They both did a shot, and she leaned back in her chair. “Pour me another one. I’m going to need it soon.” She then took a deep breath and mumbled “here goes nothin'”.
“Two weeks ago today, when I woke up in a crack house with Mom, and I found her dead. The needle was still in her arm. Her “friend” was in the same condition. I had no idea what to do, or where to go. I knew where mom kept her “cash stash”, found $200ish, and left. I had been searching the internet for Dad and stumbled across you, so I decided that this was the best place to go.” Mike leaned forward and started to speak, but she cut him off. “Stop! I have to get this out all at once, or I never will.” Mike leaned back, and she drank her second shot. Wordlessly, Mike poured her another. “I bought a bus ticket that got me to Las Vegas, it was as much as I could afford with some food money. I knew I had about 200 more miles to go, but it was the best I could do. The bus trip took three and a half days. It was unpleasant, but it could have been worse. I had bought snacks, and at that point I still had a small suitcase with some clothes. I changed into my last clean set of clothes and found the right highway, stuck my thumb out, and hoped…I hoped like never before…I hoped you would come. You didn’t, of course, but a truck stopped and asked where I was going. He was going about halfway, so I got in. He was actually a decent human being, but when he stopped, I had to find another ride. I slept in a bus stop that night, and then I looked for another ride.” She stopped and took another shot. Tears were running down her face, but Mike could do nothing except pour her another shot. “The next guy who stopped was actually coming to this town. I felt almost optimistic. We drove for maybe an hour, and I kind of drifted off. Next thing I know, he had one hand down my pants and was trying to pull them off. Said I had to pay for the ride somehow. This guy was big, and he was strong, but I have learned a few things in my time. I told him I wanted to blow him first. Once I got it in my mouth, I bit, squeezed, and pulled as hard as I could. He screamed, oh how he screamed. I took off as fast as I could away from the truck, I left everything but my bag there, I just had to get away….” She stopped again and took another shot, waving Mike off from pouring another. “I walked the last 100 miles here. It took me six days, because I wouldn’t stay too close to the highway. I walked all the way to your house. I was lucky I was wearing my pouch, because you would never have believed me otherwise. I spent my last $10 on food the day before I found you. I didn’t know what to expect, but you were my only hope left. My. Only. Hope. And you’ve outstripped everything I dreamed. You’re a good man, Mike. I’m very lucky. You probably aren’t, because you have to deal with my sorry ass.” She stopped, tears running down her face. Mike searched for something to say and couldn’t find anything. He got up, picked her up out of her chair, and just held her.