Page 11 of Ever After

“I’m going to take a shower. Take whatever side you want.” He walks off and shuts the bathroom door. I take the side of the bed farthest away from the room door. This is the spot I always choose. I feel safe when the man is closest to the door.

The soundof Jay closing the room door startles me out of my sleep. Jay is walking in with trays of food in his hand, and my stomach starts to growl.

“Good morning. Hungry?” he asks.

Still reeling from the night before, I swing my legs over the bed, confused at what I’ve done. I went back to this guy's hotel without even knowing him. He could be a murderer for all I know. If he was though, wouldn't I be dead by now? Most likely. The alcohol and adrenaline from last night made me not think clearly. Luckily it turned out okay.

“Yeah, actually. I could go for some food.” I look over at the alarm clock on the nightstand. It’s one in the afternoon. I knocked out last night. I don’t remember Jay getting into bed after he went to take a shower.

Then the realization hits, I have no clothes, and no place to stay after this. Sickness hits my stomach just thinking about going back to that hotel room to get my clothes. My eyes are fixed at the table as I sit down. Taking a plate, I serve myself pancakes he’s offering. Jay lays a bunch of topping out in front of me. Taking some bananas and strawberries, I top my pancakes with them.

“I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I grabbed a lot of choices,” he states.

“You did good. I’m not a picky eater. I like everything.”

“Did you sleep well?” Jay asks.

“Yes, I don’t even remember falling asleep or you getting into bed.” I push around my food. I was hungry a second ago. The sickness in my stomach made it disappear.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m feeling sick to my stomach just thinking about seeing him and grabbing my clothes.” I wrap my arms around my stomach.

“Why don’t you stay with me for the next week? We both could use the company.”

That sounds better than staying here alone. Am I crazy about doing this?

“You wouldn’t mind?” I ask.

“No. I enjoy your company.”

Knowing I won’t be alone in this beautiful place helps the tension in my stomach subside. I slowly release my arms around from my midsection and sit up a little taller. My clothes, how am I going to get them? I don’t want Aiden to know I’m staying here. He might stay and try to follow me.

As Jay eats his eggs, I look over at him. “I’m going to go get my clothes. If I tell Aiden I’m leaving back home, I don’t think he’ll try to stay. I don’t know how I’ll go get my clothes without him following me around after I leave, though. I expect him to do that.”

“Would he follow you after what he did?”

“I think he might, yeah. After seeing my face, the look on his was devastating.” I reach over and grab some eggs to eat.

“I’ve seen that face before. The devastation makes little sense when they are the ones who betrayed us and got caught.”

I agree and try to come up with a plan. I need to get my clothes and leave as fast as I can without him being able to follow me. I could really use a car. While walking with a suitcase, there’s no way I can get away fast enough. He’ll know if I’m not in a car.

“Do you mind if I borrow your phone? I want to make sure Aiden doesn’t suspect I’m lying and trying to stay, I want to see what flights there are to go home. I know he’ll stay if he knows I’m staying, and it’ll ruin what’s left of my trip if I run into him. I still haven't turned on my phone.” Jay pulls his phone out of his pocket and hands it to me. Using the internet, I search for information. There is a flight flying out tonight at eight o’clock. I’ll tell Aiden I’m leaving on that one. By the time he knows I’m leaving, it would be too late for him to get on the flight. I’m praying he just leaves and I can pretend none of this is happening for the next week.

“There is a flight leaving tonight at eight. I could tell him I’m getting on that one. Do you have a rental car by chance?” I ask.

“Yep, sure do.”

“I need a car to leave quickly. He might follow me, and I won’t be fast enough walking while dragging a suitcase.”

“You need a car anyway if he’s going to believe you’re going to the airport. I should go with you.”

“Who will you say you are?” I reach over and pour myself some orange juice.

“Just tell him I'm your Uber driver. At least I'll be there if he tries to stop you.”

That’s a good idea. “Is this all too much for you? I feel like I’m a stray dog you found on the street and you feel obligated to take care of me.” I let out a sad chuckle and try to make the best of it, but I still feel bad.

---