IF
Nowhere to Run
Anjalia T. Chase
ANJALLIA T. CHASE
Book 1: Morgan Series
* * *
Copyright @2016, Publication @2017
This book is dedicated to all those that embrace being “weird” or those that want to embrace it.
Contents
1. Beginning
2. Before
3. Now
4. Stretch
5. Handle
6. Embrace
7. Decision
8. IF
9. Rain
1
Beginning
MINERVA COULD HEAR the clicking of her heels as she crosses the Brooklyn Bridge. Through the fog glimpses of the torch light from the Statue of Liberty. She read somewhere the Liberty statute isn't considered a colossus... she wondered what statues were a colossus.
A woman paces near a bench. It is a cold New York City morning. The woman is wearing jeans, workman boots, a hoodie and gloves. Minerva smiles: the shabby state of the woman meant she's experiencing dreadful financial situation. No one would willing be on the Brooklyn Bridge when its 20 degrees with no coat at 4 am if there wasn't an urgent need.
* * *
"Hello Alison" She announces herself.
Alison shoves her hands into the hoodie and stepping away from Minerva.
* * *
"Where's my money Minerva?" Alison asked.
* * *
Minerva places a bag on the bench. "A present."
* * *
Alison watches Minerva as she approaches the bench. She grabs the bag without dropping eye contact. Alison removes a coat from the bag.
* * *
"You didn't answer my question." Alison said. She stops shivering.
* * *
"I said I give you a $1000 to talk to me. We haven't talked yet. Here's $500 to help ease your mind." Minerva stated.
Alison snatches the money out of her hand. She marks the bills to check for counterfeits.
* * *
Paranoid behavior like this usually annoys Minerva but watching Alison. She could smell the desperation. Alison needed this offer from her even if she found Minerva suspicious.
* * *
"I told you this is about your sister." Minerva said.
* * *
"She is not my sister." Alison said.
* * *
"Not by blood. You can get $1000 today from me or you can ease up on the attitude and change your life." Minerva said.
* * *
"Why would you help me? Why do you care?" Alison asked.
* * *
"This is about your sister... You’re renting a room at the YWCA for $900 a month. Did you move to NYC to scrap the bottom of the city? Of course not. I have keys to a four bedroom flat located three blocks west side of Central Park. I will pay you $3000 a month be an active sister in Camryn's life again" She said.
* * *
"What! Okay my dream of living in New York hasn't been exactly what I wanted ... what do you want with Camryn?" Alison asked.
* * *
"That's not your concern." Minerva stated.
* * *
"You’re giving me prime real estate and hiring me to reconnect with my sister. It is my concern." Alison said.
* * *
"Give you real estate?" Minerva asked.
* * *
"Unless there's another sister, yes, giving me real estate. You will put the property in my name." Alison stated.
* * *
Minerva admires Alison. She is desperate enough to come out for $1000 but realizes this is her best chance. Minerva's wealthy giving up one flat to a desperate woman ---so what.
* * *
"I'll start the paperwork but you must do a drug test." Minerva said.
* * *
"I'm not a junkie." Alison stated.
* * *
"You want the keys you take the test. You can't reappear in Camryn's life being a burden." Minerva stated.
* * *
"What do you want with her?" Alison said.
* * *
"I said it's not your concern. I'm not repeating." Minerva said. She wishes this plan could work without Alison.
* * *
"I want $5000 a month." Alison said.
* * *
"I'll start you with three, once you demonstrate your ability we renegotiate." Minerva said.
* * *
"Well unless Camryn has another sister....
* * *
"Stop. You're being greedy. The technicality Camryn is your sister is the only reason you're getting this offer. So don't bite the hand that feeds you. "Minerva said.
* * *
Alison isn't surprised someone odd like Minerva taken an interest in her baby sister. She's lived on the verge of homelessness for too long. All she had to do was make nice with Camryn and receives money.
* * *
"If I give you confirmation of a face to face with my baby sister I want a bonus... $10 thousand?" Alison said.
* * *
Minerva smiles. It will be a shame when I kill this one. She's like a rat swimming in water. Her survival skills is all this one had to rely on for years.
* * *
"If you provide proof in one week I'll give you $100 thousand. You provide proof in one month I'll give you $50 thousand." Minerva said.
* * *
"You think I can't do it." Alison stated.
* * *
"Money is a remarkable motivator. I look forward to see what you can do Alison. Here's the other $500 and the address to the office you will need to go to for the drug test. Call my office in three days the test results should be in and schedule an appointment with my assistant. She is expecting your call. Meanwhile, the paperwork for the flat will be ready for you." Minerva said.
She extends her hand to Alison and they shake hands. Minerva walks away from Alison. She’s received information about Alison's life.
* * *
In 30 minutes Alison landed $1000 in cash and a new coat---that's New York for you. She goes to a restaurant's early bird breakfast with coffee. It's the best thing she's eaten in days.
* * *
Alison wonders what this woman wants with Camryn. She needs the money …but contacting Camryn. Alison ate and chuckles to herself the times Camryn brought home a stray animal. Camryn could never keep them. Camryn always talked to herself--well she said she was talking to a ghost.
Alison wants the bonus, she needs it. Alison went back to her room and opens her laptop. She searches for Camryn Morgan on Facebook to her surprise her sister's profile. A photo of Camryn smiling, the same mega white smile. She's grown into an attractive woman. Alison thought for a moment, so Camryn is now...34...wow 34! It's been years. Would Camryn to talk to her?
* * *
It sucks being poor anywhere but poor in the US means limited options. There's little mercy and less compassion for those in need. Alison types a message and stops. What does she say?
Jensen clicks on the keyboard as Andrew paces the room.
* * *
"You please sit down?" Jensen asked.
* * *
"I'm sorry". Andrew said, "She stole $400 of my money and the bank told me basically it's my problem."
* * *
"I'm not finding anything on this computer. She took her laptop correct?" Jensen said.
* * *
"Yes" Andrew said.
* * *
"Andy, Camryn isn’t stupid. Her cellphone's last used in the Gallup area...as long as she stays out of trouble there isn't anything the police can do. Its $40
0 I don't see a judge being willing to grant access to investigate her finances. Sorry man. "Jensen said.
* * *
"What about searching for her as a missing persons?" Andrew asks.
* * *
"She's not missing. Her clothes are gone. She quit her job and took her name off of bills." Jensen said.
* * *
"I can't believe she did this to me!" Andrew said.
* * *
"My advice wait a few weeks, she's not invisible. She's going to rent an apartment and utilities turned on. You're better off using an online service to find her and sue her in small claims court." Jensen said.
* * *
"I thought we were happy." Andrew said.
* * *
"...in a few weeks you may not want to pursue this at all. It's not like it's going to be hard for you to find a new woman." Jensen said.
* * *
Andrew loudly exhales, "thanks for checking Jensen, appreciate it." He said.
* * *
Jensen buckles his seat belt and drives out of the parking lot. Camryn last used her credit card in Albuquerque. He also knows Andrew didn't treat her well so he had no desire to help him find her. As long as Andrew thought he is trying to help he'll keep him in the loop.
Camryn had few clothes. She's gone from a size 14 to a size 22 since being with Andrew. She sold her car for $1000. She needs a new car plus if Andrew use his police buddies to track her down…maybe this will slow them down. Grown men falling all over themselves trying to win favor with Andrew. All because he could throw a football in high school.
* * *
Camryn reviews her life. In elementary school when no boys were around --- she's considered the smartest kid in class. She witnessed the teachers select a male student for 'Most likely to succeed" the same male student had stolen money from a teacher and cheated on several tests. In this world morals isn’t a barometer to success.
* * *
She didn't want to "succeed" in life by cheating and stealing ...perhaps that's her mistake. She dated guys that acknowledged her intelligence when convenient for them. She's "smart enough" to figure out something they didn't want to mess with otherwise her intelligence is annoying.
* * *
Her favorite 'you would be so much cuter if...she did something with her hair, lost 30 pounds, wore different clothes, spoke a different way ...there is always some condition before approval. She rarely got it so she learned to live without the praise and approval.
* * *
She decides she looks good for herself, eventually someone else will agree.
* * *
She shook the flu after two weeks. She views her online mail box. Camryn is thankful she found a network marketing group that trained her on how to make affiliate marketing work. She wonders if the photo on Wesley’s Facebook page really is him. Wesley is not only really attractive but his coaching has helped her make real money online finally. She smiles she made another commission now her payout is $3,500. She needs this money.
* * *
She sits on the bed as she plugs in headphones listens to classical music. She is concerned if she and Anna will get along. Where would she go if they hate each other? A few job interviews already lined up but without a car... she must figure out the public transit system. Until she can purchase a replacement car.
* * *
Camryn wishes she was the legendary strong black woman that’s featured in movies and TV shows.
* * *
Camryn looks around her motel room. The upside to the situation- she no longer feels the need to hid taking Wellbutrin. Maybe when she repairs her life she’ll no longer feel depressed and not need the medication.
* * *
The alarm on her phone rings, she walks to the bathroom counter. She's relieved her missed period is due to stress not a baby. She would be a horrible mother.
* * *
Camryn is surprised when she sees an email notice from Facebook on her phone.
* * *
She is taken aback.
* * *
Camryn,
* * *
Hello it's your sister Alison. I'm sure you're surprised to receive this message from me. I've been thinking about you and want to apologize for being such an asshole. If you can meet me half way please call me 917-833-4242. I live in NYC so depending on where you are there's 2-3 hours difference in the time zone. Honestly call me whenever.
P.S. I doubt anyone ever told you anything about your birth parents and I can tell you what I know if you want the information.
* * *
You're SISTER- Alison.
* * *
Camryn clicks off the message. Alison. Camryn's phone buzzes Anna's downstairs. Camryn grabs her bag. Seeing the message from Alison unnerves her.
Patty knocks on Jensen's desk. "Walk with me" she said.
Jensen grabs his jacket and follows her out the door. They say nothing until reaching the walking trail.
* * *
"No more bullshit Jensen, why are you looking for this girl and why is this a secret?" She asked.
* * *
"She's Andrew's ex-girlfriend." He said.
* * *
"Still being Andrew’s clean up man…somethings never change.” Patty said.
* * *
"I’m trying to find her before Andrew does?" He said.
“Why? So you can tell him where is?” Patty asked.
“No.” He said.
Patty walks away from Jensen.
“I’m not!” Jensen said.
Miyu places a few slices of peppermint gum into her mouth. She was shoved aside during a threesome that became a duo. She chews on gum while she wanders around downstairs.
* * *
"Why are you down here?" Josh asked.
* * *
"They didn't need me." Miyu said.
* * *
Josh frowns at Miyu. "They asked for you." He said.
* * *
Miyu shrugs. What am I supposed to do jump between them? She wonders.
* * *
Miyu blows a bubble. She's been stuck in Denver too long. She hated Denver. She couldn't leave until Josh finished his... dispute with his business partner. Miyu is part of a small staff of medically trained people to provide support for PeterSon Discretion Group (PDG) members.
* * *
Her parents were horrified when they realized she wasn't kidding about becoming a sex surrogate. As far as her parents were concerned she had years of nursing school for nothing. She always liked sex. She’s not making porn. Her parents tell people she's working as a private nurse—which is true in a way.
* * *
The adventure today a threesome fantasy--it's on her bucket list. Miyu inhales a joint. She needs something to balance out the disappointment from the evening. Her threesome fantasy remains on her bucket list--- for now.
* * *
"Josh, if she continues avoiding you, what are you going to do?" Miyu asked.
* * *
"She's my business partner. She can't avoid me forever." Josh said.
* * *
Miyu wonders if Josh remembers the temperament of his business partner.
Camryn recalls when Anna's sister, Lisa came to visit her in Silver Springs. She let Lisa borrow her car and she didn't see her again until the gas tank was empty. Camryn hopes Anna has better manners than Lisa.
* * *
Camryn decides to actively do things that supports and loves herself. She will eat well and break the chaotic eating cycle. She moves her body. Call center work, being depressed and allowing herself to stay in an abusive relationship ---all equaled being obese for her. She understands the weight is a symptom of things in her life and not solely the issue.
IF: Nowhere To Run (Camryn Morgan Series Book 1) Page 1