Page 105 of The Tattered Gloves
A bit of hesitation flashed across his kind, wrinkled face as he quickly assessed my appearance. “One way?”
I adamantly shook my head. “Oh no. Round trip, please,” I replied as my stomach lurched, knowing that would double my cost. “I’m visiting my grandmother for the weekend, and it seems she only bought half the fare. When they dropped me off here, I was so confused. I’ve been trying to figure out where I am since then.”
He was still wary, but his fingers began to move across the keyboard. “I’m from Charlottesville,” he said, obviously attempting to sound casual. “Lived there half my life. Lovely city. What part does your grandmother live in?”
“Near the university,” I replied, knowing that wasn’t much of an answer.
Everyone in this state knew the University of Virginia was in Charlottesville.
“Off of Rugby Road. Do you know it? Within walking distance to the college. ‘A blessing and a curse,’ my grandmother always says,” I said with a fake smile, thankful for all those nights I’d spent doing research for Mrs. Landers class.
Google Maps and I had become fast friends as I found myself wanting to know more and more about the Fairchild family of the past.
“Oh, yes,” his tired voice replied. “Been down that way many times. I was a maintenance worker for many years.”
More typing, more chatter.
But, after a few minutes, he seemed sufficiently pleased with my story and handed me my golden ticket. “You take care now, and next time… check your ticket beforehand.”
I nodded. “Yes, sir.”
With the jolt of caffeine and the wave of nausea I had from lying to an old man, I boarded the bus a few minutes later and headed east.
BY THE TIME the first rays of sun hit the pavement, I arrived in Charlottesville.
Homeless, alone, and scared.
I had no idea what I was going to do here, but I guessed there was no time like the present to find out.
With my trusty map I’d grabbed just a few hours earlier, I began walking.
And walking.
I walked for miles with that stupid duffel bag on my shoulder until I finally found what I had been looking for.
The Short Stack.
It hadn’t changed much since my aunt and Sam’s mom had worked here. Or at least I didn’t think it had based on the stories Addy had told me. When I stepped inside, it smelled like pancakes and fryer grease. The wallpaper was in serious need of an upgrade, but the booths were soft and comfortable.
Especially after traipsing halfway around the world to get here.
“Hey, sweetie. What can I get you?” the waitress asked.
She was young, sweet, and energetic, and I found myself liking her instantly.
“Coffee,” I replied, knowing full well my stomach would demand more.
But I’d counted and recounted the money I had left in my pocket on the way here.
And coffee was all I could afford.
I hoped my belly would be okay with surviving on free cream and sugar.
The waitress was swift, returning with a large mug of hot coffee almost immediately. “Anything else?”
I shook my head.
She didn’t seem to mind my tiny order, smiling wide as she went to check on the few other customers. It was well after the morning rush. Mostly everyone had already made their way to school or work while I was getting here.
