Endings by Linda L. Richards

Author:Linda L. Richards
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oceanview Publishing
Published: 2021-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

IN THE MORNING, I am more clearheaded than I have been for what feels like weeks. I stand in the shower and let hot water pummel me so hard it is almost painful, but it feels good, too. Painfully good. I know it will help me get through what promises to be a full day.

After the shower, it doesn’t take long for me to get myself together, and I am packed and standing in the hotel lobby ready for my Uber within a half hour of waking.

The address I give the driver is just a few minutes from my hotel and on the main road out of town. After the car drops me off, it feels a little awkward wheeling my suitcase into the sales office at the RV dealership, but at least they can tell I mean business.

“I’m looking for an RV.”

“You’ve come to the right place.” The salesman is my age, even though his hair is retreating from his forehead and the middle of his body shows the signs of decades of riding a desk. When he grins at me, I get a glimpse of an almost imperceptible hole in his smile, at the corner of his mouth, near the back. He points to a sign above his head: “Renfrew RV,” the sign says. “Used. New. In Between. We’ve got what you need.”

“I’m Jack Renfrew,” he says after he follows my glance. “How can I help you?”

“I want something small but roomy. An RV. Not flashy. It should be used, but in good enough condition that it doesn’t stand out.”

“Stand out from what?”

“It shouldn’t be trashed. Or trashy,” I add, almost as an afterthought. “It shouldn’t draw attention to itself in any way.”

“How many does it need to sleep?”

“Two. Tops. Maybe not even that.”

He arches an eyebrow in my direction but chooses not to comment, taking things, instead, to a different, more neutral place.

“All of our used vehicles are in good condition,” he says, a hint of defensiveness in his tone. I ignore it.

“Good,” I say. “Then we won’t have a problem. Show me.”

He indicates the suitcase. “I gather you’re planning on making a deal today.”

“I am.”

“You’ve got cash.”

“That’s right.”

“Okay,” he says, echoing my tone. “Good. Then we won’t have a problem.” I know from all of that, that he is someone I can do business with.

He shows me three vehicles. I like the second. It is more like a van than an RV. And small enough that I know I’ll have no trouble handling it on my own. At the same time, it is large enough to have room inside for two people to move. Just. Also, it has a bathroom with a full shower. It is old and worn-looking enough that, had I been heading onto a long journey I wouldn’t have touched it. But the trip I have in mind is shorter than that and there won’t be a lot of miles involved.

The price is fifteen thousand. I offer him twenty. I let the number sink in before I explain.

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