One Thousand Words of Pride

Her Midnight Call From Houston

Hey mom, it's me, Alex.

It's been almost...it's been fifteen years, hasn't it? I always thought, well, hoped you'd come back to us. But don't worry about it. That's not why I'm calling.

You probably don't even want to talk to me. I had to make a bunch of calls, but I got your number from a guy in Austin you used to hang out with. And don't worry. Really, don't. I wouldn't be doing this if I had anyone else to turn to.

Dad's not around anymore. He passed four years ago. Stomach cancer. Maybe you know about it already, well...if not, now you know. I tried to be there for him the best I could, I guess it just wasn't enough in the end.

I kind of fell into a pit after that. And I think I understand how you felt. Back when you left, I mean. I knew I just had to get out and see something new. That's why I live in Texas now. Well, it's part of the reason.

The old apartment's gone, too. I sold it a few months after dad died, got in my car, and never looked back. There was nothing for me back home. Just like there probably wasn't anything left for you.

I don't want to bother you with my whole life's story. I'll try and make this short.

Back then, I ended up in Memphis after a few weeks, and I started working at a diner close to the Greyhound station to make ends meet. Lived in a small apartment next to a church. But I didn't attend their services. When dad passed, I pretty much stopped doing that.

Anyway, I know it's not the best spot to be in. We got robbed a few times. I knew I had to get out of there at some point. I just didn't want to go back home, is all.

There was this girl who came in every other week or so. Well, woman, really. She was ten years older than me. Roundabout, anyway. Her name was Katy, and she was from Mississippi apparently, but she went to visit her mom in St. Louis pretty regularly. Because, well, she was dying. The mom, I mean. And her dad walked out on her years ago to join some religious group. I think that may have been a cult.

And, uh, Katy didn't sound very southern when she talked. So I asked her about it some day, and she said she was from the Midwest, really. She'd cleaned up the accent a bit and moved far enough away from her dad for him not to get to her. It was kind of spooky, but...anyway.

We, uh, we had dinner a few times. She began treating me to it, I don't know why. Wait no, I do. I didn't know back then. But, uh, how do I put this? We became friends, eventually. And then, well, uh...a little more than that. More than just friends. See?

This is probably the part where you'd hang up on me. Or yell at me, I don't know.

But yes. Your little girl's all grown up, and she...likes other girls. Who'd have thought? Not me, that's for sure.

Katy invited me to come along with her once, and I did. I took a week off from work, which was okay, I guess. We stopped briefly at her house, then kept driving all the way down to Mobile.

Have you ever seen the ocean? It's absolutely gorgeous. Just standing there, digging my toes into the sand while staring at that endless expanse...I've never felt so happy before. Especially with her there.

I don't think you'll want to hear about that, huh? I'll move on.

Memphis wasn't for me, I said that already. And then, Katy's mom died. I guess we both knew it was coming sooner or later, but I still cried my eyes out when it happened. Because it meant she wouldn't go up to St. Louis anymore, and I might never see her again.

But she came back, a little over a month later. I already thought about leaving Memphis on my own at that point, so thank goodness she showed up when she did.

Katy said she'd gotten a new job, over in Texas. Pasadena was the name of the town she wanted to move to. I'd never heard of it. But it was right by the sea, she promised we could go every weekend...I just couldn't resist.

That was two and a half years ago. Last year, we got married there. Again, surprise. I'd have invited you, but I didn't know how to contact you, and I guessed you probably didn't want to come anyway, uh...

But I was happy. For the first time in my life, I felt I could really be myself. Because I found someone who liked me despite my flaws, and even though I didn't really bring much to the table. I mean, I'm just a barista, and Katy works for this multi-million dollar company, and all...

You're probably asking yourself why I'm even calling.

Well, Katy disappeared. Three days ago. She hasn't been home since, and I'm worried sick. I don't know that many other people here, so...you're my lifeline right now. As much as I hate to bother you with this. But I don't know what I'm going to do. I need help.

She said something the day before she disappeared. Apparently "they" found her. Whoever that is. I think it might have something to do with her dad. I don't really know him or his religious...friends or whatever. But I just know she's in so, so much trouble.

And...I'm scared. Kind of. I don't know if they'll come for me next. I thought, well, maybe if I knew where you are, I could come join you for a while, and we could figure something out?

I understand if you don't want to talk. But I'd really, really appreciate it if you did. So if you get this message, please call me back, okay? I'll...I'll be waiting for your reply. I'm not going anywhere.

Love you.