Lover in the Window

A Thousand and One Miles

The city of Indianapolis hums with loud life, and it feels livelier than Wayward Bay ever did. While Tracy focuses on her GPS the children sit in awe of the passing skylines. The large highways turn into large parkways, and parkways turn in to small beating single lane roads with many overpasses. Here and there is a trestle bridge, all rusting and spray painted heavily with various vivid colors. A history of names, Eli thought. What a different world this is.

As they enter along the edge of the outer city, everything around Eli turns into wide avenues of cracked pavements, gas stations, grocery stores, and tons of shopping centers. However, there is just as many empty lots as there are people milling around in the parks. It was beautiful in some areas, which reflects the inner soul of these people. Simultaneously, there are odd scenes that feel dull or discarding like the whole city took a vote to decide to forget they exist. The architectural nest rose high above the plain in a way that made Eli, Evelyn, and Tracy - for the matter - uncomfortable.

Why does all this make me nervous? The steel beams dangling from mile high cranes - the homeless people gawking from the corners - or the thought of being misplaced. I know I don't belong here. I feel like everyone else does to. However, I cannot go home. I have no home. I'm unwelcome everywhere.

Tracy spots Huddle House and proceeds to the parking lot, knowing she has a substantial amount of cash put back, she knows she could afford to let the children pick anything they want off the menu today. She pulls in and puts the car in park.

"What are we doing momma?" Eli is accustomed to only ever dining out at places like this when it is reserved for family reunions or birthday parties. A rare treat.

"Let's eat here, you can pick anything you want to." Tracy smiled and turned to wink at Eve "You too little Miss."

Once they go inside and sit-down Eli and Eve was gazing through the menu, their smiles lit up the room as they try to decide on what would be the most delicious. Eli went with a Mega Bacon Burger with fries, Eve went with Pancakes with extra syrup, and Tracy went with a BLT with extra chili cheese fries. The meal is delicious and a welcome delight from driving nine and a half hours straight. Soon after the plates are empty and everyone sits back against their metal chairs with a fat tummy, Tracy books a Super 8 hotel just next door to the Waffle House; Oddly the Waffle House and Super 8 are conjoined structures. Sometimes everything works out. I hope the luck continues. Tracy thinks. The lady behind the counter of the Super 8 is plenty kind. It must be a tough line of work. You spend all day booking in folks that might be on vacation. Somehow vicariously being a part of someone else's family adventure but not being a part of it at the same time. It's just a job. Tracy loves the smiles on the children's faces. Evelyn skips along in front of everyone - with enough exhilaration for the three of them but Eli just strolls casually alongside his mother as nonchalant as he can be.

"This is gonna be the best day ever!" Evelyn shouts - jumping up and down as her hair flops with her. "Thank you, mommy! Thank you!"

"You're welcome," Tracy stares down at Eve and they share a long grin. Tracy runs her fingers through Evelyn's locks.

"This is wonderful." Eli holds one hand out with his fingers dragging them down the carpeted walls. "Do you think dad will find us here?" Eli adds with a light voice.

"You don't have to worry about that, son." Tracy asserts. "Not in the least."

Eli's mind begins to race as it most often did - a child's uncertain imagination - a panic.

"What if the police are looking for us? The way we just vanished. I don't want to go back there. I like this place."

"You don't have to return there to him. Moreover, we aren't staying here forever. It's just for tonight."