That Old Car

Scarlett stared out the front window of her old car the most beautiful sunset filled up the Florida sky. She was in awe of the oranges and pinks that seemed as if created for her. She had been on the road for four hours leaving the place she had called home for the past five years. Memories of her past life flashed in her head as a familiar song played on the radio. “is it too late now to say sorry, cause I’m missing more than just your body” she sang as car was filled with Justin Biebers voice. “In one mile take exit on right.” Siri interrupted her vibe. She hadn’t touched her phone since she put her directions in, and she knew for sure notifications of missed calls and texts filled her phone.

She had pulled into the hotel where she met Wendon. She had met him about five years ago. He was not just any man, but the love of her life! An instant connection brought them together and from that day forward it felt as if the two were inseparable. Yes, he may have been younger, but honestly age was a number, and no number could change the way she felt for him. I don’t judge and when accepting new love into her life she embraced every moment. From that day on she loved every moment with him. Now years later I sit in the car alone and not wanting to even get out of my car.

As she gathered her belongings from the passenger seat, she grabbed her most important item of all, her little black book. She brought it everywhere with her to the salon, meetings, and especially on this abrupt trip. She wrote everything down in that little black book from appointments, to feelings as well as confessions. The little black book knew more about her then maybe even she knew about herself. She put all of her things into her bag and walked into the hotel. Good evening Miss Scarlett, the gentleman knew her face immediately. Same room this evening he asked while checking her into the hotel. Umm actually no. I don’t want the same room. It’s just me this time, yes, I understand.

Scarlett had finally reached her room. She was a little hesitant as the unfamiliar hallways seemed to go on forever. She opened the door. Finally, she thought, she was exhausted from her drive and just wanted to lay down and relax. She began to unpack some of her belongings. Laying them on the dresser. She tore through her bag looking for her charger, it wasn’t there. Must be in the car she thought. She decided to take a quick shower and then she would retrieve her phone charger and maybe even stop by the bar on the way down. She undressed and made her way to the restroom. It was a little different from her usual room, but this was her new life. She had been living with him for the last couple years and let’s say he was well off.

She wasn’t helpless, and had a place of her own, but he insisted on moving in together, and let’s face it Scarlett didn’t want to spend a moment without him. It was the best decision she had made for herself in a long while. She was happy, and he added to the happiness. Though she didn’t realize that the years she’d spend with him were a lie. After years of wondering how they were able to live the way they did, she finally found out the truth, and she was haunted thinking of all the people he was scamming. He made up a fake business and would collect money from individuals. She still doesn’t know or understand, but once he was taken away by the police, she knew she wasn’t going to be apart of this scheme anymore. It hurt to leave him, but she couldn’t condone the actions.

He promised no one actually got hurt, physically hurt he elaborated. Even still she felt the trust disappear as they gazed into his eyes for the last time. She opened her eyes and realized the room was filled with steam from the hot shower she never stepped into. Her heart was broken and every moment she allowed her mind to roam it would always end with him. She snapped out of her daze and quickly showered. Scarlett couldn’t focus on the pain any longer. She was ready for a drink, and she knew no better place than her favorite bistro bar downstairs. She walked down wearing her favorite sweater. She had paired it with denim jeans and pumps. Yes, she felt she looked put together even if she was hanging on by a thread. The charger could wait until after dinner and a drink. She sat at the bar alone, and not looking for any company. Ordered her favorite cocktail and appetizer and finally pulled out her phone. She was right her phone was blown up with messages and calls. She swiped clear all and opened up her mobile banking app. “ehh” she mumbled, as she calculated her expenses for the next leap of her life.

Scarlett wasn’t completely helpless and broke, but she had definitely felt as though security was gone. They had started a joint account where they would put extra money for them to spend on couple things, like trips, eating, get togethers, and home life. She was too proud to use any of that money and decided to let him have all of it. She did not want to have anything to do with him or his money. She sipped on her martini, ensuring to retrieve every last drop of the alcohol. She just wanted to feel something other than sadness, and after her second drink it started to work. She was smiling and began to laugh when the bartender made a joke.

After her dinner she sat there eager to read the messages, but too scared to open them. Her battery was low, and she was feeling at this point exhausted. She settled her bill and grabbed her bag. Not realizing it was snagged on the chair her bag snatched her back and her belongings fell to the floor. Embarrassed she hurried the things back into her purse and began to walk out. She walked through the lobby and outside to her car. By this time, it was dark, and she was the only person in the parking lot. She unlocked her car door and looked for her charger. She opened the glove box to find her charger and what looked like her little black book. She sat in her car baffled because she just knew she put her book into her bag when getting out. She opened her back to find her own book, that looked similar, but not exact.

As she picked up the book, she noticed it was not hers at all. She didn’t understand what or how this book got into her car, but she pulled it out the glove box and sat in the dark with the book in her lap as she contemplated on opening it. She sat there in her car alone, but it was a different feeling than before. She was filled with confusion and excitement. Just then her phone rang. It was at five percent, but she didn’t hesitate to answer, because in this moment she wasn’t thinking. On the other line of the phone a familiar voice asked her, “have you found it yet?” her mouth dropped, and she was unsure what to say. She was breathing into the phone and no words filled her brain to speak. He said, “I know you left me and that’s okay, but I could not let you leave without something to remember me by.” Then, he hung up. Nothing else was said and she sat again alone in her car feeling all new emotions.

She slowly opened the book and looked at the first page. It was a note addressed to her. My sweet, it began. As her eyes filled with tears she read on. Reading over the words over and over. It was a love note. She eagerly flipped through the next pages to find them empty. At this point she didn’t know how to feel. The man she loved just called her to ask if she had gotten a love note? This is silly she thought as she sat in her car. As she went to shut the book, she flipped it over, and opened it back up. Again, emotions ran over her face and through her body she could feel everything, and she began to cry. Looking down at the book was a check. A check made out to her from an unknown bank. The check was made out for twenty thousand dollars. She picked the check up and just held it between her fingers. How did he know? Was he here? All these questions filled her mind as she stared blankly at the check. She quickly picked up her phone and called him back. He answered on the first ring and she began to ask questions... why? How? When? The called ended with him only saying one sentence, “I love you, and I know you’ll do great things!” Her phone had died and as she sat there alone in her car, she saw the headlights of a familiar car drive off. Into the darkness as she stared out the window of her old car.