A Tale of Two Carnies

28 - Freedom!

The trial was over. Suddenly, Cozbi and I were faced with a question. What now?

Alvin advised me to drive around to the rear of the courthouse to avoid any reporters lurking at the entrance and to steer clear of any angry citizens who might still be convinced Cozbi was guilty.

I did as he asked. Alvin escorted Cozbi to the passenger door of the Beast and held the door for her. She climbed in.

Before closing the door, Alvin spoke, "Listen to me, both of you. Cozbi has not been acquitted. People are going to speculate she might be guilty and had to be let go on a technicality. That's going to hang over her head for a long time. I suggest you leave the county. Jace, I advise you to not return to the Dancing Bear tonight. Too many people know you're staying there and assume Cozbi will be with you. I'll bring the rest of the dresses you purchased and drop them off with the Dunnes. You can pick them up later after things cool down."

We both thanked him profusely.

I pointed the Beast toward Harrisburg, the nearest city, and drove away figuring we could lose ourselves in one of the chain motels near the airport. Stealing a glance at Cozbi, it frightened me how skinny and pale she appeared. Her gaze was fixed straight ahead out the windshield.

"Are you all right?" I asked.

"I don't know."

"You need a decent meal. We'll hit a restaurant, and you can order whatever you want and as much as you want. I suggest pasta." Realizing I needed to clear the air, I said, "I don't want to presume, but you want to be with me, right? I mean, at least for now."

I kept my eyes on the road but could feel her staring at me. "I have nobody else except for some relatives in Romania. I'm not going there. I have no source of income. I have nothing."

It's what I figured.

"I'm going to be nineteen next week," she said out of the blue. "I'm so glad I won't have to spend my birthday in lockup."

A minute later, Cozbi pressed both her palms against the dashboard. "Stop the Beast."

I pulled over. Before I came to a complete stop, Cozbi threw open the door and jumped out. She stepped away, got to her knees, and vomited.

I climbed out and went to her. Her entire body trembled. I got to my knees beside her and held her hair.

"I'm sorry," she whispered and retched again.

It didn't take a shrink to realize she was suffering from post-traumatic stress. "No need to be sorry. It's okay. You're safe. It's over." I reassured her as best as I could and eventually she stopped shaking. I helped her up and embraced her, alarmed again over how insubstantial she felt in my arms.

"Can we go now?" I asked.

She nodded and I helped her back into the Beast.

I checked us in to a motel within walking distance of an Italian restaurant and a steak house. When we entered our room, Cozbi said, "Before we do anything, I need to take a shower. I stink of vomit and sweat."

"Go ahead, take a nice long, hot shower. While you do that, I'll dig out some of your things stored in the back of the Beast."

All my clothes were in my room at the Dancing Bear. I'd have to go get them and planned to do so the next day against Alvin's advice.

After unloading a box containing her clothes, I laid back on one of the room's double beds and waited. When I heard her turn off the water, I knocked on the bathroom door. "Cozbi, I'll slide your box of clothes to you."