Thunder

2

I could feel the tears stinging my eyes, clouding my vision. But I refused to let them fall. No more. I refuse to cry over that part of my life anymore. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding in. “Here we are! Home sweet home!” She stated giving me a wide smile. I looked out the windshield as a large 1-story cabin came into view, It had a guest house off to the side of it, connected to the main home by a breezeway. It was gorgeous with all its large windows and front porch. The swing swaying back and forth viciously from the storm. “I realized I don’t even know your name.” I told her as she parked in the garage. “My name is Lucille. And I would ask your name, but I assume you aren’t going to give me your actual name.” She smirked at me and grabbed her items from the store. “You can call me Riley.” I told her grabbing my bags and getting out of the truck with her. She led me to a door and closed the garage door. The smell of chicken and dumplings filled my nose and got my mouth watering. The inside of the home was even more beautiful than the outside. The little hallway from the garage led us into the kitchen which was huge with a large island in the middle and a table that could fit at least 20 people sat off to the right. The kitchen was open to the living room which was covered in wooden walls. One of them holding a stone fireplace with a steady fire going. They even had a flat screen tv mounted above the mantle that was playing forensic files. There was an older gentleman resting on the dark brown leather chair reading his newspaper. “Geez Luci, think it took you long enough?” the man looked at us and raised an eyebrow when he saw me, “And brought home a stray?” he set down his newspaper and looked at me. “Shut your pie hole Ricky. That’s not how we greet guests. This is Riley. Riley dear, why don’t you go to the guest house and get out of those wet clothes. You’re going to get yourself sick if you stay in them much longer.” She led me through the living room towards the back door and took a left to another door. “Just go through there. The door will be unlocked. Everything you need will be in the guest house.” I gave her a smile and started through the door. I heard him starting to get onto him about his manners as I closed the door and made my way to the guest house.

It was like a tiny version of the main home. Tiny kitchen containing only a microwave, coffee maker, and a sink. There was a single queen sized bed in the room, along with a couch and tv on the wall. I set my things down, unzipping the bag letting it bulk back up. I found a pair of underwear, pair of black yoga pants, and a plain green long sleeved shirt. I walked through the door and into the bathroom. It had a large claw foot bathtub along with a walk in shower with a bench in the back. The entire wall above the double sink vanity held a mirror. Obviously they had money. I slowly peeled off my leather jack and jeans, they stuck to me like a second skin. Pulling the t-shirt over my head and removing the scarf from around my neck, the pain finally settling into my body. Everything hurt. I unclasped my bra and stripped off my underwear and hung everything on the side of the tub to dry. I turned towards the mirror, and for the first time really took in the state of my body. Bruises all along my body. Never below the knees or passed the shoulders, until last time. I slowly touch the bruised line that finally appeared across my neck. I slowly ran my fingers across it. Tears rose once again, so I dropped my had and made my way to the shower. Turning it as hot it would allow, I let the water cascade down my aching body. “Never again.” I told myself as I started washing my hair and body. I finished and dried off with the soft white towel. I got redressed, grabbing another scarf to cover the bruise and stood at the sliding glass door on the back wall in the living area. The only light illuminating the woods that surrounded the house was the lightning. “Riley, the food is ready whenever you are.” A voice came out of nowhere causing me to jump away from the door and clutch my chest. I looked towards the door expecting Lucille to be standing there. Nope. Then I realized the little box next to it was an intercom. I walked back to the bathroom and made sure the scarf was secure and covering the bruise before making my way to the house.

“You look much better now that you’re in dry clothes.” Lucille smiled at me as I walked back into the kitchen. She pointed at a bar stool at the island, “sit down. You need to eat.” She filled a bowl and placed it in front of me. I took the first bite and couldn’t help but let out a little moan as I chewed it. My cheeks started reddening as I realized what I did. She gave me a wide smile. “I’m glad you like it! When was the last time you actually ate sweetie?” I thought about it. The past day and a half I had been living off of energy drinks and cigarettes. “I think about two days ago.” I looked down at my bowl, ashamed of becoming a burden on this sweet couple. I needed to go. One night and I was gone. Just one night couldn’t hurt. “Can I ask something that may seem extremely silly?” she looked at me as she sat down with her own bowl. “Where exactly am I?”