Part 3

On the Road

Unbelievable graduation has come and gone and I still have a hard time believing it. It's August and I feel like I need to be somewhere…Yale, perhaps? I hope that is what this feeling is sitting in the pit of my stomach. Thankfully our high school graduation went without a hitch. The principal didn't feel it necessary to hold my diploma for any reason. No one needed to investigate anyone else. Sweet relief when the only thing to worry about will be getting from point A to B. Meaning my driving 3000 miles from California to Connecticut.

Duncan and Logan have not entered my mind since that perfect night on the beach. I never once felt that kind of security with either of them. I have to admit to certain amount of fear factor involved with being with them.

Duncan went off on me when he found out about my files. I really though he was going hurt me. It wouldn't have been his fault after I triggered an epileptic fit but I was afraid for my life.

Logan has been a suspect in two murders. We were shot at because of one of them. Not to mention the fact he has two crazed gangs after him and who knows who else. Anyone standing next to him is libel to eat a bullet. Again I was afraid for my life. He plays life more dangerously then I do and the truth is I was scared.

It's easy to admit the truth when your 2500 miles from the lies. I have been felt anything but secure in the presence of Wallace Fennel. The only fear I had ever harbored was that I had permanently damaged our relationship.

Wallace and I left Neptune last week to pursue what life has laid out for us. I just wish it could have been together unless leaving Neptune at the same time on the same day. He made sure I was there for his swearing in. I guess he didn't realize I wouldn't have had any other way. But it's still something else I can't believe. My sweet Wallace is going away to be brainwashed by some little Nazi.

That whole day is a blur except for my pulling Wallace to the side to tell him goodbye. I don't even know what got into me. I only planned to tell him I'll write everyday and come back safe. Instead I ended up pulled him into a kiss. But oh what a kiss? Thinking about it sends a tingle up my spine. It kills me I never got the chance to talk to Wallace about it. I'm glad the parental units weren't around to see it. But then again what were they going to do? Stop me from going to Yale and send Wallace to Leavenworth, not very likely.

At least I'll have something to occupy my mind for the next 3000 miles. I'm still a bit torn because Wallace is the best friend I've ever had. I also have to admit that he has been a better friend than Lily ever had been. I loved her but she wouldn't do anything unless there was something in it for her. Wallace was different he would leave a date to help me out. He was my rock. Anyone else will be a poor substitute.

I'm surprised this lonely drive hasn't so lonely. It's actually refreshing. I'm free. I'm free from the disapproving looks. I'm free from all the harsh words people never hesitated to speak. This has been the best decision I've ever made. Well at least it's not getting me into trouble. Not yet anyway. I'm looking forward to my fresh start. I'll miss home for awhile but I couldn't bare it any longer. Every turn I made an old memory would awake. There were memories of my mom and of Lily. They were killing me. I'm hoping that after 4 years as an under and another 4 as a graduate the pain will finally go away.

The cities are passing by so quickly. La Mesa, El Cajon, Yuma, Goodyear, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Gallop, Albuquerque, Newkirk, Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Broken Arrow, St. Louis, Spring field, Chicago. Naval Recruit Training Center Great Lakes, Why couldn't Wallace join the Navy? At least he wouldn't be a grunt he would be out in the middle of the Arabian Gulf on a battle ship safe from exploding mines and whizzing bullets.

I'm getting giddy now from lack of sleep. Power napping at a rest stop isn't recommended on a cross country trek. I know I should stop soon but I want to get as far away as I can. If dad knew I was still on the road he'd kill me assuming I don't kill myself falling asleep at the wheel. I just can't bring myself to stop. If I stop now I might have to turn back. The cities are still passing by at what seems like a blink of an eye. Columbus, Ohio the home of the Buckeyes. Go Bucks! I think I could have lived here in the city inside a city. I have got to stop and sleep in a real bed. I think I'm far enough from California to not turn back. Two days behind the wheel is long enough. If I get an early start in the morning I'll be in New Haven by night fall.

Veronica pulled into a hotel parking lot not paying attention to the name. At this point she didn't care because she was beyond tired. She paid in cash and wearily drug herself away from the counter with overnight/computer bag in tow. She didn't notice anything but the inviting bed in the middle of the room. The door hardly had a chance to slam before Veronica dropped onto the bed immediately falling asleep.

She was jolted awake suddenly looking around the room. She looked at bedside clock which told her mockingly that it was 2 a.m. She let out a loud sigh as she dropped back onto the pillows. As she lay there her thoughts jumped to Wallace. Duncan and Logan had not entered her mind since that night on the beach. She wondered how he was doing after his third day of basic training. Then her mind jumped to their night on the beach. No one had ever made her feel so…so safe. She hoped for another perfect night. Before falling asleep the last thing in mind was pulling her best friend into a deeply passionate kiss goodbye. She went to sleep with a smile on her face.

She woke again a few hours later with the rising sun. She before getting on the road she sat at the hotel desk pulling out a hotel post card. She simply wrote:

My Dearest Wallace,

I have not stopped thinking about you since we parted. Come home safe. I'll be waiting.

I love you,

V

She put a stamp in the corner and dropped in the mailbox out front of the hotel. That should keep Wallace occupied for a little while. I know I'm evil but I don't want him forgetting about me.