Page 44 of Home Changes
The woman gave a slight nod.
“Are you in trouble?” Allison asked, standing and offering her hand.
“I don’t wanna talk about it. But I need help.”
“Then you’ve got it. People in this town, they’re the best. No one here will hurt you. I promise.”
They walked up the stairs together, and when they reached the top, Allison unlocked the door and helped the woman step inside.
“What do you need first? Food, water, or a shower? I’ll bring you some clothes to wear.”
The woman’s eyes scanned the cozy space. “A shower. Then maybe some medicine. I can’t stop shaking. I think I’ve got a cold. Or a fever.”
“Probably because you’ve been outside and not eating well,” Allison said.
The woman nodded weakly.
“Are you strong enough to take a shower? There’s a bench in there if you get dizzy.”
“Yeah. I’ll be okay.”
Allison led her to the bathroom. “There’s shampoo, conditioner, and soap in there. The towels are clean and on the rack. I’ll grab you some clothes.” She turned to leave but paused. “What’s your name?”
The woman’s eyes widened with fear.
“Hey, now,” Allison said quickly. “You don’t haveto tell me. It’s okay. As I said, we’re not going to hurt you here. I’m just trying to help.”
The woman wrapped her arms tighter around herself, glancing nervously up and down the hallway.
“Loretta. My name is Loretta.”
“That’s a pretty name,” Allison said with a soft smile. “Go ahead and take your shower. I’m not calling anyone. I won’t say anything to anybody. I want you to feel safe. My boyfriend will be here in about an hour or so. You’ve got plenty of time to shower and eat. He won’t hurt you either. He’s prior military, and he’ll protect us.”
Loretta gave a wary nod. “The one with the dog?”
Allison nodded. “Yeah. That’s a military working dog. Or he was. He’s retired now.”
“I heard the conversation.”
Allison’s brow knit. “How?”
Loretta rubbed her forehead. “I’ve been hiding under your boardwalk. That’s how I knew there were clothes in the deposit box. And how I could get food out of your trash can.”
Allison blinked, stunned, and her mouth fell open. “How long?”
“I’m not sure. Two, maybe three, weeks.”
Allison took a slow breath and nodded. “Okay.You go on and take your shower. Take as long as you like. I’ll leave the clothes right outside the door so you can feel safe. Lock it if you want.”
Loretta gave a grateful nod and shuffled into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
Allison leaned back against the hallway wall, exhaling hard. “Holy smokes,” she whispered, rubbing her face. Her thoughts spun, but one rose to the top.
What the hell do I do now?
Food first. And something to drink.
The woman, Loretta, was nothing but skin and bones. It was no wonder she was sick. Exposure to the elements, a lack of food, and no clean place to wash up would wear anyone down. Allison wasn’t even sure if the bruises still existed beneath the layers of grime, but now that she’d made contact, maybe she could gently talk Loretta into letting her call Ken. Or better yet, Zeke Johnson. The town’s doctor would absolutely take her in pro bono. That’s just what they did here.
