Broken Strings

Head To Toe

“Anything?”

“Just one message,” I gasped. A part of me wanted it to be from my parent’s maybe a message from them would change my mind and I’d go back home and things would be different. I opened the message and my Mother’s number identified itself. I read the message aloud, “Amelia, where are you? Your father has paperwork he needs you to do! If you don’t come home and our family turns bankrupt it will rest on your shoulders. Do the right thing!”

“How is it your fault that your Father can’t switch on a computer himself?”

“It’s not,” for once I decided to stand up for myself, “I’m not going back!”

“Good, I’m worried as to what they will do to you if you do go back,” Peter sighed.

The remainder of the train ride was slightly boring, the town we came to was almost deserted. It was a small country town, something I admire. But it was overly quiet. Not a body nor soul in sight.

“Are we on the right track?” I ask Peter once we exit the train.

“Yeah, I think so. I’ll take a look when we get some place to stay,” I follow him to an old bar. The smell of whiskey and cigarette fills my nose. I’d always liked the smell of a pub.

“Hello, we’d like to rent a room for the night,” I ask. A tall man with wild black hair greets us from behind a desk. This place was definitely an upgrade from the previous hotel which worried me, how much would this cost. I just hope we get to Peter’s Uncle’s house before we run out of money.

“Sure,” the man was attractive with slight stubble on his chin. “What kinda room?” he asked.

“Uh the cheapest,” Peter sighed.

“One bedroom, two beds?” he asked noting that there was two of us, “Or a double bed?”

“Which is cheaper?” I felt almost low class asking these types of questions but I guess that what we are now.

“The double,” the man cringed. I think it was obvious Peter and I weren’t a couple.

Peter looked to me, waiting for assurance. “Go with that,” I mouthed.

“We’ll go with the double bed,” Peter informed him with a genuine smile.

“This way, I’ll show you to your room. Do you want to get your bags?” the man peeped his head around us and peered out the door for a car but he had no such luck.

“This is all we have,” Peter replied with a half-hearted smile.

“Oh, well this way,” we followed the man to room twelve.

“Thank you,” I swung open the door to reveal something nicer than before. The walls were still bare but we had a small fridge and a microwave.

“Are you hungry” Peter asked, “I see your wasting away.”

“No, I’m fine,” I answered. We just don’t have the money to throw it away on dinner.

“You’re not fine, I’m going to see what they have in the restaurant.” I was left in the room alone. I tested the bed and I pulled out my sock of money, counting it all again. Four hundred and thirty seven dollars. It was dwindling quickly.

“Amelia?” Peter began knocking on the door. I was naked and the water from the shower was running steadily over my body. “Amelia are you okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine. Why?” Peter had only just got back from the restaurant, “Did you check the prices?”

“The restaurant is pretty full but it shuts at ten, I have a reservation for us for nine. Will you be ready by then?”

“Yes!” I yelled over the running water.

“Okay, I’ll get ready,” he yelled. “We don’t have much time so I’ll have a shower when we get back! You don’t mind going to dinner with me like this do you?”

He was so considerate, “No Peter, I’m sure I can stand your putrid stench!” even over the shower I could hear him laugh. “I’ll be out in a minute!”

“No hurry!”

I let the shower run for less time than I usually would. I wrapped the towel around me and looked down to my watch sitting on the basin, eight fifty. Crap! I threw on a pair of underwear and bra before slipping on a pair of shorts and realising I’ve forgotten to get a short.

“Peter?” I called his name but there was no answer. “You there?” no answer. I flew open the shower door and raced to where my bag was sitting. I pulled out a shirt and began slipping it over my head.

“Whoa!” Peter’s voice startled me. “Sorry Amelia! I didn’t mean to-” I pulled the shirt down over my body and realised he saw nearly everything.

“It’s okay. I’m descent,” I said and Peter turned back around.

“Uh Lee,” he pointed to my shorts and I realised my fly was down. Ugh. The way he shortened my name was heart racing.

“Sorry about that. Now let’s get on with this date,” I said punching him playfully in the arm.

“Date huh?” he raised his eyebrows and opened the door for me. I picked up my sock and shoved thirty dollars into my pocket. “Call it what you want,” peter chuckled as he followed me out the door.