Destination 1974

Chapter 20

|Hollywood sounds nice this time of year... |

~***~

We get to a gas station in the middle of nowhere, the FBI facility far beyond what's in the rear-view mirror. Clyde and I walk out of his truck, and he puts the gas pump in his truck as I stride to the phone booth as we planned. I close myself in the dirty booth and glance over at Clyde before inserting the coins into the phone. I wearily spin the dial, feeling my heart beat faster as I punch in each number. I sigh as I hear the phone ringing on the other line, half of me wishing she won't pick up.

"Hello?" oh how her angelic voice pisses me off.

"Hey, mother," I pause, gulping virtual spit, "It's Desdemona."

"Where're you calling from, honey?" she asks, her voice strained and trying too hard to stay calm.

"I'm not stupid enough to call from the police station if that's what you're insinuating..." I groan, rolling my eyes even though she can't see it. "I got out."

"How on earth did you do that?"

I look at Clyde, and he finishes paying for the gas, glancing at me at the same moment. I can't help but grin. "It's a long story that's better told in person."

"Right, so you want to come home..." she fumbles with the phone for a moment, then breathes into the receiver, "alright, sweetpea, listen carefully," I tighten my grip and nod.

I realize my nod is useless so I mutter, "I'm listening, mother."

~***~

The garbage bag smells of rotting eggs, and the liquids leaking from the bottom leaves a dark velvet pool of crimson. The little girl drops the gun, realizing that there's no way out of what she's done.

"If only my son was like you," Carolyn mutters under her breath as she helps drag the bag out of the motel room.

The little girl tilts her head in bewilderment. "Son? Who's your Son?"

Carolyn and Clarence go silent, looking at each other as their muscles freeze. Carolyn's gaze is glued to the floor as she stays silent for a moment.

"You remind us of him, but in many ways, you're so much better," Clarence speaks in a gruff tone, tugging the bag out of the room as Carolyn stands behind, staring at the little girl.

"Desdemona," she whispers, "I love you...but nobody will ever replace my boy..."

Desdemona's gaze casts to the floor, nodding with an understanding of the situation. "Where is he now?"

"He left long ago, still little...still pure. He couldn't do what you just did because he was never strong enough...but I still miss him every day."

"I can help you find him," Desdemona mumbles as she fiddles with the hem of her dress.

Carolyn's head pops up with a glowing smile. "Really?"

"Yeah, mama," Desdemona furrows her brows, dropping her hands to the side, "but you have to help me find my sister." Carolyn engulfs Desdemona in a bear hug with tears escaping her eyes.

"Deal."

~***~

"Is that clear, Desdemona‽" Mother's voice is somewhat audible over the phone. I shake my head, realizing I zoned out for a moment there. I sigh bitterly and look over to Clyde before responding.

~***~

"Why can't I just keep my other name?" the young girl asks with a pure naïvety to her complexion.