Crashed Into Reality

Chapter 12

Frank and Trina had gotten the supplies he needed, as well as a new shirt. After they had gone through the drive through at McDonald's, Frank had driven to a "Park n' Go" lot. As Trina was digging into her pancakes drenched in syrup, Frank took off his jacket, removed the towel wrapped on his arm, and began to clean the wound with some rubbing alcohol. Every ounce in him wanted to yell obscenities, but he held it in, so he wouldn't frighten Trina. He dried off his arm and applied 4 x 4 pads covered with antibiotic cream to the bullet wound. There was no exit wound, which meant the bullet was still in there. It wasn't ideal medical care for a bullet wound, but it would do, for now.

After he was done patching himself up, he swallowed 4 extra strength pain relievers. He put his shirt on, and started driving again.

"Thank you for the pancakes, my belly is much happier now. Where are we going now, Frank?" Trina was full of energy, probably too much sugar from all that syrup.

"Well, darlin', we are going to drive for a while and make sure the bad guys aren't following us, then, maybe later, we can call your mom, and let her know you're safe." He headed east on side roads. It was the opposite direction of the Greene house, but he wanted to be extra sure they didn't have a tail.

"Yes, yes, I want to call my mommy. When we go home, are you going to stay with us? I'll tell my mommy how nice you have been, and you can stay with us."

"Thanks, darlin', that's really sweet. But, I think I am going to do a little traveling. Maybe, I'll go to Mexico for a while. Do you know where Mexico is?" The thought of staying with Trina was a really nice one, but no way he would put them in danger, with all the people that were going to be looking for him.

"Yes, Mexico is a place where they have donkeys, and piñatas, and they eat tacos all the time." Trina was very proud of herself.

Frank smiled at her delightful description, "Yes, that's right."

It seemed like hours since June left to deliver the drive. Matt was nervously walking around the living room, and looked at the clock, 1:04. Okay, she should be making the drop right now, and hopefully on her way back home.

He dropped down to his knees to pray. "Dear Lord, Please be with June. Keep her safe, and give her strength. And Trina, that she's unharmed, and on her way home. Bring some comfort to this hurting family."

After about twenty devastatingly long minutes, he heard the door open. He jumped up and ran to the hall, to see a weary June walk through. She was emotionally drained, but otherwise, appeared to be unharmed.

"How did it go?"

"I did everything just as he said, fought everything inside of me to keep from turning around to see who picked up the box. Jeez, I only hope someone else didn't see me drop the drive in the box. What would I do if the wrong person got it? No, no! I can't think that. It got picked up by the right person, and any time now, we will be getting a call about Trina."

"No doubt this is going to be the hardest part. If we just sit around, it's going to drive us...you crazy, it eats you up. Okay, let's try to do something to take our minds off of the waiting. Do you want to go work out downstairs?" Matt winced as he remembered the beating she gave him yesterday.

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea, otherwise I'd be going mad, and I'm definitely too wound up to sleep. Oh, Matt, you don't have any extra clothes do you? I could go grab a pair of Garrett's shorts for you." June headed for the stairs.