Mystifying

Four

I sat there next to Alice. We were currently hiding behind a gas station somewhere in Nevada. We had been hiding for three days now, barely getting anything to eat. Sometimes kind people would hand us water bottles, granola bars, and maybe money.

I stood up, "I'm going to go use the bathroom and maybe pick up a snack." I informed Alice.

She nodded and tried to smile. I walked into the convenience store, a little bell rang above my head. A head popped up from under the front desk. It was a short old man who apparently worked at the shop. I smiled, "Just here to use the bathroom."

He leaned over the counter, "Sure I can't get you anything to eat? You look mighty hungry."

"Maybe later." I turned and walked into the restroom. I looked at myself in the mirror. The man was right, I did look starving. My old, ripped up tee shirt was clinging to my skin and bones. I smelled of dirt, and my hair was un-groomed. I patted down my hair and brushed off my clothes. I used the bathroom and returned back into the empty room full of snacks and souvenirs.

The little man greeted me, "Hey, you're back! We've got some fine deals on these here key chains!"   

I shook my head, "No thank you, I'll just get some food."

He nodded, "Help yourself!"

I grabbed some water bottles, a couple bags of chips, and two hamburgers. I set the items on the desk. The man pressed some buttons on the computer and gave me the price, "That'll be eight dollars even!"

I pulled out a five dollar bill and three smashed up ones from my pocket. "This is all I have."

"Just enough!" He took the money and bagged my food, "You look like you could use some better clothes there miss. I have a son who could give you some for free!"

I grabbed the bag, "Oh really? Would he really be willing to do that?"

"Oh sure! He works at a thrift store downtown, they usually give him free clothes that are left over. I'm sure he'd hook you up with something clean to wear!"

I smiled a true smile, "Thank you sir, that's very nice of you! Where can I find him?"

The man got out a slip of paper, "He's over on Cherry street, here's the address. He doesn't live too far from here."

I put the folded paper in my pocket, "Thanks again mister-"

"Abram!" He called out.

I waved and left the store. I found Alice and told her the news as we ate.

She bite into the burger, "Really he gave you the address?" She said with her mouth full.

"Yep, he was really kind. I think we should believe him." I said reaching for my water bottle.

Alice stood up, "Well then, let us go!"

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The rest of the evening we spent finding this man's house. Eventually we found it and rang the bell. A tall, handsome man with bright green eyes opened the door, surprised, "Uh, how may I help you ladies?"

I showed him the paper with the address, "Is this the right place?"

"Yeah why-"

Alice interrupted, "We met your father at the gas station and he told us to come here to find you. He said you might be willing to give us some better clothes."

The guy stood in the doorway, clearly confused, "He didn't say anything to me. I guess I didn't hear the phone earlier. Well please come in, I'll find you somewhere to sit."