Page 4 of Writing On The Wall

Knowing that my sanity is hanging by a thread, I’ve quickly established my own routine. For instance, I ensure I have a full bottle of water by refilling it at the last place I visit. This is my final normal act before slipping into my alternate life.

My little routine is simple, but I know it’s important for my state of mind.

I wait until sunset to sort through the clothes I plan to wear tomorrow and lay them on the seat behind me, next to my wedges. I retrieve my toiletry bag from the glove compartment and use travel supplies to clean my face and brush my teeth. This is where the water comes in handy. After checking the road for lurkers, I do a quick swish and spit onto the sidewalk. It probably looks gross, I know, but this isn’t a long-term thing—so don’t judge me.

Next, I recline my seat as far as it’ll go, grabbing my pillow and blanket from underneath the piles of things behind me. Pro tip: When living in your car, the actual sleeping accessories are the most important things to hide—they’re a dead giveaway and raise too many questions. Not that I want anybody to ever end up in this situation.

I get through the night relatively well. It’s not comfortable, but again, I don’t plan on doing it much longer, so I muster through because Ross said he’ll have my money soon.

Waking up is another thing. The level ofwhere the hell am I?in those first few seconds is unmatched.

There’s a chill in the car this morning, even though the temperatures don’t usually drop too drastically in this part of Texas. I start the engine, holding my hands over the vents to warm them. But the thing I miss the most about having my own apartment isn’t a warm bed or a hot shower. Nope. It’s having aplace to pee at 5 AM in the morning. Even in the most primitive form of camping, you can find a bush to squat behind. But when you’re parked on a quiet suburban street, those kinds of things are frowned upon.

I reach for my stash of breath mints in a cup holder and suck one while driving the two minutes it takes me to get to the nearest Starbucks. This is my pee stop. As much as my veins crave a caffeinated fix, I’d be less than broke too quickly if I added daily coffee purchases to my routine.

After Starbucks is a ten minute drive to the gym for a shower, and then the transformation from my night-life to my day-life is complete.

At the end of the school day when I’m alone in my classroom again, Toby walks in, holding two cups of coffee.

“Oh my word, you’re an angel!” I sing, practically snatching one out of his hand.

“Those could have both been for me, you know.”

“Uh-uh” I mumble over a sip, the steam fogging my glasses. “That would be weird. That’s good coffee. Where’d you get this?”

“I may have put my own machine in the utility closet in my classroom.”

A burst of laughter wants to erupt, and I barely avoid a spit-take. “You did not.”

“I swear. The coffee here sucks. It’s a matter of survival.”

“Who else knows about this?”

“Just you.” He grins over his cup.

“You’re my supplier now. I can’t go back to the bad stuff.”

“A wonderful sentence for a second-grade teacher to be saying.”

“We can call it a girlfriend perk.” I slump back, tilting my head wistfully. “It really is a pity I don’t find you wildly attractive.”

“Stop, you’ll make me blush.”

“You know what I mean.”

“I do. It would be convenient if I didn’t already think of you as a sister. It’s too bad you’re not my type, either.”

“I’m not sure I’m anyone’s type,” I grumble with only a tinge of sarcasm. That statement is a little too on-the-nose.

“Vee—”

“This isn’t about me,” I swat his words away, shifting onto a desk, and Toby scoots beside me. “Let’s talk fake relationship. How’re we doing this thing?”

“I’m thinking a few dinners, maybe some photos of us together to sell it? I’ll tell my parents it’s just casual and new. My mom will love you, though, which will momentarily distract her from my other shortcomings.”

“They’re only shortcomings to her, Bee. You’re a catch.” I sip, swinging my legs as they hang off the desk. “How long are we doing this thing for, anyway?”

“Till my brother moves back in two months? By then, mom will have a new grandbaby to focus on.”

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