Beyond the Family Ties

Part 19

With their packed bags locked in the trunk of the car, excuses made to Angel and their friends, they bundled themselves up in the car and left the city behind. Becky drove, for the most part, sunglasses shading her eyes as they sped down the highway, making for the south-west of the country, to the little quaint island jutting out from the mainland. They made frequent stops along the way, stretching out their legs, refueling and stocking up on snacks from inside the gas stations. Laurel was content for the most part, listening to the maddening children's songs that Becky put on the car's CD player for her, while Freen enthusiastically sang along, trying to engage the little girl in a game of I spy in between bouts of singing.

The weather grew hotter as they made their way south, and the car became stuffy even with the windows open, making Becky irritable as she dozed lightly in the passenger seat, having swapped with Freen at the last gas station. Becky was starting to wish that they had stayed within California, but Freen had been so excited to show her the place she'd vacationed with her parents that Becky couldn't possibly say no to the idea. Still, it was a long drive, taking nearly two days, with a stopover at a roadside motel halfway through, when they were both too exhausted to keep driving. It would've been easier to fly, and Becky certainly had the means to pay their way, but airports were more easily trackable, and she couldn't be sure that her brother wouldn't be watching her. As it was, she was paranoid enough, on the open road with no one following them, and she was glad for the secret gun stashed in her bag. She hadn't told Freen about it yet, and was waiting until they got to the island before revealing the fact. It would only piss her off, but it was necessary. Especially now, so far away from home.

Nearly two days later, as the sun was rising, painting the sky a fiery orange and pink above the sparkling sea, they arrived on Sanibel island, and with weary satisfaction, Becky followed the instructions to the tiny beach shack that Freen had booked for them. Laurel was sleeping as they pulled up at the cluster of pastel coloured cabins, and Becky carefully eased her out of the carseat, while Freen gathered their bags up, and the three of them walked towards the reception of the place. A woman in a Hawaiian shirt manned the front desk, and she looked at them with boredom as they stepped inside, cool air mercifully washing over them from a creaky fan whirring high up in one corner. Giving her a bright smile, Freen gave their name and was handed a pair of keys in return, and they were turned back out into the early morning sunshine.

Following the earthen path between the shacks, they found theirs close to the start of the beach, salt air and the smell of hot sand giving off a strong summery vibe as Freen climbed the few wooden steps up to the door. Their cabin was peach coloured with white trimmings, and Becky thought it was oddly charming as she carried her daughter up, the fly screen squeaking as Freen pulled it open and fit the key into the lock. Admitting them into the dimly lit room, Freen gave Becky an excited smile over her shoulder and stepped inside.

It was sparsely furnished, dark and smelling faintly of dust and sand, and Freen set their bags down as she let out a relieved sigh, looking around the place with a fondness to her face. There was a small kitchen area, the counters painted a lemon yellow, worn wooden floorboards, a sagging, faded blue sofa set in front of an old TV, and two doors leading off to other rooms. One held an outdated bathroom, the naked bulb harshly illuminating the tacky tiles of the place, and the other held a bedroom. A single bed was pushed up against one wall, while a double was wedged up into the corner of the opposite. Walking over to the beds, Becky carefully set Laurel down on the double for the time being, placing a thin pillow beneath her head and drawing the blinds and curtains to keep the sunlight out.

Walking back out to the living area, she watched as Freen pulled cups of the cupboards and ran the water in the kitchen sink, staring out through the slits in the blinds as she took in the sunny sights beyond the shade of their shack. "What do you think?" she happily asked, looking over her shoulder as Becky appeared behind her.