A Long Way To Go

Chapter 2: Reprieve

“Give this note to Seth. He’ll fix you for the night. I’m sure there’ll be plenty to eat and a nice cozy bed to wear off the rest of the hangover,” Gab said, pointing a piece of paper at Ronald, his big smile stretching his lips to their limit, revealing fine pearl-like teeth that had conquered coffee abuse. Ronald took the note from him, his hands showing appreciation in the stead of his mouth. He felt his pockets for the gold necklace Sam gave him and tucked the paper in the same one he found it.

It was already past 9:00 pm and the street was bustling with people and cars. Most of the cars were cleaner and more expensive than the ones they had downtown. The people too. The new environment suddenly made him conscious of his appearance and for the first time since he’s been on the run, he realized how grubby he looked in the thick, khaki overhanging coat and the duffel bag that dangled from his back.

It was easy to sight Seth’s place from where he stood—a lavender-painted storefront sandwiched between two tall buildings. He crossed the street and walked right in. The place was more spacious than it appeared, housing an eating room that doubled as a pub and three fairly-sized rooms. The place was empty but for a lady that took her orders to go and an old c***k chowing noisily at his spaghetti and boiled eggs in one corner.

The clanging of tumblers somewhere behind a wooden counter brought his notice to a woman who straightened almost immediately.

“Good evening. Can I take your orders?” She peered at him with large blue eyes, her voice soft and fluttering as though her breath was failing. She continued to stare, her countenance asking more questions. Ronald was tall and jacked, with clothes that don’t exactly fit into the setting. She was fat and short, and a blonde, her hair long and straight as though every strand was ironed. “This must be Rita, Seth’s wife,” he guessed. He gave her the sheet. Her eyes brightened as she recognized the handwriting.

“You must be looking for Seth. I’m Rita, his wife.”

“Yes, Rita. My name is Ronald. Nice to meet you.”

“Thanks, nice to meet you too. Did he tell you where he is heading?”

“No, but if I didn’t know better I’d argue he won’t make two more miles”

“He drives all the time. I thought he was hardworking but now I think it’s a condition.” They both laughed to that. Ronald thought she had a great personality.

Seth came in through the back door carrying some ceramic plates. Seth was tall and thin, and he had hair and beard that made him look like one of those American founding fathers that you see on a dollar bill. “Hey, you didn’t tell me we got fresh orders, Rita.” Then facing Ronald, he asked, “What do you need sir? We have…”

“He is not a customer, Seth. He’s a friend of Gab,” Rita cut him.

“Oh, I see. Then you’re welcome! And I know exactly what you need. Come, come with me. You must be tired and hungry cramped in that old truck all day!”

Seth got it all right. He knew what one’s exigencies are in such situations. They walked to a table and sat. Rita came with two tea cups and a jug of Chinese tea. Ronald seldom drinks tea but it was good and it made him relax. She took his bag to one of the rooms.

Seth didn’t stop talking for a moment. “So, tell me mate, what brings you here? Anyone would know at first glance you don’t live around here. And don’t tell me for a better life. Don’t let the dazzling lights and fancy cars fool you. Getting ahead here is as tough as it gets.” He laughed to that alone.

Ronald smiled faintly. “My destination is not St. Louis. I just stopped over for a reprieve.

Ronald had a large dinner with the couple, then they talked till after midnight.  The room Rita had prepared for him had a nice bed, soft and comfortable. And he was thankful for that. The noise from the street traffic had subsided and the only voices he could hear distinctly were the brawling of his own thoughts and loud music that blared from the next building. He thought of Lilly; of the fight; of Baine, then sleep found him.

Ronald woke from his nightmare with a start and sat up in an instant. The room was dark and eerily quiet and his eyes caught a figure lurking a few inches from the wooden door. He recoiled on the bed, one hand groping desperately for his pocket knife and the other for the bedside lamp’s switch. The electric bulb on the asbestos ceiling came on, flooding the room with a bright yellow luminescence. Ronald rolled off the bed with an intention to dive at the intruder, when he suddenly recognized Seth.

Seth just stood there transfixed by the action. He looked calm but his placid betrayed his terror. Ronald heaved a sigh, walked to the windows, yanked the curtains apart and flung them open. The cool breeze of the night greeted his sweating face and it made the hair on the nape of his neck bristle.

“You alright, man?” Seth asked, taking a few cautious steps to stand in the middle of the room.

“What are you doing here, Seth? You don’t sleep?”

“I should be the one asking because you brought me out of mine. I heard noises, incoherent, so I wanted to check if everything is fine!”

“Damn it! I’ve been talking in my sleep,” Ronald thought.

“One hell of a nightmare, eh?” Seth asked, feeling more at ease and taking a seat on a chair, with the same caution he walked in with.

He dreamt of Baine and his thugs and how they chased him through the alley. They had Lilly and had caught up with him, then forced him to watch as they gutted her.

Seth lit a cigarette and offered him one, watching him closely as he helped him light up. His hands quivered as he took the first toke. “Something on your mind, friend? You don’t look well.”

“I’m fine. It must be the shake up from the journey.”

Seth put out his cigarette and straightened. “I’ll just look around and go back to bed.”