on maps. Usually, they’re people like you or outdoorsy types looking for a tour of the waterfalls. That’s what we’re known for,” Glen explained. “Not too many of them look like he did.”
Continuing to stare at the car, I asked, “Have you ever seen the front of it?”
“Of what?”
“Of the car? Did you notice if there was any damage?”
Glen turned to me and stared with his mouth open.
“What are you suggesting?”
I looked at him wondering how much I could trust him with. He seemed like a great guy, but I decided that the less people who knew about me, the better.
“Nothing. I’m just being paranoid.”
“You think that car might have been the one to run Dr. Sonya off the road?” Glen asked concerned.
“No. Like I said, I’m just being paranoid. Don’t pay me any mind. I’ve been watched too many movies,” I told him with a forced smile.
Looking at me like he didn’t know what to believe, he eventually conceded and returned to checking the shelves. Deciding I didn’t need anything from there, I said bye to Glen and headed towards the car to get a better look.
Staying on the opposite side of the street, it was locked in my gaze. I didn’t want to take my eyes off of it. I couldn’t see through the windows so I couldn’t tell if anyone was in it. But if he was and was here to kill me, I wanted to see it coming.
Feeling my palms sweat, it became harder to breathe. My body crackled with fear and tension. And just as I was about to cross in front of it to see its front bumper, the car started up.
I froze. I had been an idiot. All he needed to do now was you turn and run into me. Exposed in the empty street, I had no escape.
Before I could move, the car shot off. Relief washed through me. I wouldn’t die today. But I was sure that whoever had been in there, was here for me.
Watching it drive away, I saw my dreams of a simple life drive away with it. I had been right. Dr. Sonya had her accident because of me. I had put everyone in danger. I was either going to have to leave or…
Sitting in the kitchen, all I could think about was what I would do next. It was all over. The night before was now a distant memory. Cali was going to hate me. But what other choice did I have?
Hearing him drive up, I hurried to the living room’s bay windows. Standing far enough so he couldn’t see me, I watched him approach the front door. This was it. There was no turning back now.
“Hil,” he said with a smile that lit my heart. “What’s wrong?” he asked seeing me.
Tears filled my eyes. I wasn’t able to move. He rushed to me putting his hands on my shoulders.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen with Mama?” he said as terror filled him.
“No! She’s fine,” I quickly reassured him forgetting that that would be first place he would go. “Everything’s fine with her. She seemed to have a good day.”
“Then, I don’t understand. What’s the matter?”
