The Ruins of Our Lives Chapter 6

Randy's POV

I'm not even sure where to go now. I know I need to get out of here. I'm not even sure if I have enough money to get me anywhere.

Let's see. I have 160 dollars with me, and 2500 some odd dollars in the bank. Plus the money for college, but I don't want to tap into that. I'll need that for wherever I go. (Besides, I can't even access that for another year yet).

Where can I go? Milwaukee, maybe? No, that's too close to Detroit. How about…Chicago? Ugh. No. Just the thought of having to associate with Chicago Cubs fans makes me want to puke. Or is that the Tylenol with codeine? Maybe it's a combination of the two.

Maybe I'll just drive until I get to someplace that looks decent. God knows how long that'll take, but I just have to get the hell out of Detroit, and get the hell out of Michigan altogether.

At least my bank account is with a nationwide bank, so I don't have to worry about not being able to access my money.

Eight Days Later

Los Angeles is such a beautiful city, I think I'll just stay here.

The first thing I do is check into a motel. Then I buy a paper, and begin a search for apartments.

After about 10 minutes of looking, I find some that don't look too terribly expensive.

I check the number. 555-1181. I dial the number.

A man answers 'Hello'.

'Yes. I saw your ad in the paper about the apartments. I was wondering if I could rent one' I say, not really sure what to say, considering the fact I've never rented an apartment before.

'Sure. You can come by in about 20 minutes, and I'll show you around' the man offers.

I grab the keys to the Mustang, and head out the door. I stop by the motel front desk and grab a map of LA so I can find my way to the apartments.

20 minutes later, I'm at the apartment building, waiting on the man to get there.

I'm surprised when I see the man pull up in a lime green Aston Martin. I'm even more surprised when I see the man get out of the car. He must be at least 80, and kind of looks like a bald Hal Holbrook.

'I'm the guy that called about the apartments' I greet.

'Where's the rest of ya, son?' asks the man.

I don't really know how to reply to this, but it doesn't matter since the man doesn't give me a chance.

'Come on in. I'll show you the apartments that we have vacant' invites the old man.

'My name's Jackson' he introduces himself.

'Nice to meet you Jackson. I'm Randy Taylor' I say, extending my hand to shake his. The gesture isn't returned.

'I don't care much for hand shaking' explains Jackson.

'Just let me get the keys, and we can be off to see the apartments. I got three of 'em available' Jackson says.

Again, the man makes a statement that is hard to reply to. So I go with a simple 'okay'.

'Now this first one has a nice view outside, but you have to furnish it yourself' Jackson informs me.

I know that that just won't do at all, since I have limited finances, but I still look at the apartment just to be polite.

'This next one has everything in it, including a dishwasher and a microwave oven' states Jackson.

It looks good, but the view isn't so nice. So we move onto the third one.

After seeing this one, I would venture to guess that it's true what they say, "the third time's a charm".

The third apartment was completely furnished and had a wonderful view.

'I'll take this one' I say after the grand tour.

'Okay. The rent is 125, and then another 70 for utilities' Jackson informs me.

A little high end, but considering everything, it's pretty affordable.

'You'll need to come down to my office and sign some papers' says Jackson.

'You can move in in a couple of days' he adds.

'Okay' I respond simply.

I follow Jackson downstairs to his office. There I sign the necessary papers, and walk away with a permanent place to live.

Okay, now things are starting to fall into place. Now I just need a job.

Damn! I just thought about something. In all of the panic of trying to get away from Detroit, I completely forgot about someone! Lauren! What will she think? I didn't even think to explain anything to her.

I'll just have to call her when I get back to the motel. I need to call Wilson too like I said I would.

Somebody took what I deemed "the perfect parking space" while I was gone apartment shopping. Now I have to park in the sun. Oh well.

Once inside the room again, I grab my duffel bag and toss it on the bed. Then I lay down beside it, and dig through it to find my address book. It doesn't take long. Then I find Lauren's number, and dial it.

I sat there and just prayed that Lauren would answer, and not her parents or sisters.

'Hello' answers Lauren. Finally, a familiar voice!

'Hi Lauren' I say, smiling uncontrollably.

'Randy! Oh my God, Randy!' she yells at the top of her lungs.

'Lauren, you gotta keep it down, I can't have people knowing where I am' I say.

'Where are you anyways? You're mom and brother is pissed that you and Mark left together' says Lauren.

'Mark isn't with me. I left him with Wilson. Me, I'm in California. That's all I can say' I answer.

'Randy, where? How do I get a hold of you?' she asks, sounding a little annoyed that I won't reveal my location.

'In LA. But don't tell anyone Lauren. And you can't get a hold of me. I have to get a hold of you. I can't have my mom or Brad finding out where I am' I reply.

'What about Wilson? Does he know where you are?' Lauren asks, continuing the bombardment of questions.

'No. I'm calling him next' I say.

'Randy, someday I want you to tell me where you live. I want to move there. We can go to college together, or at least live together. I miss you so much' gushes Lauren.

'I miss you too. You don't know how often driving up here I wished you were with me' I say, letting a lone tear trickle out my eye, and down my cheek.

'I'm sorry Randy, I have to go now. I want you to call me back soon though. Promise me you will' Lauren says. I can tell now that she's crying.

'I promise' I say, starting to cry myself.

'I love you Randy. And someday we'll be together again' says Lauren, crying harder now.

'I love you too. Someday I will get you moved down here' I say back, through a sea of tears.

For a couple of minutes, we just sit there crying. Then Lauren hangs up, and I follow suit.

Next I call Wilson.

A/N: I'll have the call between Wilson and Randy in the next chapter.

I'm sorry if the fees and information for the apartment is wrong, but you can add renting an apartment to the list of things I've never done before.

Please read and review, I do appreciate getting reviews.

-Yours truly, Randy Taylor