Free Born In Flames by Candace Knoebel Page B

cheerfully.
“Get dressed. We’re going to the bank.” I quickly did as he said.
Bank on Third was the only bank we had in this small town which goes to show how confining and suffocating it was here. I had no idea this place even held security deposit boxes. Then again, I never paid much attention to my banking options besides depositing my check and keeping up my account.
We rounded the corner of our motel and crossed the street. It was early enough that the traffic was far and few between. Fenn grabbed my hand once we were on the sidewalk and pulled me the whole two blocks it took to get to the bank.
Once inside, I jumped in the short line, anxious to find what was waiting for me. Fenn threw his arm around me and pulled me into a bear hug. I leaned into the scent of his cologne and took a deep whiff. My eyes drifted around the room, and I noticed a couple sitting in two comfy chairs watching me as I smelled Fenn.
I jerked my head forward, trying to remain inconspicuous and nonchalant as my cheeks reddened.
A clerk appeared from out of her windowed office and beckoned for the next customer. The man in front of us stepped towards the clerk, making us the next in line. I was nauseatingly anxious and ready to get this over with. I had never been good at waiting, and it wasn’t proving helpful at this moment in my life.
“You’re so close yet so far away,” said Fenn, matching my thoughts and playing with my hair at the ends, weaving them in and around his fingers. He often played with my hair in this manner. It was comforting at times and annoying at others. I leaned back letting him do as he pleased. This was a comforting time.
A man who looked to be in his mid-twenties with a Guido hairdo and bronzed muscles motioned for the next in line.
“Let’s go,” I said grabbing Fenn's hand. Now more than ever I would need support.
The agent smiled at me and recited lines that I'm sure he’s said on more than one occasion.
“Aloha, welcome to Bank on Third. My name is Joey, how may I help you today?”
So polite he was , I thought in my Yoda voice.
The smell of warmed paper and orange blossom cleaners wafted through the air as I handed Joey the key and said, “I’m here to access my security deposit box.”
“Okay, we can surely do that,” he said, his fingers moving a mile a minute on his keyboard, a skill that I had yet to acquire even in this day of technology.
“And what's your name, Miss?” he asked, never looking up from the computer.
“Aurora, Aurora Megalos,” I said, trying my best not to fidget. I slid my ID towards him and waited as he glanced at it. He typed some more, making me spell my last name out loud even though he had my license in front of him. He looked up at me as his fingers stopped their dance.
“This was set up for you in December of 2000 and hasn’t been touched since, correct?” he asked, handing me back the key. That was the month and year I was dropped off at Mily’s. Fenn and I both looked to each other.
“I’m sorry,” I said, shaking off the brief moment that I spaced out. “Yes, correct. Umm, do you have a name of who set it up?” I asked, hoping that I didn’t sound suspicious.
“Actually, yes, one second,” he replied as he went back to typing. “It says here, Soothe, no last name. That’s odd, right?” He looked up at us with a smile.
“Soothe?” I mouthed to Fenn. He shrugged.
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to the back room where you can wait for your security deposit box.” He came around the counter and took the lead. Fenn put his arm around my shoulder as we followed, giving me the extra support to face what was up ahead.
The hall we walked down was very narrow and led to a door that required a card swipe to pass through. Joey took the badge from around his neck, and we soon heard the approving beep as the little light turned green.
I leaned into Fenn and whispered, “Who do you think Soothe is?”
He shrugged and said, “Maybe whatever’s in