Two days later
Sue was walking in the bus station with Levi. Howie asked her to meet him here, but he wasn't in the waiting area. She wandered in the bus parking lot where over a dozen buses were lined up. Passengers were coming out while more were going in. She bumped into a very young woman with red hair, making her drop the silver case she was carrying. The woman opened it. The case was padded and the beautifully crafted bagpipes inside didn't suffer any damage.
"I am sorry," apologized Sue. "Is everything fine?"
The young woman nodded.
Sue noticed her eyes, a blue one and a green one, very sad eyes for someone so young, like she was carrying the world on her shoulders.
"May I help you? My name is Sue."
The young woman declined and placed her case under the bus. She kept her backpack with her and boarded the bus.
Sue resumed her search for Howie. She saw the bus with the redhead woman leave. The overhead sign said '67-New York'. Sue could make out the young woman in the third row, her head against the window. Why the young woman made an impression on her, Sue couldn't tell. She just did and Sue felt sorry for her, not exactly sure why either.
After one more hour, Sue went home. Something must have detained Howie.
Lucy was watching the news. Sue dropped on the couch beside her best friend and roommate. Why was the news always depressing? Sue paid barely attention until the picture of a young woman filled the screen and grabbed her attention.
She read the closed caption at the bottom of the screen.
'Vanessa Murphy, 17-year-old daughter of Senator Brian Murphy, was presumed dead after a car accident.'
The image shifted to a lake where a car was fished out of the water.
'Ms Murphy was reported missing two days ago and her car was found at the bottom of the lake near the family cottage in North Carolina after she crossed the barricades. Articles of clothing belonging to the victim began to resurface yesterday, leading the investigators to search the lake. At this point, the body of Ms Murphy is still missing, but very strong undercurrents could have carried it miles away and it could be weeks or months before it's recovered.'
Then a poll appeared on the screen.
With sympathy votes pouring in, the senator increased his lead by twelve percent in the last twenty-four hours.'
Picture of Vanessa Murphy filled the screen once more.
'Tonight, our prayers are with the senator and his wife.'
Sue stopped reading, her eyes locked on the young woman. Vanessa had shoulder length blond hair and her eyes, a blue one and a green one, were shining brightly, memories of happier times. And Sue knew, without the shred of a doubt, that a few hours ago she was staring into those same eyes, but filled with sorrows.
***
Sue was ready to turn back when the door opened.
Jack was wearing a pair of sweatpants and had a towel around his shoulders. Beads of water were still clinging to his bare chest, and his wet hair was dripping down his neck. Sue gaped while Jack smiled.
"Come in." Pleasantly surprise, he opened the door for her and Levi.
"I am sorry, Jack. I didn't mean to interrupt." She was trying to keep her eyes on his face but the twinkling in his eyes was just as alluring as his half-naked body. She obviously caught him on his way out of the shower.
