Page 120 of Missed Sunrise
Because I had places to be.
The driveto Gulf Shores was endless and unfortunate.
The universe seemed to not give two shits about my mounting desperation to make it there. That, or it cared deeply but also hated me, wishing to see me suffer.
I got stuck behind a log truck for a long stretch of highway, and for thirty minutes, my mind flashed through scenes fromFinal Destination.My intrusive thoughts only took breaks to enter intense, brief bouts of call of the void where I imagined gunning my truck into a ditch or off a bridge.
No, not true suicidal ideations, but they were still fucking off-putting.
By the time the highway finally opened, and I was able to pass the truck, I was so relieved that I didn’t even notice which city I was passing through until I saw the big green sign that read:
Welcome to Mobile, Alabama
I gripped the steering wheel until it hurt. It wasn’t so long ago that Cher was picking me up from the port, though I thankfully wouldn’t pass directly by it.
Still, the vibes here were balls.
By the time I made it through Mobile, I’d broken one of my oldest bracelets when it’d gotten caught on another and I twisted them too aggressively. The thin, faded string fell onto the steering column, and as I picked it up and let it fall ontothe seat beside me, the sudden grief that overtook me was both unwelcome and unexpected.
Each one held a good memory. Before I had boxes, I had bracelets. I shouldn’t have felt such sadness about this one breaking—I couldn’t even remember what it signified—but I was protective of them all the same.
I ground my teeth together and forced my eyes back to the road, then turned up the ancient radio on the truck to drown out my senses.
My agitation only grew as I realized I wasn’t going to be as early as I’d hoped. I’d woken up well before the sunrise this morning and had even gotten in a quick run with Dad before meeting Bree at the coffee shop. My original plan was to surprise Liem early at the Locc to help set up and see the place he’d told me all about, but that was out now thanks to the log truck.
My agitation at missing out on the time with Liem urged me to pull over into a fast-food parking lot and download a vacation rental app.
I needed time with him. Alone.
Once I made a booking for tonight, I got back on the road and felt much better for having that prepared. If Liem wanted to go back tonight or didn’t want to stay there with me, I’d just eat the cost.
Or drown my sorrows in the rental’s hot tub.
A while later, I turned down my radio as I pulled off the highway and navigated a few smaller streets before eventually pulling up to what seemed to be a sprawling compound.
There were three entrances, each with a security hut and gates. I pulled into one and, after a short conversation with the guard, was allowed through.
Palm trees lined the road on both sides as I passed by rows of houses, then town homes, and then apartments before I pulledinto a visitors parking lot at the front of the Live Oak Community Center stationed in the middle of the sprawling campus.
This was not at all what I expected.
I got out of my truck and stretched like a cat, taking in my surroundings as nerves filled me.
I eyed the large modern building.
Liem was in there somewhere, and he was going to help strangers paint me today.
I’d agreed to that.
I ran my hand over my hair, tugging at the short strands.
Then, straightening my spine and gathering my balls, I walked toward the glass doors.
But when I got closer and spied a long, dark braid through the window, that walk turned into a quick stride. And when I opened the door just as Liem disappeared around a corner, a sprint.
I was faintly aware of a voice calling after me and of classical music playing from somewhere down the corridor, but when I turned the corner and saw him just a few feet away, I was suddenly aware of the long absence of my heart.
Because he had it.
