The drive down was long and boring, past countless hick towns and cow pastures. Sam’s head was overloaded with a jumble of thoughts and emotions, ranging from excitement about meeting Alex to despair over not hearing from Valerie, mixed with apprehension about her life in general. Luckily, it didn’t require much concentration to find the motel Alex had told her about. Sam discovered it was the only motel in the tiny town where Alex and Jake lived.
The clerk, a sleepy looking young girl with rimless glasses and dirty blonde hair, was expecting Sam and checked her in with no hassle. Alex had apparently paid for the room ahead of time. Sam was flattered and pleased, looking forward to meeting the other woman at last. As she settled into the room, which was modestly furnished but appeared to
