Light in the darkness

13. Town border

Gladys was standing outside her trailer, smoking another cigarette. She was leaning her back against the motorbike already loaded with her belongings. It was her fifth cigarette in less than an hour. Her impatience was taking over her since she had been waiting for FP to finally show up much longer than she wanted to.

They had agreed, that they would meet at 9 am that meant, FP should've come nearly an hour ago. Gladys let out an annoyed sigh, the smoke left her chapped lips. Her eyes had been glued to the main gate since she got out of her trailer and prepared her bike for the ride. She had checked everything twice while waiting for FP, but there was nothing she could repair or boost. Brakes? Checked. Clutch? Checked. Headlamps? Checked. Gearbox? Checked. Engine? Working as a new one.

Suddenly, when she was just about to go back inside, she heard the familiar sound of the motorbike's engine. She turned her head around and rolled her eyes sassily as she watched FP driving in her direction.

"What the fuck, Jones?!" Gladys spat out, throwing the cigarette somewhere on the ground as soon as he parked right next to her bike and turned the engine off.

"Don't you have a fucking alarm clock in this trailer of yours?" He sighed tiredly and placed his helmet on the bag, that was securely attached to the bike.

He stayed silent for a while, didn't even bother to put his sunglasses off and look her in the eyes. Truthfully, showing his red eyes was the last thing he wanted to do right now. He couldn't show his weakness, not in front of her.

"For God's sake, explain yourself!" Gladys yelled angrily, breaking the overwhelming silence and tension filling the air.

"Calm down, I lost the track of time." FP lied, watching her poking a tongue to her cheek when she was stopping herself from making another sassy remark.

But what else was he supposed to say? That he spent the night with Alice? That in the morning, she came to his trailer to reveal the truth about the fact, that they had a son? Even in his head, it sounded ridiculous, not mentioning saying it out loud, especially to someone like Gladys.

Without waiting for her to make one more comment about him being late, FP put his helmet back on his head and jumped on the motorcycle, turning the engine on in a matter of seconds.

Although he didn't expect Gladys to let go of him so easily, she didn't say another word. She could fool herself it was about her desperate need to leave the town and FP's past behind them. The truth was, Gladys was afraid to hear the true answer. Something deep inside told her, that it's better to leave it unsaid and have a fresh start right after crossing the town's border.

She turned the engine on as well and send FP one last glance before she was the one to hit the road first. FP let out a quiet sigh and lifted his foot. He was right behind Gladys, following her traces.

FP's eyes were gazing around, bringing the memories back as they were driving down the streets. He was catching every single detail of all of the well-known places just to remember them the most beautiful. A slight smile appeared on FP's face when they passed Riverdale High. Everything connected with his teenage years always made him feel warm and sentimental. Everything except Alice's departure.

He swallowed hard when the thought of Alice being all alone during her pregnancy crossed his mind. She had been carrying his child and protected him with her own body for all nine months and she did it all on her own. And then? Then she had done her best to be both mother and a father to their little one.

Now, when FP knew, they are close to cross the town's border, he realized, that leaving won't solve all of the problems he would leave behind him. He had a son. The responsibility he wanted to take care of after years of not being able to do so.