Free Accordance by Shelly Crane Page B

here, you know.”
    I could just make him out in the moonlight.
    “I’ll be ok,” I said and smiled at him to reassure.
    “Are you a black belt or something?”
    I chuckled remembering Uncle Max giving me karate ‘lessons’ in my mind.
    “Yes. I am actually.”
    “Oh. Well...” That seemed to take the steam out of his argument. “I still don’t think you should be out here.”
    “I won’t be long.”
    “What’s the matter? I knew something was wrong earlier when I asked you.”
    “I’m just going through some stuff.”
    “Aren’t we all?” he said with a chuckle and sat down beside me on the bench.
    “I guess, but my stuff is really, really, scary complicated.”
    He nodded like he understood. Then he pulled a receipt paper from his pocket and wrote something down. Then he ripped off a piece and gave it to me.
    “I’m not trying to be a creepy guy or anything but I’ve been chewed up and spit out by this city on more than one occasion.” I took the paper and saw it was a phone number. “I live across the road, in the crappiest apartment you’ve ever seen.” He pointed. If you ever need a place to crash or someone to...vent to, call me.”
    I smiled at him.
    “That’s really sweet but, I’m not from here. I have no idea how long I’ll stay.”
    “Georgia?” he asked.
    “Tennessee.”
    “I could tell from the accent. I’m from Nebraska. Yeah, we can spot the out-of-staters,” he laughed. “We all have that open wound look going.” He laughed again and I joined him. “I’m serious. You look like a nice girl. I wouldn’t let whoever it is you’re worried about get you down.”
    “It’s a thing actually. Something...happened to me. And no, I’m not pregnant,” I said, when he got the look. “I’m just not ready to be what everyone else wants me to be.”
    “Aha. Well, at least you have people who care about you it sounds like. Some of us haven’t seen our family in a very long time and the friends I have would stab me in the back in a minute for a few extra bucks.”
    “I’m sorry. That must suck.”
    “I get by. Life is long and then you’re gone,” he said sadly and twirled his cell in his fingers. “Alright, well I’ll let you get back to...whatever it is you’re doing out here. You weren’t planning on sleeping out here were you? My offer stands about crashing-”
    “No. I’ll head home before that.”
    “You’re sure you’re ok?”
    “Positive.”
    He shrugged like there was nothing else he could do.
    “Ok then.” He held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Tennessee.”
    I smiled.
    “You too, Nebraska.”
    And as soon as I touched his hand I was blinded by another vision.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
~ Six ~
     
     
     
     
     
    I saw the boy who’s hand I was holding and he was leaving, suitcase in hand. His father was angry, his mother crying and his brother laughing a jealous and vindictive laugh as he watched him go.
    What the boy didn’t know was that his mother went after him. She watched his beat up car leave the driveway and tried to stop him but it was too late. He was gone. She yelled at her family for making him go. She slapped his father and packed her bags to go look for him.
    He didn’t have a cell phone when he left and she had found no way to reach him. That was four months ago. She was still looking and searching.
    I pulled back with a gasp and heard him do the same.
    “How did you do that?” he gasped out.
    “You saw that?” I said and looked at him in surprise.
    “Of course, what was that? Are you a psychic or something?”
    “No.”
    “Is it true? Did my mom come looking for me?”
    I looked at his young eager face filled with hope.
    “Yes. It’s true.” I had a feeling like I knew what to do but I didn’t want to. Ultimately I sighed and caved, focused on her face in my mind. She had burgundy hair in a messy bun and her face was worn from wear and worry. “She’s...working at a diner. Her shirt says