Two days later, the girls set out to the address on Astrid's paper. After 'acquiring' a map, they found the right street and headed in that direction. After much walking, hey wound up in the industrial part of town. All the buildings had big barbed wire fences around them and guards. The one they were looking for, number 87, had no guard box at the entry, only an intercom. Astrid pressed the buzzer and a few seconds later, a voice came through.
"Yes? How can I help you."
"Hi, I'm looking for Doctor Jane Foster?" there was silence for a moment.
"Doctor Foster hasn't worked here in sixteen years."
"Oh…" Astrid's face dropped. The intercom came on and there was muffled talking for a moment,
"Someone will be out in a moment. Please wait where you are." They both looked at each other in confusion. A few minutes later, a woman in her late 20s or early 30s drove up and opened the gate.
"You're the girls looking for Jane?" She asked. Astrid nodded, "Hop in then." she smiled a little at them. They both reluctantly got in the car. The woman laughed a little, "You remind me of her." She said looking at astrid before starting to drive.
"I don't mean to be rude but… Who are you?" Astrid asked concerned. The woman laughed again,
"Damn me, horrible at introductions. My names Darcy Lewis, I know your mother." Astrid smiled a little then stopped,
"Wait, how did you…" She shrugged,
"Your mother was a friend of mine once. I knew you'd show up one day. Astrid, right?"
"Yeah, that's me. This is my friend Lucy." Darcy nodded a little at her, Lucy nodded back.
"Did you girls have to travel far?" She turned a corner and they were back in the suburbs, headed towards town.
"We got in from Chicago last night."
"That's a long way… Are you hungry?" They both nodded, neither of them knew how much farther they might have to travel so anything for free was very much appreciated. Darcy pulled up outside a 50s style diner and killed the engine. "We brought your dad here when he first came to town." She told them as they got out. They went inside and sat.
"Is my mom still in New Mexico?" Darcy shook her head,
"She had to move, because of your dad, they're both in New York." Astrid nodded, yet again unable to stop smiling. Lucy smiled a little to herself and looked down at the menu.
"What're they like? My parents." Darcy took off her glasses, thinking of the right words.
"Well your mom would do anything to help someone else. So would your dad. She's smart and kind and everything you'd ever wanna be." Astrid tried to contain her excitement.
"Do you know where I can find them in New York?" before Darcy could answer, the waiter came over and they ordered. Darcy pulled out some paper from her bag,
"Do you have a pen?" Astrid pulled one out and handed it to her, "Thanks. Now, you can't give anyone else her address at all. Either of you guys, alright? She moved because of some… incidents. It's better if you just keep it a secret from other people. Yeah? Sorry I can't tell you more." She handed Astrid the paper. Astrid nodded,
"Alright. We won't, I understand. Thank you." Darcy smiled and sipped her beer,
"It's no problem honey. Honestly."
The three of them ate and Astrid asked questions about what Darcy (and her mother, previously) did in terms of science. Darcy answered everything as best as she could as Astrid reminded her of both her parents. They all finished eating.
"Can I do anything else for you two? Or are you guys gonna see when you can head out?"
"We're gonna see when we can start going to New York." Lucy said.
"Thank you for everything, Darcy." Astrid added. She smiled,
"It's no problem. You two stay safe and tell your mom I say hi, alright?" Astrid nodded,
"Of course."
Darcy said goodbye to the girls before getting back in her car and drove off.
"So, New York?" Lucy asked, turning to Astrid.
"New York." She nodded in agreement.
A.N- so Astrid knows where to find her mum. will it all be smooth sailing or with third parties get in the way? stay tuned to find out. xoxoRiley