Page 6 of Give Me Perfect Love

I’ve never been anywhere outside of that ten-cent town. I’ve never seen anything like this city. It’s vast, spreading outward as much as upward. My eyes stare through the foggy glass as more people stroll by and cars honk their horns.

The sun gilds the tall buildings that surround me. Scintillating buttery light warms me from the inside, melting the frost that’s inhabited me for so long. The sky is ocean blue, and stone has never looked so appealing.

It’s celestial, thrilling and…healing.

The shackles he locked me in unchain.

I feel my lips spread, my jaw unlocks, and the skin beside my eyes bends in split joy.

I’m smiling.

And I can’t remember the last time I did it genuinely.

My eyes water in pure happiness and tremendous relief.

God, thank you.

Thank you.

My coffee is placed in front of me, breaking me away from my thoughts, and I wipe at my face and sniff.

“How old are you, kid?”

I look at her nametag. “Eighteen… Lucy, how old are you?” My eyes reach her face.

She blanches and then smiles, and I see the red gum between her teeth.

“Old enough. Where are you coming from? I don’t believe I’ve seen you around here before.” She looks down at my suitcase.

“A few hours away.” I shrug, acting nonchalant, like I just wasn’t having the biggest moment of my life. I grab some sugar packets from the container. She places a silver creamer onto the table and slides it to me. “Thanks.”

“Sure, hon.”

“Do you happen to know of any apartments for rent around here?”

Lucy moves her gum around her mouth and looks me over suspiciously. In a way she makes me feel like I’m doing something wrong, but I’m eighteen now. This is perfectly legal.

“Johnny keeps some pamphlets on the counter. You can use the phone, too, if you need it. Come on over to the bar.”

I slide my purse over my shoulder, grab my suitcase and coffee, and move to the counter. There are a few men in work uniforms drinking coffee and eating, but none of them pay much attention to me.

I situate myself on the stool and place my purse on my lap after I make sure it’s zipped tightly. As I put my suitcase on the floor in front of me, Lucy slides the pamphlets over as well as the cordless phone.

After a few minutes of looking at several potential apartment buildings that aren’t too far from here, I pick the phone up and call the numbers listed.

Most have no units available for a few months, but there are two places that have some now, and I decide to look at them after I finish my coffee.

“Order’s up,” Lucy says as she places the hot plate of food in front of me.

“I didn’t order this,” I say as my stomach growls,

“Sounds like you need it, though,” she says, her eyes jumping down to my belly. “Have any luck?” She points her chin at the pamphlets.

I look down at the food.

Kindness is not something I’m used to. Coming from a world where everyone is about themselves, you don’t run across too many people who go out of their way for someone else. And just in this short time, Lucy has helped me in more ways than anyone ever has.

“Hey,” she says, snapping her fingers. “It’s just food. It ain’t gonna bite ya.” She slides a fork to me. “So, what about the apartments?”

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