Numbers

This wasn't my usual route.

Well on wheels yes, but not on foot. My car broke down during my commute home and the only choice was to walk home. This is a no service zone, so forget using a cell phone for rescuing. Sure I could wait beside my car and anticipate the kindness of a stranger helping me out, but that’s more of a nice thought than reality. I’m not trying to get kidnapped or worse - killed! The road is long, stretched and deserted. It is a single lane in both directions. There isn’t even a turn out for an emergency stop. I’m surrounded by the Mojave Desert. But it would be okay I convinced myself. What choice did I have but to hitchhike - yeah, that’s not happening.

It's about a 45 minute walk. The sun is setting but I should make it home by nightfall. A car or so passes every 15 minutes or so. That's the part that scared me the most. I was forced to walk on the desert path alongside the road. This is not a place where a sidewalk is needed. Well, in this instance - now would be nice. Heels are not ideal for this terrain. I didn't plan this. Next on my to-do list after getting my car towed and fixed is to have a pair of sneakers for time like these.

Up ahead, further in the desert, I spotted a black object. I recognized it as a black book of some sort. It was hugged between the branches of a creosote bush. The pages flipped, each time the pockets of the desert wind blew in its direction. This was odd I thought. Why would someone throw out the book? I tried to envision how it got there and the only logical sense was someone must have thrown it out their car window. No one walks here. It's desolate.

As I came close to the book in the bush, I debated if it's mine for the taking. Do I want to know someone's secrets? And once I know them they'll be in my memory forever. What if it's something bad?

I came home that night. First order of business was a warm chamomile tea. Next, let's open this black book up and see what's inside. The first page had two streets names that may be an intersection. As I scrolled through, most of the pages were blank. If there was anything on the page it was just dirt or the wear from the desert. The little pocket in the back of it had a numerical combination written. I'm no detective, but the location and number must have something to do with each other.

Why don't I ever trust my intuition? This I can't just forget about. My curiosity is gnawing at me. Now I have to think hard on who I want to involve in this predicament. I start dialing my best friend, Jake. Just as he answers and I was prepared to spill, I get interrupted by the local news announcement on my TV. Apparently there was a robbery at our local bank here the other day ago. The authorities caught the suspects who stole $20,000 but did not recover any of the money. There was a clip of the suspects swearing up and down that they don’t have it. In a panic, I immediately turn off the TV.

This book is beside me. My eyes are glued to it. I can almost feel the money.

Why me?!

I have to go return it to the place I found it immediately! At least as soon as I get my car fixed. But wait, I don’t have money for that. But then again I do. The answers to my problems are all in this book. I just need my car fixed. I can put the remainder of the money on the books for the inmates. After all, it's their money.

My cell phone rings, giving me a jolt yet separating me from my thoughts that are running.

It’s Jake calling! I grab the book, and answer.

“Jake, come pick me up. I need to make a withdrawal!”