Page 13 of It Started With a Scarf

"I can't. I could, but it's expensive, and I'm saving for a car."

"Mom said she paid for your Christmas ticket."

"She did, but she probably won't pay for another one, and even if she did, I still have to spend money. Traveling's expensive, even without the ticket. Mom paid for my ticket when I came home in the summer, and I still spent five hundred dollars. Besides, Nessa and Pa Frank are coming to Chicago for Thanksgiving."

"You guys are going to have a house full. I didn't know Nessa was going."

"Yeah, Frank's lecturing at a college up here in Wisconsin, so they decided to come here for Thanksgiving. Nessa's probably thinking she'll be a buffer between me and Joan's kids, which I appreciate."

"Are they mean to you?" She asked the question because she didn't know the half of it. I didn't like to complain, even to my sister.

"I wouldn't say they're mean. Suspicious is more like it. I'm close with Joan and Mitzy, and, I don't know… it just feels like they question my motives with… you know what? There's no sense in speculating what they think about me. I'm glad Nessa's coming, that's all."

"What about the creep that was shopping at Abercrombie? Is he still texting you?"

"I don't know. I blocked him. I had a co-worker who was being too much, too."

"You're just too popular up there in Chicago."

"No, I'm just too nice. I make conversations with people, and I'm just being normal and nice, but they think I'm flirting."

"Who are you going to meet at your new job, though? Do any guys ever come in there?"

"It's all I can do to keep my head above water over here with changing jobs and saving for a new car. I'm not trying to meet a guy right now. I sat across the table from a gorgeous guy the other night. We had a really nice conversation, and it didn't even cross my mind. I didn't even get his name. Y-yeah I did, I learned it, but I don't remember. It's all a blur because I went to an interview right after that, and I didn't want uhhh…"

"Want what?"

"I'm sorry. Hang on. I'm distracted. I thought I saw that guy you were just asking about. Preston. I thought that was him over there… I don't…"

"You don't what?"

"Hang on. Nothing."

"Tell me what's going on," Ada said.

"Nothing. It just looks like that same customer from Abercrombie. I think I saw him just now."

"The creep who had your phone number?"

"Yeah. I blocked him, but, oh, shoot, Ada, it is him."

"Look, he-he's got his back turned, so I can make a break for it and go catch the bus right now."

"Marley, are you scared of this guy?"

She sounded nervous so I did my best to calm her. "No, it's more of a hassle than anything," I said. "I'm gonna let you go and get out of here while he's turned the other way. I'm done shopping, anyway, I'll go catch the bus. Don't forget to feel Mom out about that butcher block."

Ada agreed, and I got off the phone with her as I stood and began making my way outside. It was cold out, but I didn't stop to tighten my scarf or put on my hat. I was carrying too many bags to stop and worry about any of that. Plus, it wasn't that cold outside. Or maybe I was just overheating because of seeing Preston.

I was instantly on the move. It felt a bit like I was being chased in a movie. He wasn't chasing me, and I wasn't threatened by him, but I certainly wanted to avoid a conversation. I moved quickly but smoothly, trying not to start running. There were several bus stops near me at the moment—I knew this because I worked two streets over, and I had the area scouted out.

I went toward the one that was located behind this building. I had used it before. I felt good because I thought Preston couldn't see me from the door. I made my way there and sat on the bench, knowing I would get on the next bus no matter which direction it was going. I didn't quit Abercrombie strictly because of this guy, but I got to avoid him as a result of quitting, and it was a bonus. I thought I would never have to see him again. I hated running into him. I peered out of the bus stop enclosure to see if he was coming, and I was relieved when I didn't see him. I sat there for a few long seconds before I peered around my enclosure again.

"Oh, God, help me," I whispered, meaning it and asking for God's help. "… please help me…" I continued, pleading as I saw Preston coming my way. "Just turn and walk the other way," I said, now pleading with the guy.

I felt hot.

I could feel my face burning up. I didn't know if it was fear or anger, but I was hot. I did not want this guy to come to my bus stop. I squinted down the street and saw a bus in the distance. It was a long way off, and just coming to a stop, but at least I saw a bus.

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