Wisdom Spring by Andrew Cunningham Read Free Book Online Page A

badly shopping for you.” I put the bags down on the bed.
    All in all, I think I did okay. She gave a couple of the tops a funny look, but was way too polite to make any critical comments. The sneakers actually fit—I had been worried about that—as did the sandals. I could tell the shorts weren’t exactly her style, but they would do. She was happy with the jeans though.
    After thanking me for the tenth time, she retreated to the bathroom with her treasures, especially excited to use the toothbrush. When she came out, she was a new woman.
    “I can’t tell you how good it feels to be out of the clothes I’ve been wearing for days now.”
    I had also picked up a suitcase for her, and she proceeded to carefully pack it.
    “I still don’t think we should go to a sit-down place for breakfast.” I looked at my watch. “Or rather, lunch. I think we should pick up something for the road, then talk about the route we want to take to Alaska.”
    “Sounds good to me. I can live on take-out for as long as is necessary.”
    There was an optimistic tone to her voice. It was almost as if she had forgotten there was a massive search on for her. Almost. Or maybe she just wanted to feel normal for a little while and had pushed it all away. It would all come back far too quickly, so I tried not to do or say anything to trigger that reality. Not yet.
    We left by way of the side entrance, the fugitive and her accomplice.
    *****
    I stopped at a Subway and we picked up sandwiches and chips. I think I had now made a total eating transition from my old stodgy life.
    She dug into her sandwich with a vengeance. I realized that she had been so upset the night before, she hadn’t eaten much of the Chinese food, and was famished.
    She stopped chewing and seemed to be trying to remember something. I was quiet while she went through her exercise.
    “I had a dream about Las Vegas last night. I just remembered it.” She looked at me. “Think that means anything?”
    “Ever been to Vegas?” I asked.
    “Nope,” she said, taking another bite.
    “Then, yeah, I do. Why would you dream about someplace you’ve never been?”
    “I could picture the strip and the hotels. But then, maybe I’ve just seen too many episodes of CSI .”
    “It kind of makes sense. I was thinking that we should head north before we hit California. Go up through Utah and Idaho. Less congested.”
    “And you think Vegas is less congested?” she asked.
    I chuckled. “No, but it’s a great place to get lost in. We can blend into the background. Hey, I’m willing to listen to The Voice, even if it wasn’t technically The Voice.”
    “There is no such thing as ‘technically The Voice’,” she said. “A dream seems to be as real as an actual voice, and for that matter, a lot more common than an actual voice. I had a feeling it was a message, but I wanted to get your feedback on it.”
    “Vegas it is. I haven’t been there in a couple of years.”
    “Don’t they have cameras all over the place? Could that be dangerous for me?”
    “They do, but we’ll figure out a way to keep you disguised.”
    With that decision made, we got on the road.
    After she had finished her food, Jess said, “Okay, so you go first.”
    “For what?”
    “Your life story.”
    “Why, you need something to put you to sleep?”
    “No, I want something to keep my mind off the fact that if they find me, I’m dead. Every minute of every waking hour, that’s on my mind, and I can’t tell you how scared I am. Diversions are very welcome.” Her voice was tinged with a fear-based anger—anger at whoever had ruined her life.
    She had been able to fake a light persona to some extent up until now, which made me forget just how frightening this was for her. I felt a little embarrassed. I think she sensed this and her mood changed.
    “Besides,” she added with a slight smile, “I want to know who you are.”
    A minute went by. She just looked at me expectantly.
    “Okay.” And I