The Wanderer [1st Draft]

The Accident

Western North Dakota

October 23, 2019 – 9:57 A.M. Central

"She's leaving," the middle aged woman told her husband as she watched the young woman pack her bike through the kitchen window.

"Yeah, I know," he answered sadly, taking a drink of his coffee.

"More stubborn than you, that one," the woman commented, drying her hands with a tea towel. "And I thought you were the most stubborn person in the world," she added, half-teasing her husband of over 20 years.

"That girl could frustrate a mule," her husband shot back with a faint smirk.

"She's just been hurt."

Her husband shook his head. "No. Something broke inside of her. I know that haunted look in her eyes," he added. "It's the look of someone who's lost everything that mattered."

The older woman sighed, looking back out the window with tears pricking her eyes. "Do you think she will ever be at peace again?"

"Hard to say," her husband said while staring into the newspaper. "Sometimes they find a way to heal – sometimes death is the only peace they ever find."

"Let's pray she finds peace before she dies. Perhaps even find it in her to love," she said quietly. "Lord knows she'd never find it here."

"I think that's a good thing to do. Maybe you should add her to that prayer list. The more voices asking for God to help her, the better," he agreed. "Poor Paul is going to be heartbroken, though. Lad got attached to her quick, but I warned him she was never gonna stay here."

"Well, we will help cheer him up. Perhaps we should introduce him to Sharon. She's a sweet girl and single."

Her husband laughed. "She's sweet, but she ain't all that bright."

"Well, John isn't a rocket scientist, either."

"That's no lie," he agreed, looking at the wall a moment, then at her. "Maybe you're right. Both are good kids and they're both lonely. But, you might want to give it a bit. He's gonna be down for a while. He really had his heart set on her."

"I'll play it by ear," she reassured him, watching as the woman across the street pulled on her helmet and fastened it down.

As soon as she had the helmet fastened, she zipped up the heavy leather jacket and mounted the bike. Soon after, the roar of the old Harley filled the air, then she walked it back a couple of feet before she turned the handlebars hard to one side and began moving forward, turning the bike around to the main road. Once the tires were on the pavement, the bike sped up and she was soon out of sight.

"God be with you, child," the older woman whispered to herself, sending a quick prayer to God that the woman had a safe trip to wherever the road took her next.

Reed was about four hours on the road when she spotted a gas station off to the right. She was getting low on gas and needed a coffee before she went further, especially since the cold front was causing a drop in temperature. It wouldn't be much longer before she'd have to find a motel. Driving in the cold could be a problem, but she was more worried about the chance of snow. Just from the look of the sky, she could tell it was coming.

There were a few pickups, a car, and a jeep in the parking lot, plus another truck at one of the pumps. After getting herself a coffee, she paid for everything, then browsed as she sipped on the hot brew. It wasn't great, but that wasn't important. She'd eat it with a spoon, if she needed to for the inner warmth.