Page 8 of SEAL's Sky
Me:I’m on the Norfolk train. Finally, be there in about 3.5 hours.
Mom:Are you still doing okay? No trouble?
Me:No trouble. This train is fairly empty, and I’ve got my own seat..
Mom:Good. You have enough problems without having to deal with a weirdo on the train.
Me:When you see me, besides the change in how I look, I’m going to use the name Sky Russell for a bit.
Mom:What? Why? What the hell is going on?.
Jen cringed. Her mom never cursed.
Me:He’s looking for me. It will make sense when I can explain everything after I get home. But to keep it easy I figured I’d use your maiden name. I’ll be Amanda’s daughter, your old made-up friend. And I doubt anyone knows my middle name is Skylar. It seemed the easiest way to remember.
She could imagine the look on her mom’s face, staring at her phone and wondering what the hell was wrong with her. It seemed to take forever before she replied, but it was really less than a minute.
Mom:Why didn’t you call me? I don’t like this. I’m going to need a double to get through your explanation, aren’t I?
Me:A double tea?
Her mom never drank, not even on holidays. Jen didn’t have any idea why, but she thought it was kind of ironic that a teetotaler owned a bar.
Mom:With extra cookies.
That sounded more like her mom.
Me:I promise, it’ll make sense later. See you in a few hours.
Mom:Be safe, Jen.
Mom:I mean Sky. This is not going to be easy.
Me:I’m sorry. Love you.
Mom:Love you more.
Me:Don’t forget to delete the text messages.
Mom:I won’t. See you soon.
It was strange reading it but hearing it and remembering to respond would take some getting used to. Too bad she didn’t have the time. Keeping her real identity hidden needed to happen. If Kurt found her she didn’t know what he’d do, and now that he’d involved the police she might be in trouble too. He could charge her with theft for taking her clothing. Who knew what he’d try at this point.
The tightness in her shoulders extended into her neck until just turning to look out the window brought tears to her eyes. Had she made a huge mistake going home and getting her mom involved?
As the train neared the station, Jen once again got up and changed her look. This time it was a new snarky t-shirt and no wig. Finger fluffing her hair in front of the small mirror, she got it almost presentable, but good enough to be able to get a taxi. If not she’d have to call her mom to come and get her.
The trip seemed to take forever. By the time the train rolled into the station her butt was sore and her legs were stiff, and she almost took a header down the steps to the platform. If the conductor hadn’t grabbed hold of her arm she’d have fallen flat on her face. Black eyes and a broken nose probably would have helped hide her identity but what a fucked up way to do it. Italmostmade her chuckle.
“Thank you.” Jen smiled as she slid the backpack over one shoulder and the tote bag over the other.
“You’re welcome, young lady. Have a good evening,” the elderly conductor replied.
After another smile she walked across the platform to the terminal, thinking how much the conductor looked like Mr. Conductor from Thomas the Tank Engine. Thankfully, it wasn’t crowded since it was after rush hour and even found a taxi waiting in front of the terminal. It wouldn’t be long now until she could hug her mom. So close to feeling safe for the first time in forever. So close to finally sleeping for more than an hour or two at a time.
Stepping outside into the evening air and the smell of the ocean, it was already dark at seven p.m. She’d been traveling since ten a.m. It would only be another ten minutes or so until she arrived at the Ready Room and would see Mom. Hopefully, most of the dinner hour would be over, not that they served a lot, mostly standard bar food, sandwiches, burgers, fries, nachos. Just thinking about it made Jen’s stomach growl. She shouldn’t be surprised since all she’d eaten was a granola bar while waiting to hop on the Norfolk train.
It wouldn’t be long until she was home and this nightmare will be over. As she watched the familiar surroundings through the window, her excitement grew. Soon she’d be able to hug her mother, sleep in her old bed, and not wake up terrified for the first time in months. Kurt cut her off from everyone, controlling every moment of every day, leaving her scared and alone.
