You Can Always Come Home

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Quinn had been driving all night through the rain, afraid that if she stopped even for a moment she would see his red Ferrari catch up to her. Her heart hadn't stopped pounding despite the three thousand miles that lay between them, with her mind playing out different scenarios of his reaction to her absence. She tried to shake away the thoughts of him and his anger from her mind, returning her attention on the road. She was past exhaustion now, watching miserably as the headlights on the highway blurred together as they passed. She wanted sleep, she wanted food, but she pushed herself to stay focused on getting far enough away.

Half a tank later, Quinn decided she could finally stop. Her car was almost out of fuel and her body was out of energy. She saw a red sign shining brightly through the water that slapped on her windshield and she quickly slowed down to turn in. She grabbed her jacket from her bag and pulled it over her head protectively, opening the door and quickly darting through the rain to the gas station.

Behind the register sat a tired old man who grunted as she walked in. Quinn pulled off her coat and made her way through the aisles of food and drinks, finding the bathroom and locking herself in. She flicked on the light and observed herself in the mirror. The swelling had finally gone down and the blood from her lips had disappeared. The only reminder Quinn had of their fight was the tint of dark blue that surrounded her eye and the deep cut on her cheek. She placed her hands under the sink, splashing cold refreshing water on her face. She ran a hand through her tangled wet blonde locks, trying to straighten herself up before opening the door to leave.

The rumble in her stomach reminded her that she had yet to eat all day, and she browsed around the racks of food that surrounded her. She never had eaten junk food really, mostly because he told her it would make her fat. He had pointed out sweetly one day as she munched on a piece of cheesecake that sugary desserts and salty chips would catch up to her one day. "Fat people aren't attractive to anyone.," he said kindly, "You don't want to be ugly now do you?" The memory flashed in her brain and Quinn grew angry with herself, wondering how she could have ever let him run her life. She marched herself over to the Debbie cake aisle and grabbed the first Ding Dong she saw. She tore the wrapper off quickly and bit into the treat, savoring the sweetness she hadn't been allowed to have. She grabbed a few more cakes and a bottle of water, making her way to the cashier and unloading the contents. He glanced her over then smiled, ringing up each item lightly.

"You could use a few more of these.," he said chuckling, "You're nothing but skin and bones." Quinn smiled courteously, taking a sip from her water and grabbing her wallet.

"I'd also like twenty for pump two please.," she said softly. The clerk nodded, adding it on and giving her the amount. She shuffled through her wallet, pulling out a small bundle of cash. Quinn had learned early on to always use cash anywhere she went. Her husband made it a habit to check up on her daily and see where she would go in her free time, which had been the source of more than a few arguments.

"So where ya heading to so late at night?," he asked while taking the money.

"I...I don't really know.," Quinn answered slowly. Three thousand miles later and she had yet to decide where she was going or what she was doing, only focusing on how far away she could distance herself.

"Well," smiled the man as he handed her the change, "I hope you find what you're looking for."

Quinn had found a small motel just off the interstate and checked herself in under a different name. While it smelled like dirt and looked as if it hadn't been cleaned in awhile, she settled in, happy to finally get some sleep. She took a quick shower and slipped into her comfiest pajamas, pulling back the sheets and climbing in. She laid her head against the soft pillow and felt her body unwind. She could feel herself beginning to slip into unconsciousness and she smiled. This was the first night in years Quinn had actually gone to bed without crying, fighting, picking up broken glass or having to please the stranger who laid beside her. She had actually been able to rest and give herself the break she needed. While she didn't know where she was going or what she would do when she got there, Quinn knew that she was free and finally able to live the life she wanted.