The Getaway Driver
"Okay, get out." My date told me.
"Get out? Where?" I asked incredulously.
"Here! Get out!" If I hadn't seen the shine of metal, I would have ignored him, but I thought it was a gun, so I got out." He pulled away slowly. I stood there, alone and in pitch blackness, waiting for my eyes to adjust. I pulled out my iPhone, but closed my eyes, knowing it would blind me. Through the tiniest slit, I punched 911, but of course, I was out of range.
I knew I was in the desert, but where and which way was town? As my eyes adjusted, all I saw was a glow in one direction, but which direction? In any case, I decide to start walking, for I was surrounded by sheer blackness.
I toed my way to the road, I didn't need to fall in a gopher hole. It was getting colder and all I wore was a slip dress, since we had been to dinner and dancing. I decided to replay the whole evening and figure out which clue I had missed.
Sure, I had met him online and it was a blind date, but we had met in public at a fancy restaurant, well, I did have to pay the check for he had forgotten his wallet, but that happens. Right?
Then he needed to stop at a convenience store on the way to his part of town. I was just going to drop him off. He asked if he could drive and of course, knowing how much guys like sports cars, I let him. My Audi wasn't that special, but he kinda swooned over it.
And then when we left the convenience store, he had such a large bag for a pack of cigarettes and he wouldn't talk and he headed out of the city and... okay, way too many clues and I had been had.
I kept walking, but cursed my very high heels. I was going to break an ankle. I broke of the heels, but stuck them in my evening bag, thinking they might make a good weapon.
The sky was beginning to lighten behind me, so I was heading West toward town, but which town? I kept trying my phone and suddenly I had a signal! I punched 911.
"911, what is your emergency?"
"Can you see my location?" A pause.
"Yes, Ma'am. You appear to be a few miles from Desert City. Do you have an emergency?"
"Yes! Yes... my date stole my car and I am heading to the city lights."
"I have dispatched the Sheriff's office ma'am and they are on the way. I will stay on the line until they arrive. Can you tell me about your car?"
I gave the Audi's info and then saw flashing lights headed toward me. I stepped carefully off the road and waited. I waved as the car approached and it pulled to a stop in front of me. A seasoned sheriff donned his cowboy hat and helped me into the big SUV.
I was shivering so he blasted the heat and gave me a jacket from a hook. It smelled like Old Spice after shave, so it was reassuring.
"Thank you!" I said through chattering teeth.
"Yes, Ma'am. You okay?"
"Oh yeah, he didn't assault me or anything, just dumped me in the desert and stole my Audi." I laughed nervously. We were soon at the Sheriff's office and he led me to a comfortable chair near the fireplace, still wearing the jacket. I was glad he hadn't asked for it, for I felt so naked in the utilitarian office.
The 911 operator waved to me and I waved back. "Thank you!" I told her and she nodded and gave me a thumbs up.
I gave a description of the guy and told of the night's events, prefacing my story with, 'I know I was an idiot, but... '
My car was found, unscathed, in the next town over and they found the empty bag, that had held all the cash from the store. They also found a note, 'Sorry, Cherie, but I needed a way out of town and some money. You are a charming young woman and will do well.'
I gaped at the note. He was so civil and it seemed as if he was thanking me for a tea party!
"Can we take you home, Miss?" Asked the Sheriff.
"Please, well, back to the hotel. I am just out here to see the desert and party a little. I haven't seen the desert yet and the partying was less than pleasant, so the hotel would be great."
"Since we have to drive back the way you came, I will give you a quick tour as I drive you back, deal?"
"Deal!" It was still chilly outside, but I kept the jacket and enjoyed the beautiful sunrise on the desert and the micro tour by the Sheriff. The hotel came too quickly and I hated to give up the jacket at the hotel, knowing he would see my scanty dress.
"Have a good day, young woman and always bring a sweater when you go out after dark in the desert." He smirked and drove off. I did the walk of the shame into the hotel lobby, but was met by the manager who told me the police would return my car and keys when they were finished with the exam. I thanked him and headed to my room.
I shivered one more time, ordered room service and headed for a hot shower. Breakfast was wonderful as was the terrace with a view of the desert floor, waves of heat already beginning to rise. It was a magical place I would always remember.
---
He smiled from the desert floor. Sure, he was a wanted man now, but he had already mailed the store their money and he had been paid extremely well by the young woman's family. They felt she needed an adventure; an adventure to last a lifetime. He lifetime was short, it seemed... An inoperable brain tumor.
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