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Chapter 24 – Mental Road Maps
Ruby
I lay in bed, mentally traveling all possible routes to the meeting I had with the consultant that morning. The location was good, well within my safe zone. There were many different routes to getting there. Lots of choices.
I could take the highway.
My heart thudded once, hard, in my chest, stealing a single breath. What if I blew out a tire at high speed? I pictured my little car skidding into the next lane, a transport truck barreling down on me, ticking the corner of my cute little bumper, sending me rolling and spinning across the highway. I could hear the sound of tires screeching as a second transport truck swings sideways, rolling over my little car. I could hear the crunch of the steel frame as it folds around me.
Bye, bye, Ruby.
No highway.
My eyes were wide open but unseeing. I released my grip on the bedsheets. Easy there, Ruby. You’re okay. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Plenty of backroads, some more back than others. I could take Snake Road up through Bridgewater, such a sweet small town.
Was that too isolated? What if I hit a deer on Snake Road? I would have to be constantly vigilant. I huffed. Of course, I was always vigilant when driving. When was I not vigilant?
A scene from a movie I’d seen years ago unspooled on the canvas of my mind. A murdering rapist waited in secluded areas and shot the tires out of cars to secure his victims. He walked up to the car with a friendly smile. I saw the back of his hand coming fast towards my face. My breath rate picked up.
That was far-fetched even to my mind, though not outside the realm of possibility.
No Snake Road.
I needed a route that was not too busy, but not isolated either. I’d take York Boulevard to Plains Road then head up to Dundas Street which would take me almost to the door of the office. Just one more small turn. Dundas could be busy.
No. Enough. I took Dundas all the time. My nerves had nothing to do with the route, and everything to do with the fact that I was nervous for the meeting.
I hoped there was easy parking.
I got up and made sure my Emergency Auto Service card was tucked securely into my wallet and plugged my phone in to ensure a full charge, before getting into the shower.
A little over ninety minutes later, I turned off the ignition, peeled my fingers off the steering wheel, and flexed the stiffness from my joints. It turned out to be an easy drive and I made it with several minutes to spare.
I opened the window to breathe in the warm September air. Why was it September always smelled like back-to-school even decades since I’d been there?
I scanned the building. It was new, modern, lots of glass. I liked that. I hated feeling closed in. I stepped out of the car, briefcase in hand, and slung my purse over my shoulder.
Once inside, I checked for the company name on the board to verify that it was indeed on the fifth floor, then punched the button for the elevator. I gave my appearance a cursory glance in the elevator’s mirror.
My new suit fit me perfectly and filled me with confidence. My makeup, light and professional, highlighted my features just enough. I couldn’t do much with my hair. It waved and curled where it wanted, but I had at least somewhat tamed the frizz. The look in my eyes nearly stopped me in my tracks. They looked bright and alive, full of hope and excitement. I grinned at myself in the elevator mirror and then chortled.
The elevator door opened directly into the lobby. I checked in with the receptionist on my right, then took a seat on a chair across from her desk. A chaise lounge lay along on the wall of windows to my right, a hallway stretched out behind me, and a shorter hallway lay to my left.
I should have chosen the chaise lounge. I could have seen everything from that vantage point.
I heard a door open and close in the hallway behind me, followed by a series of rapid footsteps. A man with an open, friendly face came around the corner and smiled at me.
He stuck out his hand. “Hello, I’m Dylan.”
“Ruby.” I stood, shook his hand, and smiled.
He waved his arm to the side in invitation. “This way, please. Let’s grab a room and see what we’ve got.”
“Thank you for fitting me in so quickly.”
“My pleasure. How are you feeling about your new venture?”
