In Darkness and In Light

Wait what?

My ears felt like they were going to explode as I tore down the freeway. My 5am start turned into a 3am, I couldn't sleep and even the slight prospect of Robyn being at the cottage was enough for me to leave Vegas.

I expected at least one speaker to break from the bass but it seemed the sound system in this car was phenomenal. I was being heavy footed pushing the car but time wasn't on my side.

If she wasn't there and workers were tearing that house apart? Well that would send her off the deep knowing the last piece of her parents were being torn down for some development shit.

This mornings music was metal and rock, anything loud. But as the day progressed I changed it for rap, techno and garage.

I only stopped for gas and had stocked up on organic grain bars and water. I'm sure the sales assistant thought I had a problem as I cleared the shelf of vanilla and blueberry bars. But I knew the meaning behind them.

As I shot into North Dakota I contemplated easing off the gas, looking down at the dial I soon slowed my speed to an acceptable pace not wanting to be stopped by some miserable cop.

I went past a florist looking at the flowers in display buckets outside before doing a complete u-turn and pulling up outside.

I had grovelling to do.. Serious grovelling.

Getting out I slipped inside and looked around at the flowers. Blowing out my cheeks I almost took my phone out when an assistant appeared.

"Can I help?" She smiled.

"White roses." I blurted out.

"How many?" She asked walking over to them and picking up the bucket.

"12 please."

One for each year..

*******

Maybe I was hoping more than I should as I drove along the road. A seat of roses and granola bars.

I should get pizza.

Narrowing my eyes around, I pulled up outside a take out and went inside to find two workers arguing over a box

"It should have gone 10 minutes ago!" A man yelled.

"How can I take it with no address?!" Another man fired back.

"I told you 3 times! It's Elderberry Cottage."

My throat ran dry as I looked at the pizza..

Pizza to that address.

"I've came to collect my pizza?" I spoke making the men stop.

"Sorry?"

"Yeah that one.. That's mine. The wife was getting cranky. Women." I rolled my eyes pulling out a $50 dollar bill and putting it on the side.

Both men looked at me and then the money before handing over the pizza without any questions. I almost scoffed at how money orientated they both were.

I gave them a fake smile before heading out the take out.

"Jackasses." I muttered getting into the car and heading to the cottage.

Tiredness was creeping up on me as I drove to the top of the hill and looked down across the green pastures. The cottage was still there, along with someone who had put out sheets on a washing line letting them blow in the wind.

"If she's hangry. I'm good as dead." I spoke to myself before checking my hair and pulling out my aftershave..

Just in case.