The Clone's Mother by Cheri Gillard

Author:Cheri Gillard [Gillard, Cheri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-10-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 29

“So we’re giving you a ride home,” Sheila said with disgust. “No phone, no car? Lost your date too? God, that’s pathetic.”

“Don’t worry, Sheila. I won’t intrude. I’ll find my own way home.”

“Suit yourself.”

Carl watched us in silence. I think he appreciated the way we women were working it out for him. Easier that way.

“Have a good night.” I grabbed my miniature sequin purse, hoping I had enough change inside it for bus fare since my CTA pass was at home (because why would I have even thought I’d need it?) and I tried to exit with dignity and grace.

I only bumped into one chair on the way out.

The city bus stop just happened to be right on the corner across from the front entrance of the hotel. It was humiliating waiting on the bench while some of the other dinner guests pulled away in their BMWs or Lexuses. But my feet hurt too much to walk farther down the street to the next stop, not to mention I was afraid of the dark and being out alone. I did not want to go down into the subway. That hadn’t bothered me for a long time, but after what happened to Howard, I didn’t want to do it.

So in my fancy get-up and black shiny pumps, I sat on the splintery bench and waited for the next bus.

And waited.

While I watched down the street for any sign of an oncoming bus, I pried off my shoes and rubbed my aching feet. I tried not to snag my dress on the rough bench. Then a convertible with subwoofers that compressed my skirt against my legs rolled to a stop in front of the bus stop.

“Want a ride?” Scott bobbed to the rhythm pulsating out of his high fidelity system.

The shadows made him creepy.

“The bus will be here any second. I like to ride the bus. It’s good to support the system too, you know.” I was rambling. I should’ve shut up. But now that we were alone, in the dark, he made me nervous with that weird voice and his bedroom eyes.

“Whatever.” The eye roll he gave me did nothing to bolster my mood. He squealed away like that would impress someone. Good thing I’d declined. I didn’t need some humiliating skirmish with a jerk who thought I’d owe him a visit upstairs if he gave me a lift.

Almost an hour after planting it on the bench, I was still waiting for the bus. Guess not enough people from the ritzy hotel used this line. And I didn’t have enough money to get a cab. The tightness in my throat crept up to my eyes and made them want to cry. But I swallowed and tightened my lips together to keep the tears in.

I put my shoes back on and limped my way to the hotel entrance. Carl and Sheila emerged through the automatic door. I ducked. Carl handed his ticket to the valet to get his car. Sheila laughed at some private joke they shared.

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