Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I t was far worse than she’d imagined. Media broadcast trucks lined the drive, antennas raised and ready. A multitude of reporters gathered near the trucks and even more waited closer to the house. She had to make her way through the crowd alone. The press surged forward, getting closer and closer, cutting off her escape. Every time she took a step, another reporter got in her way. Her car seemed so far away. Panic gripped her, and she began to tremble. They leveled shocking allegations against her. As the noise morphed into a buzzing in her ears, she gasped for air. Pushing through didn’t help. Tears streamed down her face. She was helpless.
At long last, she made it to her car and got in. With the doors secured, she was able to breathe a sigh of relief. After pushing the button to start her car, she blared the horn, inching toward the drive. It took forever, but she finally got going and was on her way.
There had to be some place where she could sell her clothes. The car needed to be turned over to the FBI, but maybe they would take pity on her and let her keep the clothing; at least she hoped so. One thing at a time.
Lord, I know You are with me, giving me strength, and I thank You. Life’s trials are life lessons. What am I to learn from all this? Please give me the knowledge to navigate through. Amen.
All she needed was a map. Did gas station convenience stores still sell maps? Maybe turning on the GPS for a bit wouldn’t be so bad.
She laughed as reality struck her. She didn’t have her clothes. She did have twenty dollars. She had her Birkin bag. She’d have to stop at Gus’ and get her things.
“What do you mean, you threw her out?” Stewart roared.
“Right out the front door.” McKenna smirked. He was clearly relishing the situation.
“Where did you expect her to go?”
McKenna lifted his right shoulder and let it drop. “Don’t care.”
“The sheriff will be here in a bit, and they’ll get the press off our land.”
McKenna laughed. “Most of the press are gone. You should have seen them. They were like locusts all over that woman.”
A different man would have punched McKenna. But God didn’t teach violence. God was loving.
Instead, Stewart went in search of Flora.
“I would have stopped her from going out there, but I didn’t know in time,” Flora lamented.
“It’s not your fault. I’m moving?—”
“Me too. Now don’t worry, I’ll take care of the movers. We’ll have our things in the other house soon enough.”
“Are you sure you want to move?” He furrowed his brow.
“I’m not working for McKenna. I never said anything before, but when you are on business trips, he comes here and plays king of the castle and I’m at his beck and call. If he takes a sip of coffee, he expects a refill right then and there. No, I’d rather go work for Ruby Lou.”
“If you’re sure, I’d love to have you move with me. We’ve made a good team over the years.”
She nodded. “Don’t you worry none. You’ll be back here. One downfall is not a disaster. Your father had times when he regretted decisions. It’ll do you good to go cowboying for a while. Think of all the sunshine and fresh air.”
“I’m heading over to the other house. Want to join me?”
“Not yet. Once the movers are gone, I’ll wait for the royal summons and then give him a piece of my mind. I’ll keep you posted on the movers.”
Stewart bent down and kissed Flora on her weathered cheek. “I love you.”
“I know.” She beamed.
Her car was drawing too much attention. Who in their right mind spent that much money on a car? The employee at the convenience store showed her where the maps were located. How had everything become so expensive? She sighed. Everything was expensive when you had limited funds.
As she approached the town, she frowned. There were a few tall buildings. Hopefully, there would be a pawn shop. And…there it was on the other side of the road. Lock, Stock, and Barrel Pawn. A faded sign advertised simply Cash.”
Aurora walked out of the pawnshop in shock. She’d expected ten thousand for her jewelry. But she got two thousand. There wasn’t another choice. Next, she planned to find a motel and call the FBI about the car. Her lack of a car meant she’d have to find work within the town. She couldn’t have a car and a roof over her head. It was one or the other.
After securing a cheap room, she called the FBI. At first, they weren’t interested in what she had to say. Finally, after insisting and explaining, they sent out a field agent.
He gave her that suspicious look only an FBI agent could give. He walked around the car. Thumped on it here and there. Inspected the trunk and told her he was going to have to rip up the seats.
Horrified, she explained how much the car was worth and he might not want to rip up anything until he talked to the agents in charge of the case. He gave her a long, hard stare before he called for a tow truck. After that, he gave her a lecture about not leaving town.
She stood at the motel room door, watching both the agent and her car go down the street. What did she just do? The FBI hadn’t been looking for her or the car.
Blinking back tears, she went back into the room. It smelled of cigarettes and who knew what? It had been the right thing to do. Right? Perhaps some of her stepfather’s victims would get some of their money back.
She placed her suitcases on the bed and opened them. There must be a consignment store in this town. She sorted her clothes out and then picked her most expensive items to sell. At least she still had her sneakers.
A pad of aged paper, and a gnawed pen rested on the nightstand. She threw the pen away and looked through the contents of what was left in her bag. There were more than a few pens. A list was needed.
The first thing was a cheap phone. The second was to find a dollar store to buy food items. Did they sell food? She’d never been near one. Third, finding a job, but that would be tomorrow. There was still the problem of using her social security number. Stewart’s computer would have been a good place for her to have found the answer to that problem.
Stewart. What was his reaction when he learned she was kicked out? Perhaps he was relieved to be free of the Aurora issue. That’s what she was, one big headache for him. What were the odds, the person she’d trusted had been bilked by her stepfather?
She was tired. The consignment shop first and then the dollar store. She put everything for sale in the smallest suitcase. Opening the nightstand drawer, she located an actual phone book. They’re still making these?
After writing down the addresses and looking at the map at the back of the book, she set out with her rolling suitcase.