We became fast friends, deciding to go on the run together. We learned through trial and error how to stay under the radar. We would only stay in places that took cash and fake names and only worked under the table type jobs. After a while, we realized that the big cities were easier to hide in, with lots of crappy places to stay that didn’t mind turning a blind eye for a bit of cash.
But it didn’t take long for me to realize that Alanna had more problems than just an abusive husband after her. She was addicted to pain-killers as well. I found her in our motel room one night passed out with the empty bottles surrounding her. She was unresponsive, and I had to take a big risk by taking her to the hospital. I gave the hospital a fake name and paid in cash for the visit. Luckily Alanna pulled through, but everything changed after that night.
I had to give her an ultimatum. If she wanted to stick together, she had to give up the drugs, and we could have no secrets between us. She pleaded with me to stay with her, and I did. For the next month, we stayed locked up in a cheap motel room while she detoxed. I was there for her every step of the way. And during that time, our friendship changed. From that day on, we became more like sisters.
I glance at the woman sitting across from me now and smile. I would have never believed that the vibrant, beautiful, bubbly creature that she is would have ever been depressed in her life. Or taken any kind of shit from a man. She’s a changed woman now, and I couldn’t be prouder of how far she’s come.
She clears her throat and smirks at me. “What are you smiling about over there in la-la land? You’ve been out of it for like five minutes!”
I grin, and grab her hand, squeezing it reassuringly.
“Just something you said. I was thinking about the early days of us on the run together. How did I ever get so lucky to meet you?”
She leans in and hugs me tight. “Are you kidding me, Toto? I’m the lucky one. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. Literally a blessing from heaven above. You saved my life, and I can’t imagine being without you either.”
“Remember how stupid we were back then?” I laugh. “Trying to hide in small towns and trying to come up with fake names all the time. It was so much harder when we had no idea what we were doing. We are like pros now.”
She bursts out laughing right along with me. “Yeah, we were pretty dumb back then.”
We sit back on the couch and relax for a minute before she changes the subject back. I knew it was only a matter of time.
“Seriously Toto, you and I have been through so much together. You can tell me anything, and I will never ever judge you or make you feel bad for it. I am so not that person, you should know that.”
I nod and clasp my hands nervously in my lap. “I know.”
“So, please will you tell me what happened with you and Gabriel today?” she asks.
“Yes, Alanna.” I sigh. “But you should know this is really awkward for me. You know how I get when I try to talk about sex.”
“Okay.” She scrunches her face, trying her best to suppress her smile.
“So Gabriel has a little bit of a kinky side.”
Her eyes widen with sudden interest. “Well, honestly, I’d be kind of surprised if he didn’t. He’s rich, and those people are notorious for being kinky bastards. So what exactly is he into?”
“Um….” I shift nervously in my seat. “Well, he likes to… uh… dominate, I guess.” I whisper as if that will somehow compensate for the embarrassment.
Alanna shakes violently with laughter and slaps her hand on her thigh for good measure. I scowl at her. After her minute-long fit of uproarious laughter, she breathes a huge sigh of relief. “Is that all? So he told you he wants to dominate you?”
“Yes!” I state firmly, panic flashing across my face. “And I actually let him.”
“You had me thinking the worst. So you actually tried it? Did you like it?” As soon as the words are out of her mouth, her brow furrows with new realization. “Oh…. geez I am such an idiot. I didn’t even think. Of course, it would be scary for you, babe. I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
“No, no, it’s okay. I’m okay. He didn’t hurt me, and I wasn’t scared at all. To my surprise, I actually… um, kind of liked it.”
“Well, I am so relieved.” She smiles softly. “But did you kind of like it, or did you really like it? Because right now your face is bright red.”
“Okay, maybe I liked it a lot,” I say sheepishly. “But I don’t know if I want to keep doing this. He is so weird. One minute he’s all hot and sweet, and the next he’s ice cold. I felt weird just leaving afterwards.”
“Well, I hate to point out the obvious, but that’s how casual sex goes. You don’t really stick around.”
“I know,” I groan. “I just… I don’t know.”
“Well, has he treated you badly?” Alanna asks, concern etching her face.