Page 5 of Ten Minutes

“Right.” I nod, pretending I know as much while digging through my bag to get some cash.

“I got it, sweetheart,” the elderly man says as he hands the cashier his bank card.

“Oh, um... thank you. That’s not necessary.”

The lady by his side nods. “You save your money, honey, and spend it on a Christmas gift for the baby. Buy him something cute.”

“Him?” I ask. I’ve given no clues away to the gender.

She grins, and her significant other chuckles. “My wife ordered the same thing for breakfast when she was pregnant, and each time, it was a boy. We’ve got three of them. Grown now, with their own kids.”

“Oh, the grandkids are so much fun!” The woman cuts in, her eyes sparkling with the love she has for her family. She places her hand in mine, tugging me to the table they were occupying. “We couldn’t help but overhear you’re looking for directions. My Sam and I have lived here for forty-eight years. If anyone can tell you where to go, it’s us.”

“Wow, forty-eight?”

“Yep. Sam, help out this sweet young lady, would you, please?”

“Already one step ahead of you, Trish. I was getting a piece of paper.” He hands us one of the cashier’s empty tickets, turning it over. On the back, he’s drawn me a map. “Now, you want to go back to 35, then this way a little, and you turn here. Go a ways down this road, about ten minutes past a bar on the side of the road. You’ll see a few turnoffs, but you want the second one. The road will disappear between some trees. It looks like it goes nowhere, but the compound’s back there. They’ll stop you at the gate, so think about what you want to say when you get there.”

“Thank you. Your kindness won’t be forgotten.”

Trish waves me off. “It’s what we do here. Gotta help each other out or else what kind of world would we be living in?”

Nodding, the cashier brings my food. Sam hands her some tip money, squeezing her shoulder with affection. I have a feeling several of those forty-eight years have been stopping in here to share their kindness while enjoying the burgers.

“You take care of yourself, and good luck with finding your friends.”

“Thank you again, and take care.”

Wolfing down the burger like a starved beast, I study the map and continue to check my surroundings. I’m states away, yet still paranoid Tommy and Jack will waltz through the door and drag me back home.No, I refuse to call that place home. It’s time for a change, and as far as anyone else knows, I’m a Texan.

The map is basically made up of a couple of scribble lines all connected and a few dots on each side to indicate the bar and Sadie’s Haven. If it’s so bare out there, then it can’t be too hard for me to find. I have to save as much of my money as possible. I’m not sure how much it’ll cost for them to take me in or if I’ll be able to find a job anytime soon. Looks like the only choice I have is to walk.

Asking for a to-go cup of hot water, I grab my bag and begin my trek. It’s chilly outside, and I need the water to help keep me warm. I didn’t bring my heavy jacket because I thought it’d be too much, but now I’m regretting it. A cloudy morning in December and the temperature is cold enough to have me shivering. I’m sure it’ll warm up as the day goes on, and I know my body will as well once I get walking for a while. Crossing the bridge over the highway with the cars speeding by is pretty damn nerve-wracking, but I make it.

Following the hand-drawn map, I walk, and walk, and walk some more. All day, to the point my entire body aches, and eventually, I don’t remember falling asleep. Especially not while recklessly walking down the middle of the abandoned two-lane road.

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