Page 91 of Free to Run
“Excuse me” I barely manage to get out.
“Alison?” The voice asks incredulously.
No, please don’t let it be someone I know. I focus through my tears and pain to see Colby’s familiar face.
“What happened?” He demands.
I shake my head. I can’t talk about it. Not to him.
I’m not sure to anyone.
“I have to go.” It’s all I can manage.
“You shouldn’t be going anywhere but home in this condition.” He retorts.
I don’t have a home anymore. I have nothing. No one. Except this precious life growing inside me. Even as I shake my head wildly, I manage to get out, “I need Jared.”
Jaw tightening, he mutters, “You can’t walk there in this condition.”
Colby, you have no idea what condition I’m in. As he tries to wave down a cab for me, I fire off a text Jared.
Alison: Do you have time to see me?
Jared: Of course.
Alison: I’ll be there in 15.
Jared: Everything OK?
Alison: No.
Jared; Booze or more?
Alison: More. Much more.
Jared: Shit.
Well put, Jared.
Gathering what little strength is left in my body, I slide into the taxi Colby miraculously manages to wave down. I’m too numb to care when he slips in beside me telling me he has business in that area of the city. Whatever. After I give the driver Jared’s office address, I watch the city pass by me through a flood of tears.
I stagger out of the car at Jared’s office, I don’t remember saying goodbye to Colby. Or thank you.
I don’t remember much of anything.
* * *
“Areyou sure you want to do this, Ali?” Jared asks quietly. The contracts are laid out on the table before us.
I’ll be gone at least a month, maybe more. Charleston, South Carolina. The last place anyone will think to look for me. The root of all my hell.
Or so I thought until an hour ago.
It’s amazing how much perspective life can provide to you when you have no blood going to your heart.
“Yes, I’m certain. How many days do I have to be there?” My voice is void of emotion.
He sighs. “Three. That barely gives you enough time to go home and pack, Ali.”
