Page 14 of Truly, Madly, Deeply
Her mom’s eyes had lit up. “I like it.” She looked at Annalee’s father and then back at Annalee. “Who funds the reward?”
“It would be a charity.” Annalee had tried to think of everything. “People would donate knowing that the reward money would only be given out if police were able to take action.”
They had talked for another half hour about how an app like that could start in Indianapolis and spread to the entire nation or even the world. Her parents agreed that hotel workers were often the last line of defense for trafficked kids. In the United States and even in places like Thailand.
Annalee blinked and the memory disappeared. Shrill beeps and whirring sounds filled the tube—which was four inches from her face. Maybe closer. She tried to take a deep breath but her lungs wouldn’t fill, wouldn’t expand correctly. Were the walls of the cylinder closing in?
Another memory. That’s what she needed. Again she squeezed her eyes shut and this time a different face filled her mind. The handsome face of Tommy Baxter. He had taken her on a date two weeks ago, before her mom had made today’s doctor appointment. Back when her fatigue wasn’t so draining and she was still sure her tiredness had something to do with the trip overseas. Not this dreaded mono.
She pressed her back against the hard platform. Once more, Annalee could hear Tommy’s voice as they set off that day. He had looked at her from behind the wheel. “You ready for your Super Surprise Saturday?”
A smile had filled her heart. “Super Surprise Saturday?” She’d laughed. “What does that even mean?”
“It means you deserve the world. So this isn’t our average movie night.” Tommy had grinned at her. Then he’d handed her a pink envelope. She could still smell his cologne like he was here with her again. “Open it.”
She had known immediately this was going to be a forever memory with Tommy. Inside the card was a poem.
School has started, senior year.
Summer’s gone no beaches here.
Still I thought I’d take a chance
Take you out and find romance.
First stop on our night of fun
The chicken place, a 2.1.
I love you always, Annalee
P.S.—We don’t have to be in Phuket for you to take my breath away. That doesn’t rhyme… but we do.
Love, Tommy
“Are you serious?” Annalee had closed the card and looked at him. “We’re doing… what… a scavenger hunt?”
“We are.” He had looked so handsome. Crewneck navy sweater and dark jeans. His hair still blond from the summer sun. “I’m at your beck and call, my fair princess. Think about the clues. Where to first?”
“Uhh.” She looked at the card again. “Chick-fil-A?”
“Ding-ding-ding. You got it!That chicken place.” He grinned at her. “Let’s go!”
She hadn’t understood the 2.1 part until they got inside the fast-food restaurant. One of Tommy’s friends from the basketball team was working behind the counter and Tommy steered them to his line. When it was their turn, Tommy gave her a soft nudge. “Go ahead… place your order.”
A laugh caught her off guard. Whatever this was, Tommy’s friend had clearly been expecting them. There was a line forming behind them. Annalee tried to compose herself. “I’ll have a 2.1… I think.” She looked at Tommy. “Right?”
He shrugged at his friend. “The princess wants a 2.1. My treat, of course.”
Tommy’s friend had Annalee’s meal ready. Grilled chicken and a side salad. Her favorite. He handed her the food. “There’s the two.” He chuckled and pulled another pink envelope from beneath the counter. Annalee’s name was written across the front. “And here’s the one.”
When they were back in his Jeep, she opened the card and found another poem. The journey led them to a pottery craft store where they made matching mugs and then left them to be fired in the kiln. Next was a stop at her favorite coffee shop, where they shared a pair of pumpkin spice lattes.
“You don’t even like pumpkin.” She had given him a funny face as they got into the Jeep again. “What are you doing?”
“Seeing things from your side of the fence.” He took a sip and shuddered. “Just this one time, anyway.”
Here in the tube she relived each moment.
