Page 16 of Show Me How
“How often do the people in your life offer you the same kindness, Millie?”
“I’m sure you can come to that conclusion on your own.”
He pauses, his jaw working as we turn onto the main street. The windshield wipers swish at a quick pace, but the rain is still falling too hard for them to do much.
“Why did you run?”
I swallow. “Because for my entire life, I’ve been forced to live a certain way, and I guess I finally found a backbone when I was being married off to someone who I didn’t love.”
A subtle jerk of his chin is the only answer he offers me, and I sit in the silence, marinating in it. I’m not sure what I was hoping to hear him say, but maybe it’s better he didn’t say anything.
It will be easier to say goodbye tonight this way.
“If you tellthe woman in the office that you know me, she’ll put you up in one of the better cabins. This place isn’t one of the fancy resorts that I’m sure you’re used to, but it’s run by good people, and for tonight, you’ll be safe and warm.”
I nod along to his words, my stomach clenching painfully as the reality of staying in an unfamiliar place alone has started to set in. The rain is nothing more than a sprinkle in Oak Point, and I know I need to get inside the office . . . but I can’t seem to.
“There’s a second-hand shop in town that might have something more your size if you didn’t want to wear the clothes I gave you. And Maggie’s is open at five in the morning for breakfast. She makes the best coffee—if you like coffee,” he adds, sliding his hands awkwardly into the pockets of his jeans.
“I do like coffee,” I blurt out.
Shade turns to look at the cabin that’s used as the camp office. “Do you want me to come in with you? I could talk her into giving you a better deal. The last week of September is shit for tourists, so you shouldn’t have any problem getting a good cabin.”
“No, I’ll be okay.” Pulling the soft clothes into my chest, I take a step closer to him, drawing his attention back to me. “I guess I just don’t know the right way to say goodbye.”
“Yeah, me neither. Usually, I avoid having to do that.”
“Should we hug?” I ask, immediately wanting to smack myself in the face.
The laugh that escapes him takes away from my embarrassment. He takes a single step forward and pulls me into his body. With his arms wrapped tightly around me, I press my cheek to his chest and palm his back with my free hand, the muscles thick and warm despite the cool fall night.
“It was nice meeting you, Millie.”
“Yeah, it was nice meeting you too, Shade. Thank you for tonight.” I pull back first and force myself to smile before nodding to the camp office. “I should head inside.”
He nods, the action clunky. “Yeah, you’ll get sick standing outside in wet clothes.”
“Are you going to walk back?”
“I’ll find a ride. Don’t worry your pretty little head about it.”
“Alright.”
I start toward the office, every step feeling like I’m wading through tar. Shade lifts two fingers into the air and waves.
“Goodbye, princess.”
“Goodbye,” I whisper, knowing he won’t be able to hear me.
Then, I’m turning forward and rushing out of the rain, this night turning into a memory that I hope I never forget.
6
MILLIE
The rock-hard mattressbeneath me doesn’t so much as creak when I sit up. There’s no give to it, and I’m feeling painfully sore after two nights in these scratchy sheets.
I stare at the small TV on the dresser in front of the bed and hesitate to get up. I’m exhausted despite having done nothing but venture to the gas station for food. My hopes weren’t high the first time I left the campground to find something to eat, but when I spotted the prepaid phones tucked behind the register, I felt a sprinkle of relief.
