Heading For A New Life

by Margaret Smith

  They came to the edge and for a while just stood and watched as the hood, then the body, and then the rear bumper disappeared under the water. Large bubbles went through the water, circles scattered to the sides, and soon it became quiet again. Even the frogs, who had been silent, timidly started their song.

  — Let's go to?-shortcalled outChris,ripping outLaura of reverie. She nodded mechanically, but stood for a few more seconds, looking at the place where the car had sunk. That's all, now you should rely only on yourself. It was only now that Laura realized how much her own vehicle meant in their situation. And now he is gone.

  — By dawn we will get onto the road, and there it is an hour's journey to the highway. Chris helped Laura put on her backpack and grabbed both bags. - Are you really feeling fine?

  — Yes, she said quietly. The night was sweltering, hot, and sweat beaded on his forehead and temples. Her hair was unpleasantly clung to her neck, she constantly wanted to pick it up, but the elastic broke, and there was no other.

  They stayed in the lake house for almost a day, which, if not for injury and constant weakness, could have been an ideal rest. Chris was always there, and if he did not shower every inch of her body with kisses, then he just lay there, talking in a low voice about the past. About the Academy, about friends, about how he dreamed of flying. Laura was silent, absorbing his story, letting it pass through herself and dreaming that someday he would tell about what it was like there. And only in the late afternoon, when the sun was already sinking into the water, they decided to talk about what would happen next, deliberately pushing reality aside for later.

  — We'll have to get rid of the car, ”Chris said firmly, rinsing the dishes they had soiled. The house was tidied up, washed and tidied up (although Chris was mainly engaged in this, Laura helped as much as possible, which was still much less than she wanted).

  — How then do we get there?

  — To hitchhike. Chris sighed and added, looking away, "We'll have to split up."

  — What? Laura even stood up, glaring at his face.

  — You understand, ”he said dully,“ that they are looking for two. We have two phones, you will call me from every city you get to. Now we will lay the route, I will give you the map - the girl who asks for directions is more credible.

  — And you?

  — And I will follow you. If we're lucky, we'll both be in Washington tonight. If you get there first, stop at any small motel near the city. If you can find a private guesthouse, even better. I would not want to pull you out of hot spots.

  — Me and hot places are incompatible things, ”Laura smiled weakly.

  — Well yes. - Chris grunted skeptically, clearly recalling their first meeting.

  My soul was melancholy. So sad that I wanted to howl, looking at her, fragile, pale, defenseless. What is he even thinking about, how can he let her go alone? Chris thought about it all day, hugging him tightly, as if trying to save him from all the troubles at once. It seemed that this was pure betrayal, but did they have options? And Laura knew it. He knew that she understood, although she was desperately afraid and tried to be brave with all her might.

  — It's easy, ”she said, deliberately carefree. - Maybe I'll be lucky, and I'll get there with one driver. Plus, hundreds of people hitchhike, especially at this time of year.

  Chris just nodded in agreement, although his thoughts were far from rosy. Of course, at first glance, their plan seemed perfect, but at first everything also looked simple. Just get in the car. Just drive to Washington. Just give away the USB stick. Why did it all go wrong? Where did they stumble? How exactly were they able to be traced?

  It was getting light. The trunks of the trees protruded from the gloom, crisp, black. Gradually, the forest around came to life, birds woke up, bright butterflies appeared, flowers that had closed for the night raised their heads towards the sun. Everything around seemed peaceful, serene, inspiring a false sense of security. Laura walked, exposing her face to the rare rays of the sun, breaking through the tangle of dense branches overhead, and smiled thoughtfully. Everything will be fine - it was now believed with special force. It seemed to Laura that there was a straight road ahead without obstacles, of which there were too many lately. Maybe they'll get lucky, after all! The persecutors were not causing fear now - irritation and anger. And although Laura understood that these thoughts were the stupidest thing that could come to her mind now, she easily imagined like grabbing Bradford and Kelly by the breasts and shaking them until all their teeth fell apart. She even snorted softly as she imagined it.

  Chris turned involuntarily towards the sound and stopped, lowering his bags to the ground.

  — Are you okay? - He looked at her anxiously, noting a bright unhealthy gleam in his eyes.

  — Full! She exclaimed fervently. - You know, when they are imprisoned, I will specially come to the prison and will bill them for everything that we had to go through.

  — I suspect your outrage won't hurt them too much. But I like the idea of invoicing, it’s a pity that it is not feasible.

  — From what? Laura lifted her chin. - We have an excellent lawyer in mind. I am sure Denise will achieve compensation for material and moral damage.

  — Well, if Denise only takes it up, - Chris smiled, - then the case is doomed to success in advance.

  — Saint Denise, ”Laura muttered. The good mood vanished like a hand, the devil pulled to remember about her?

  Chris frowned. This was not the first time he noticed how annoying it was to mention Denise, but he could not find an adequate reason for this. Laura and Denise liked each other, Chris remembered their first meeting very well, and even then, when they came to say that they would have to take the flash drive, Denise was indignant, not Laura. What has changed now?

  — Is there something I don't know about? Did you have an argument?

  — You have to be friends to swear, and Denise is not my friend - yours.

  — Is it? I thought you got along.

  — I am clearly far from your close interaction. - Laura herself did not know what was pulling her to start this conversation right now - the moment was chosen completely inappropriate, but jealousy had already taken possession of her mind and now guided her language.

  — What do you mean? Yes, we have been friends for a long time, since when has it become a problem for you?

  — No problem, Chris. I'm glad for you, really.

  — Then why all this conversation? - Chris was genuinely perplexed, not even trying to figure out the labyrinths of the female soul. For him, friendship with Denise was as natural as breathing. Denise wasn't just a friend - she was his only family, and if Laura doesn't like that, well, she will have to come to terms.

  — No need, ”she answered quietly, wrapping her arms around herself. And she grimaced - she managed to forget about the wound, which immediately responded with a sharp pain in the entire shoulder. “I just want this to end sooner,” Laura added, barely audible. - I am so tired.

  — So do I. Chris sighed, pulling her towards him with one hand and covering his eyes. - I also.

  When they got to the road, Laura barely felt her legs: after all, lying in bed after being wounded and doing cross-country crossings are two different things. I wanted to sleep, my hands trembled from fatigue, but Laura tried not to show her face, because Chris probably would not let her go alone if he realized that not everything was as good as she was trying to show. And to split up is really their only way to get to the place.

  — Okay. ”She smiled lightly and pulled at the handle of the bag Chris was holding. - Time to say good-bye.

  Reluctantly, he let go of the bag and held out the phone.

  — Do you remember - call from every city in which there will be a stop. And when you sit down, also call so that I know where you are going.

  — Yes, my captain! - Laura playfully put her hand to her temple. - Everything will be OK.

  Chris opened his mouth to say something encouraging, but he couldn’t sa
y a word. He simply touched her forehead with his forehead, looking straight into her eyes, gently stroked her chin with his fingertips, slightly lifting and kissing. I wanted to say a lot: what cannot let go, what does not want to let go. She has no idea how she will live this day, knowing that she is somewhere there completely alone. Everything inside shrank, turned over, and my heart beat

  hard, dull.

  Laura was the first to break the kiss, stepped back, looked at him with a long, intent look, as if trying to remember exactly this: disheveled, with shadows under her eyes, with alarm in her dark eyes.

  —I am a practicing surgeon, Chris, not a little girl meeting her friend's overnight stay for the first time. Don't worry about me more than you should. I should rather worry about you.

  — You know how to inspire. Chris smiled and nodded toward the road. - Come on, go.

  I'll waitcall.

  He remained standing in the middle of the road, watching her retreating figure. Ahead, behind the edge of the forest, cars were rushing by, life was seething, and Chris suddenly felt acutely that he was completely alone. His heart sank, he with difficulty suppressed the impulse to rush after, to dissuade, to say that they would come up with another way, the main thing - together. But Laura was already out of sight, and all that remained was to clench and unclench her fists tightly, hoping that they had made the right choice.

  Going out to the highway, Laura lowered her bag to the ground and narrowed her eyes - after the forest twilight and silence, it was too noisy and bright around. People were driving somewhere, with their own affairs, worries, hopes, and she felt completely confused and alone. Chris's invisible support was absorbed into the blood, and without him, Laura felt as if she was standing naked in the middle of the crowd, and all attention was focused on her. What if she has already been noticed, what if the car will stop right now, people will jump out of it and push inside? Panic came up abruptly, squeezed my throat with a suffocating wave, and I had to take several deep breaths in order to calm down. It’s going to be all right — didn’t she herself talk about it a few minutes ago? It wasn't worth wasting time if she really wanted this whole lunatic asylum to end as soon as possible. The second car stopped, it was worth throwing up a hand with a raised thumb. A good-natured middle-aged white man with a bushy mustache sat behind the wheel, and a woman with curled yellow curls was smiling next to him, occupying almost half of the cabin.

  — Where are you going?

  — Generally - to Washington. Laura smiled broadly.

  — We can give you a ride to Indianapolis, ”the woman said.

  — Fine! Laura threw her bag and climbed into the back seat. - Anna.

  — Jessica. This is my husband, Cliff. Have you been resting?

  — Yes, - Laura sighed, - had a fight with her boyfriend, I had to interrupt my vacation a few days earlier.

  — I'm sorry. - Anna turned to her, anticipating a spicy story, and Laura did not disappoint her, only before starting, she took out her phone with an apologetic smile.

  — I need to call a friend, say that it is on the way.

  Three hours later, Anna's sympathetic sighs and two cupcakes with hot coffee from a thermos that were kindly treated to her, Laura got out of the car and waved her hand, thanks for the ride. The time was approaching noon, if it goes well, she would be in Washington by nine in the evening. But first it was worth having lunch and calling Chris to find out where he is now. Laura sighed - the weakness did not go anywhere, on the contrary, it became worse - she was beaten

  slight chills, an eloquent symptom of a rising temperature. Of course, with their luck, it was strange to hope that everything would work out, and there would be no inflammation. He would not have been if she were in bed, and not hitchhiking around the country. Laura brushed away the hair that had fallen over her eyes and looked around - the pharmacy was visible nearby, but who would sell her antibiotics without a prescription? One could take the risk and hope that she did not get worse on the way, but who can guarantee that? If he lost consciousness in someone else's car, they would probably be taken to the hospital, and did not even want to think about what would happen then. Of the two evils, Laura decisively chose the lesser and went to the pharmacy.

  As the day wore on, long shadows raced ahead of the cars, Chris couldn't calm down as he looked at his watch over and over again. Laura called at five, said that she had reached Cumberland, three hours away from the capital, it was now half past five, but Chris did not wait for the call that she had sat down.

  — Don't worry, we'll get there on time.

  The truck driver, a thick tattooed trucker Frank, who agreed to give Chris a ride to the suburbs of Washington, turned out to be extremely cheerful and responsive. All the way he told funny stories from his life on the road, and a couple of times Chris, despite his growing nervousness, even laughed at them sincerely. But still, the alarm did not let go, snaking along the spine in a burning cold, gathering in a ball in the stomach. Laura’s voice sounded tired the last time she called — she clearly didn’t tell the truth about how she was feeling. They agreed to meet in the suburbs, Chris wanted to make sure that everything was fine with Laura, leave her in the room and then go to his former friend, hoping that he did not change the address. If this happened, it’s even scary to think what to do next ... The phone call rang out so unexpectedly that Chris shuddered and almost missed the phone.

  — I'm almost there. - This time Laura spoke much more cheerfully, you could hear the music playing in the background. - See you soon.

  — Okay, - Chris couldn’t hold back a smile, feeling the stone lying on his soul roll down with a crash. - Do not be late.

  — I'm never late for a date.

  — Oh, is this a date?

  —Moreover, it is extremely romantic. - It was clear from her voice that Laura was smiling broadly, and her face instantly appeared before her eyes. The body was seized with lightness, so fast that it was even dizzy. Chris nodded, forgetting that she could not see him, and said:

  — Then I should think about colors.

  Laura snorted loudly, said goodbye and passed out, and he continued to press the phone to his ear, smiling stupidly.

  — Is the girl yours? Frank asked. Chris wondered if she was a girl? Who is Laura to him? And he

  to her?

  — Everything is complicated, - he finally said, looking at the road, colored with red feet -

  signals from passing cars. Let the main problem be solved first, and what the relationship will be like next can be solved later.

  — Come on, this is the most idiotic status you can think of for a relationship.

  You are either together or not. Do you love her?

  The question took me by surprise. Love? He felt bad without Laura, he was worried about her, he wanted

  to be constantly near, just to look, listen, feel. But is this love? He remembered the fear he'd literally lost his mind when he thought she was missing. And also: how her eyes sparkle when she laughs, how they darken with passion, how her voice sounds, confused and muffled, when she whispers his name. And with each recollection, my heart felt warm and almost painful.

  — Yes, - he said quietly, but firmly, and he himself was surprised at the confidence with which it sounded. - Yes, I love her.

  — See, it's not so complicated anymore, huh? Frank snorted and shook his head. - They come up with obstacles, then they themselves overcome them, why not live for their own pleasure? My Nancy and I are in our twenties together. And you know, everything is not complicated with us. I roll loads, she is waiting at home. So much for your whole life. Happiness as it is. Do you know what it is, this happiness is? So that someone is always waiting for you at home. That's all. And no dramas.

  Oh, yes, Chris knew that very well - simple human warmth is enough to make him feel happy. Would they do this with Laura? Why not? At that moment, all the reasons that he told himself over and over again, convincing them that they were not a couple for each other, seemed ridiculous
and far-fetched. Yes, Laura is rich, but why should money be an issue? Yes, he does not have the most ideal past, but if this does not bother her, then why should he care?

  For the rest of the way, Chris was silent, getting used to the feeling that settled inside: extraordinary lightness, light and warmth at the thought of Laura. And when lights appeared ahead, announcing the imminent end of the road, he was overcome with such impatience that he could hardly sit still. It seemed that they were going too slowly, that they were standing at the traffic lights for too long, that it was faster to get out and run forward towards her. They said goodbye to Frank at the junction - the truck went around the city, the road ahead led to Washington.

  — You wouldn't pull, admitted to your girlfriend. If she doesn't know yet. - Frank waved his hand goodbye. The engine roared, and soon the car was out of sight, and Chris, throwing the bag over his shoulder, went to the gas station in front of which the buildings were visible, and the suburbs began. He had just crossed the road when he saw Laura pulling out her phone. His heart leapt to his throat, his legs carried forward on their own, and Chris almost ran for the last yards.

  Laura already noticed, smiled, but when he approached, she suddenly felt embarrassed, froze, not knowing where to put her hands - she wanted to rush at him, hug him and never let go. As if they hadn't parted this morning, and hadn't seen each other for a week, no less. Chris himself wrapped his arms around her, hugged her and quietly, intermittently sighed. Laura was silent. She breathed it often, often, tightly shutting her eyes, feeling the anxiety letting go, and her legs give way from relief.

  — Where are my flowers? - She said in a weak voice, tightly squeezing his jacket on his back.

  — We didn't meet a single flower shop along the way, ”Chris answered hoarsely, reluctantly pulling back. “But I promise to shower you with flowers when it's over.

  — Not a bad promise, but better not. Laura smiled. - I'm allergic to pollen.