Chapter Eight: Figure It Out
"We're gonna go to the next town over and stop. Stay at a motel, I guess," Jo informed Blair as she continued driving.
I guess we're on speaking terms again, Blair thought. Even though it's not the best of speaking terms.
The sun was up early the next morning and the breeze blew freely as Jo had decided to bring the top down on her car.
"We both need to rest and maybe relax. Cool our heads. Plus, we need to figure out how to get some money. Blair, how much money do ya have?"
Blair silently kicked herself for ditching her credit cards back at home in Peekskill. She had tried to be smart and mature with her money and had only brought just enough cash for one weekend. But now, it seemed blatantly obvious the little bit she had brought with her wasn't going to be enough.
"Well…I'm not sure," she said honestly. "Let me check."
She brought up her purse and took out her wallet, pulling out bills.
"Uh…let's see…I have a grand total of sixty-four dollars," she said flatly.
As she recounted her bills, a breeze blew some of her money out of her hands.
"Better make that forty-four dollars," she said lamely. "I hate to say this but I'm cash poor at the moment." She then frowned. "For the first time in my life, I, Blair Warner, am actually broke."
Jo stared off into space, hardly paying Blair any attention. "We gotta get some money and we gotta get it fast," she muttered to herself, intent on finding the nearest motel.
It didn't take long for the two women to find a motel. Jo had found it by chance while driving along the highway.
It's not the Ritz Carlton or even a Holiday Inn but I guess it'll do, considering neither of us has enough money, Blair thought. And anyways, with the night I've had, staying in a fleabag motel is the least of my worries!
The two women had hardly spoken when they found the motel and when they stopped at a drugstore to grab snacks and makeup for Blair's face.
After they had unloaded Jo's car and checked in to the motel, they stepped into their room.
Jo immediately opened the curtains to let the natural sunlight into the dingy room.
Blair dropped her suitcase, walked over to the nearest bed and laid down, staring up at the ceiling. She then quietly began watching Jo begin to unpack her own suitcase and put stuff into drawers.
"Why are you doing that? I thought you just wanted to take a nap?" Blair questioned curiously.
Jo dropped one of her t-shirts. "Oh…force of habit," she said, chuckling nervously. "I didn't even realize I was doin' it. I'm just nervous, I guess. I need to figure out what to do."
Blair yawned, feeling drained and lethargic. "Well, when you do, wake me up," she said, turning on her side. Sleep sounds good. At least when I sleep, I don't have to deal with the world. She sighed depressedly.
Jo frowned. Something's not right with her, she thought. She's not speaking…she's not doing anything. She's not…herself. It made Jo feel slightly uneasy.
"Just what the hell is wrong with ya?" Jo demanded, slamming the closet door hard, which made Blair jump.
"Whatever do you mean?" She asked, puzzled.
"Why ya actin' like this?" Jo asked.
Blair's face grew red with anger. She rose out of bed, staring at Jo, aghast. "Acting like what? How the hell am I supposed to act? Excuse me for not knowing what to do when you blow somebody's brains out!"
The two women glared at each other intensely; neither one saying a single word to each other.
Jo broke the silence. "Well, for starters, ya could help me try and figure it out! I gotta figure out what to do and ya could actually help me!"
Blair rolled her eyes and threw her hands up in resignation. "Well, Jo, let's see…I suggested to you that we should call the cops but no, you didn't like that idea so quite frankly, Jo, I'm all out of fucking ideas!"
"Well then, what's the big rush, Blair?! Maybe if we give 'em time, then they'll just come to us!" Jo exclaimed angrily.
She then took a deep breath, willing herself to calm down. Alright, Jo…you gotta calm the fuck down! Don't say anything you don't mean. You know it's not Blair's fault we're in this mess.
She began rubbing her temples. "Christ, Blair! I'm just not ready to go to jail yet!" She sighed. "Why don't ya just go to the pool or somethin' and I'll figure it out myself."
Blair set her jaw tightly.
"Fine. Give me the keys," she demanded.
Jo chuckled dryly. "I don't think so. Ya not touchin' that car," she replied.
"But the rest of my stuff is in there!" Blair protested. "Ugh! Honestly, you care more about that damn car than you do most people!" She groused.
Jo set her gaze towards the window, gazing away pensively at the sky. "Well, Blair, just seems like most people cause me trouble and that car always seems to get me out of it."