Page 63 of Reclaiming Adelaide

Finding the store,Reeds, just where the woman said, I walked inside and headed straight for the electronic department. I grabbed myself a new burner phone, the most expensive ASUS laptop with a case they had, and a can of Rockstar energy drink.

Because why the fuck not?

I swiped the man’s credit card in three separate transactions to avoid flagging it, then walked to a fast-food restaurant across the street and ordered three burgers and a large fry. I took a back seat with a wide vantage point, then bit into my fresh burger, ready to fire up the laptop and phone.

The bright orange and burned brown-colored benches sank under the pressure as I bent over, plugged my laptop into the outlet below the table, and pressed the power button.

It felt good to have a computer under my fingertips again, almost like a rush of drugs in my system. The withdrawals that developed during my week of ‘celibacy’ gripped me hard, forcing me to fill my time with TV as a hopeful distraction.

I took a bite of my burger and wiped the juices off my chin with a napkin.

A middle-aged man sat by himself, sipping his drink while staring out of the big windows we sat next to, overlooking the parking lot and main street.

By the time I set up my computer and logged onto the internet, my first burger was down and half my fries demolished, but my stomach still rumbled as though I couldn’t get enough food in my belly. I started on the next burger and broke my phone out of the box.

Just like with the computer, a rush of endorphins formed a smile on my face as the smooth rectangle slid in my hands, the screen lighting up with the phone’s logo.

I’d missed the permanent brick that led to our intellectual destruction.

Three people had come and gone, sitting in the same place the middle-aged man once occupied, and the sun had started its descent to the other side.

I’d applied for a cash app, taking a hefty advance on Felicity’s new credit card, having memorized the number, and transferred it to the app.

Another burger down and my phone synced with my contacts and all of my passwords—it was as if I had never smashed my phone into the wall.

There was only one thing I needed to do, but I couldn’t seem to press the button to do it.

My thumb hovered over the button, my nerves flying like butterflies in my belly.

Just do it…

I closed my eyes and hit the button, peeking through my lids when the ringing came over the speaker.

It’s now or never.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Mom.”

17

She’dcriedonmyshoulder as she always did when we visited, her nose stuffy, eyes red.

“I just wish they could see us now.”

“I know.”

What would they say if they were alive now, knowing the criminal I’d become—the hardened beast I’d contorted into? Would I be the person I am today if they hadn’tdied?

I glanced back at the car. Adelaide must be getting antsy, especially with nothing to occupy her racing mind.

“We need to get going, Becca.” I rubbed her shoulder. “We’ll come back tomorrow.”

I’d booked us in at our usual hotel. Two rooms on the top floor with king-sized beds, a fully stocked mini-bar, and valet parking. And if I felt like dropping another ten grand a night, I could’ve had a butler. But I didn’t have one at home, so why now?

Becca nodded and used her small packet of tissues to wipe her nose as we walked back to the car.

A tall man dressed in a suit with a girl touting dark hair gave me pause until recognition had me grinding my teeth.

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