At The River's Crossing

Chapter 3

Sunlight blinded me as I opened the back door. I blinked and squinted in the midday sun. It was too bright, and I couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to make anything out.

A hand gently patted my stomach trying to push me back, "Oh, honey, why don't you just step back and I'll come in out of the sun?"

I stumbled back a few feet, opening my eyes as the lock clicked into place. An older woman stood there with a gentle smile on her face, a large black purse, and a brown paper bag in one hand. Red lettering on the bag read 'Al's General Store'.

She gestured for me to walk into the main room, following behind me as I led the way. Standing near the bathroom door, she handed me the paper bag. "Why don't you go put this on? I want to take you out for a proper meal, but I don't think you'll get too far in the snow in those clothes."

I took the bag from her and entered the bathroom. She turned to look around the room as I closed the door. "I'm glad this space is finally getting use. It's been empty for years, but I never knew what to do with it."

Inside the bag, there were jeans, a flannel, a hoodie, a beanie, and a large pair of snow boots. I put everything on over what I was already wearing, figuring the extra layer would help keep me warm.

I checked my reflection in the mirror. The pieces missing made it hard to see how I really looked, but I think I looked okay. It wasn't my normal style, but it was a solid look.

The woman turned to the sound of the bathroom door opening as I walked out. She clasped her hands together. "Oh, honey, you look so handsome. Do the boots fit?"

I looked down awkwardly. They were a little big, and I had to tie the laces tight to keep them from sliding when I walked. "Yeah, they're great."

"Okay, great! Well then, let's get a move on." She put out her elbow from me to grab. It was an unusually familiar gesture, but she had already done so much for me, it felt weird to reject it.

I reached out and took her arm, and she pulled me closer and patted my hand on her arm. "Oh! Before we go out," She let go of my hand and rummaged in her purse, producing a pair of stylish sunglasses, "Use these until your eyes adjust. It seemed like you were having trouble with the sunlight."

I took the sunglasses and put them on as she led me out of the building. The sun was still painful, but much easier with the extra protection.

I looked around the area outside the building. It was hard to make much out last night, but I could see everything now. Behind the building was a small parking lot. Almost random hedges closed in most of the area, but leaving little windows every once in a while. I could see some houses and cars through the spaces.

Piles of snow were scattered around, partially melted in the midday sun. I pulled my hoodie up to my chin and crowded closer to the woman. Even in the sun, I could still feel the cold bite at my exposed skin.

The woman brought me over to a silver pickup truck, opening the passenger door, and making sure I was safely inside before closing the door. I looked around the interior of the truck. There wasn't much in here outside what you'd expect. A travel mug sat in the cupholder, a small drop of coffee stuck in the lip. The floor mats were in good condition and looked like they had recently been vacuumed.

An ID badge hung from the rearview mirror. The top of it had a city seal and the words 'Union Creek City Hall'. There was a picture of the woman in the middle in a suit jacket and button-up. Under her picture was her name: 'Shuey, Elinor'.

"Elinor," I muttered to myself.

The woman looked up at me with wide eyes as she put on her seatbelt, and then followed my eyesight and laughed softly. "Ah, yeah. Most people call me El. I thought I was in trouble for a second." She laughed again as she started the car.