Running for Cover

The chilly morning has quickly transformed into a warm, sunny afternoon. Rolling down the window, Abby breathes in the fresh mountain air as it whips across her hot, sweaty face. One of the many things she loved about the Ozarks was that the air was free from city smog. Hopefully, I'll be able to come back to the place I love soon. Tears trickle down her cheek as she admires the breathtaking view for a final time. Sniffling, she wipes the tears away. "It's only temporary, Abby. I minor hiccup in your plan." She says, not sure if the statement is true.

She notices a rest stop sign as she crosses the state line. I'd give me a chance to see what food they've packed. She thinks, resting her hand on her grumbling tummy. Abby devoured the baby's snacks hours ago. Although dry cereal isn't her go-to food, it quieted the hunger pains for a while.

I could use the restroom and save myself some embarrassment. Abby chuckles, recalling her last incident. 

The road had been dead for hours until Abby went to relieve herself, and then it seemed like everyone and their brother decided to get out. Not wanting to be seen, poor Abby stayed scrunched in the weeds for what seemed like hours, waiting for the traffic to die. 

She discovers the rest stop is empty when she pulls into the lot. I might not get a break like this again. Unfastening her seat belt, she dashes for the bathroom door.

Abby starts to leave when she hears two women chatting about their trip. I'll wait until they're in their stalls, she thinks, gently closing her door. 

The stall doors squeak, and then a latch clicks in place. Abby reaches for her lock when she hears shuffling across the dusty floor. The noise is followed by a second and then the third set of steps. Why does this always seem to happen to me? Abby plops back down and waits. 

Abby hears some heading outside while others take their turn at the sink. A few women discussed their vacation, where they'd been, and what they saw.

Abby's stomach growls with fury as the chatty Kathys continues their talk. Please hurry, she thinks, wrapping her arm around her middle, hoping to ease her pain.

Hearing the voices fade, Abby peeks through the tiny crack between the door and frame to find two ladies heading outside. Thank god. Someone taps on her door when she reaches for the lock. Abby springs back, smacking the toilet seat with her leg. The plastic piece slams against the base, causing her to jump again.

"Are you alright?" the lady asks.

"Something I ate didn't agree with me, but I'm sure I'll be alright soon. Thanks for asking."

"I thought that might be your problem." Abby sees a pink bottle at the top of her stall. "I hope this helps." 

"I'm sure it will, thank you." 

"I hope you feel better soon, hon." 

Abby hears the lady hobbling across the floor. She waits a few minutes before she opens the door. Not seeing anyone, she runs to the entrance and peeks outside to find everyone has gone. 

Abby is dashing toward the van when a cop pulls into the lot. She glances at her vehicle and then the restrooms, trying to figure out the best hiding place. The squad car continues across the drive. I don't want to be trapped in the bathroom again. Dashing to the vehicle, she throws the sliding door open and scrambles inside. She glances out the window to find the cops pulling up alongside her. Locking the doors, she rushes to the back. Dropping to the floor, she squirms under the seat and carefully arranges the toys in front of her. Please let this work. Oh, please let this work. She begs. 

Car doors squeak open. Footsteps crunch across the gravel. Abby hears a deep, gravelly voice yell, "Make it quick, rookie."

Please, Abby thinks, wrapping her arms around her aching stomach.

"Yes, sir." The officer taps on the van when he walks past. 

Abby jumps, smacking her head on the seat. "Damn cop," she grumbles, rubbing the spot she'd hit.

 "We don't have all day, rookie," the captain barks a short while later. 

Abby hears shuffling on the lawn. She then hears the older man say,

"Thanks to all your pit stops, this four-hour trip is becoming an all-day event."

"This will be the last time, sir, I promise." 

Their car doors slam. The vehicle pulls away.

"I thought they'd never leave." Moving the toys, Abby crawls out from under the seat. "Now, to see about lunch."

She opens the storage container lid to find it's packed to the brim."It looks like they have a little bit of everything in here."

She notices a small, plastic lavatory sitting on top. Picking it up, she chuckles. "You two always know how to cheer me up, she laughs, recalling how the joke began. 

Ned used to tease Thelma about having everything but the kitchen sink in her suitcase of a purse. So, one day, Thelma bought a small dollhouse-sized sink. 

Abby then recalls things the three did together: playing cards, pool parties, and countless barbecues. "You guys are like the family I never had." Her laughter turns to tears. "I'm going to miss you guys." She wipes the moisture away. She then recalls how the whole mess began. 

"I wouldn't be in this situation if I'd left the gym bag in the trash where it belonged." She planned to fix it and give it to a student who'd recently lost hers. During her repair, she discovers the flash drive between the lining and outer cover. Wanting to return the external storage, she decided to see what was on it, hoping to figure out who the rightful owner might be.

Abby was shocked to find the collection of information on a known drug cartel, things that could send them away for life. She knew she should take it to the police but was afraid they'd discover she lived under a fictitious name. Abby considered mailing it but feared they might trace it to her. She finally decided to wrap it in newspaper and throw it in the trash. 

Abby discovers a strawberry blond wig at the top, far corner of the box. "I should've checked here first. Putting it on, she searches for something to eat.

Feeling a hundred times better, Abby begins her journey again. I can reach my destination before nightfall if I hurry, Abby thinks, pushing the pedal down more. After six grueling hours, she's looking forward to her road trip being over. I can't wait to curl up in a soft, comfy bed. She pictures the blissful scene in her mind. I'll probably sleep for days. She sighs. Abby's head becomes hazy, her body weary. Exhaustion slowly creeps in. I need to stop thinking about it. Yawning, she straightens up in her seat. A few miles down the road, her eyes begin to droop again. I need to do something to stay awake. She yawns again. Abby rolls down all the windows, hoping the fresh air will help. A cool breeze whips through the van. That woke me up, but now I'm cold. Shivering, she rolls up the window and turns on the heat. I didn't realize how chilly it'd gotten. She shivers. 

The warm comfort, the engine's purr, begins to lull her again. Her head slowly falls toward her chest. She startles awake. I'll go to sleep like this. She reluctantly turns off the air. Music may help.

She's fiddling with the radio when she hears tires screech, followed by a loud bang. Looking up, Abby sees a massive pile up a few feet ahead. She cuts her wheels to the left. The van skids to the edge. The back end smashes into another car. Abby's body falls sideways. Her head smacks the glass.

Abby feels a warm, sticky liquid trickling down her face when she comes to. Reaching up, she discovers a large gash on the left side of her head. Abby is checking the severity of the wound when she hears a thudding noise beside her. She glances in the mirror to find a big-rig barling her way. I need to get out of here. Abby throws her door open only to find the adjacent car blocking her. Abby glances up and sees the truck is only a few feet away.