Chapter 11: New Beginnings

"What did Rox have to say?"

Meg sighed and faced Chris. "Not much, believe it or not. She...well she sounded too shocked and excited to say much of anything."

"It's no wonder, Meg. I mean you waited so long to call."

"I wanted to make sure we got here. Even though my dad doesn't want to have anything to do with me, my mom and J.J. would probably do anything to get me back home. If I called before getting to Berkeley it would be easier for them to track us down."

Chris walked over to his girlfriend and sat down next to her on the sidewalk bench. Placing his hands on each side of her face he drew her close kissing her long and hard. He pulled back and leaned his forehead against her's.

"You gotta stop explaining everything."

Meg huffed and smiled then closed the space between their lips. Just when things began to get heavy, she abruptly jerked back.

"I almost forgot! I was gonna call Sam!"

Before Chris could object, Meg sprung from his embrace on the bench, dug into her pocket for a dime, and was back in the phone booth in a matter of seconds. Right before she hit the numbers to dial, she spun around.

"I can't call. What if Henry or Angela...or Nathan answers? They'd tell my family where I am. Here," she pointed the receiver in Chris's direction, "you call and ask for Sam. Then if he's there you can hand the phone to me." She stood waiting as Chris just sat there flashing her one of his sly smiles. "Chris! Please?"

"Alright," he answered relunctantly.

"I'll dial for you," Meg said excitedly.

"It's ringing," Chris told Meg as she looked on anticipation brightening her eyes. "Uh...is Sam there?...Can I speak to 'im?...Uh..." putting his hand over the mouthpiece he asked Meg, "Who am I?"

"Just say...you're someone from school...need help with a homework assignment or something," Meg thought on the spot and shrugged.

"I'm a friend from school. I needed to ask him about this homework...okay thanks." Turning towards Meg he mouthed, She's getting him.

Angela, thought Meg seeing a picture of Sam's little sister in her mind.

"Here." Chris shoved the phone at her. When she grabbed it he trotted out of the booth landing back on the bench.

"Hello? Hello? Is anybody there?"

Meg smiled at hearing the familiar voice in her ear.

"Hello?" Sam asked again.

"Sam...it's me Meg but don't tell anyone," she rushed out quickly.

"Uh..." Sam stood, stunned and silent.

"Sam? You okay?"

"Uh, yeah. Are you?"

"Yeah Chris and I are in Berkeley. We're waiting for our contact guy to come and pick us up. Sorry it's taken so long to call--"

"That's okay."

"--but I didn't want anyone knowing where we were until we got here. It's still dangerous for us because we're not in hiding yet."

"Yeah."

"I just got off the phone with Roxanne. She told me a little bit of what's happened since I left. Sounds like it's been crazy."

"Yeah from what I know it has been."

"I wrote down all of our travel experiences in a journal. As soon as I get the chance I'll be mailing it to Roxanne. You'll have to go to the record store to ask her to read it." When there was no reply Meg questioned, "Sam?"

"I heard you. I'll be sure to do that. Sorry, Angela's bugging me about who I'm talking to."

Meg snickered. Then she saw Chris waving at her. "Sam I'm sorry but our ride is here. I gotta go."

"It's probably best anyways," Sam lowered his voice, "too many curious ears."

"I'll call back when I can talk longer."

"Good. I'll...uh...see you."

Meg understanding he said that for the sake of those listening on the other side, replied, "Thanks. 'Bye Sam."

"'Bye."

"You sure it's him?" Meg asked after hanging up the receiver.

"It's a green van just like he said on the phone." Chris pointed across the street to a junky, old van as he swung his leg over his bike.

Meg did the same while Chris started the engine. Their contact waved motioning for them to follow him. Meg tightened her arms around Chris's middle feeling the jerk from the motorbike starting off. She moved her head from side to side trying to take in as much as she could of her new city. She already noticed it was going to be a huge change from Philadelphia. The obvious difference was the weather. Where back home it would be getting cold, here she was hot. It felt like summer to her. The buildings were made differently. The people looked different too--different clothing and hairstyles. This was going to be a whole new world for her.

Before she knew it, they turned down a street covered with houses. They stopped in front of one and got off their bike. She heard the squeak of the van door opening and looked to see their contact stepping out of his vehicle. Meg scanned him up and down. He was barefoot wearing a beat up pair of jeans and a white undershirt. His light brown hair was long and shaggy falling over his forehead. He appeared as if he was trying to grow a beard and his eyes were covered with a pair of sunglasses. In Meg's opinion, he was nothing to look at.

"Follow me."

Meg and Chris grabbed their packs and followed this stranger up the drive and into the house.

"Have a seat," he motioned to a couch in the living room and closed the door. "Thirsty? I could get you something."

"No thanks," Christ spoke for both of them.

"Alright then let's get to this."

Meg never learned the name of the guy, but in the next hour and a half, she learned just what it takes to go into hiding. She was no longer Meg Pryor and her boyfriend was not Chris Pierce. They were now Susan Thomas and David Williams with papers gallore to prove their new identities. They were given new histories and families as well. Because Meg was so recognizable from being on Bandstand it was decided she would have to dye her hair. After everything was explained, Meg felt like she had been hit by a bus. This was going to be harder than she first suspected.