Chapter 3:
I set my backpack down beside me, and sat down on the bench. I'm in Tulsa, Oklahoma right now, the last place on earth I thought that I would ever be. It's also the last place that they would look for me. At least I hope they don't find me here.
Tom dropped me off in front of a Diner and offered to buy me Dinner. I refused but he wouldn't back down, so at last, I gave up and allowed him to buy me dinner. After we ate, we said our good-byes and I thanked him again for probably the fifth time that night. And he drove off, leaving me sitting on a bench.
I was almost totally dry now, a little damp but not soaking wet, like I was a couple of hours ago.
I looked around wondering what I was going to do next. Where do I go? Oh, great, I thought. I'm lost again.
I got up from the bench and started walking blindly down the sidewalk. I don't know where I'm gonna sleep tonight, probably in an alley or something. I want to save my money for food, and maybe buy something so I could clean myself up a bit, so that I could at least see if they're hiring anyone for work.
I looked up at the sky. It's almost dark. I groaned. Better find some place to stay for the night. I looked around. There's lots of houses, but most of them are pretty run down.
Look's like this side of town has it pretty rough. I thought. Not like my neighborhood back home was any better, mine was probably worse. A lot of people didn't even have a place to live in.
I walked down the street a little while longer when I came to an empty lot. I walked around it until I found a spot that was surrounded by a couple of trees. Well it's better than nothing. I thought as I laid down, slipping my backpack off my back and laying it on the ground
Gosh it was cold. I tugged at my sweater, pulling it tighter around me; suddenly wishing I still had that blanket Tom had lent me earlier. My stomach rumbled. I looked at my watch. 9:31. It's almost been four hours since Tom bought me dinner, and I was starving.
I pulled myself up off the grass and grabbed my backpack. I started off towards a DX station I saw earlier down the road. I didn't know how late they were open but I was hungry, and I wanted something to eat.
I got to the DX in about ten minutes. I was in luck, the light was on and they're was somebody inside. I walked up to the store and knocked on the glass door. The guy came around and unlocked the door.
"Sorry but we're closed." He said, motioning to the sign in the window. I never thought to look for a sign. I guess I just figured it would be open, seeing as there's somebody in it.
I frowned. Damnit, why couldn't I have gone earlier?
"Amy, you idiot." I muttered under my breath.
The guy must have heard me. "What did you say?" He asked.
Great. "Nothing." I said quickly. "Listen, um…do you think it would be okay if I got something to eat real quick and then left…" I trailed off, and peered over his shoulder to get a better view of what was in the store.
He started to say something, but stopped. He drummed his fingers against the doorframe. "I could get fired for this…" He muttered. He looked up at me, staring into my eyes. Gosh he was cute.
He ran a hand through his hair, "Come on." He grabbed me by the arm and led me inside, locking the door behind him. "You can pick out whatever you want," He said moving behind the counter, unlocking the cash register.
I quickly moved over to the refrigerated area and picked out a deli sandwich and a Pepsi. I placed them on the counter, and began fishing in my pocket for a ten.
"I'll pay for it." He said, quietly.
"Huh?"
"I'll pay for it." He repeated, a little louder this time.
I shook my head. "Oh, no. You don't have to pay for-"
Before I could finish he took his wallet out from his back pocket.
"Nah, it's fine. And since I work here," He pulled a couple of dollar bills from his wallet and placed them in the cash register. "I get discounts on just about everything." He looked up at me smiling.
I couldn't help but smile back. "Thank you…"
"Soda." He said proudly. "Sodapop Curtis." He tilted his head to one side, "And you are?"
"Amy Sullivan." I said, holding out my hand.
He shook it. "You're new around here, aren't you?"
I nodded, picking up my sandwich and drink.
"So Amy," Soda said, motioning for me to move towards the door. "Where do you live? I'll give you a ride home."
I stepped outside and waited as he locked up. When he was done we climbed into his old pickup truck.
He started the engine and we pulled out of the DX.
Soda glanced over in my direction. "So where do you live?" We started off down the street.
"Umm…" I bit my lip nervously. "I…I don't really live anywhere…"
The car lurched slightly forward as he hit the brakes. He pulled over to the side of the road.
Parking the car, Soda turned to me. "What do you mean you don't live anywhere?" He asked.
I fiddled with the plastic bag in my lap. I shrugged. "I ran away. Look, I just- I don't want to talk about it right now, okay. I'll get out here." I was starting to undo my seatbelt when Soda grabbed my arm.
"Hey, hold on a second-"
I jerked away from his grip. "Let me go." I snapped. A little reluctant, Soda released his grip on my arm. Grabbing my belongings I opened the car door. Slamming it shut, I turned around and started for the park.
