Thank God. I'm relieved because I don't want to do this alone, and Sierra is my best friend. I pull a box of saltines down from the cabinet. Nibbling on one, I eat slowly to determine my stomach's reaction. I still feel okay, so I let my mind wander. If Sierra comes with me, we can leave sooner. Splitting the cost of gas and a place to live will help out with finances. I have a hefty savings account in place after the last time I left Tattoo Junkie knowing I might do it again.
A couple crackers in, I'm brave enough to try something for my headache. I text Sierra.
"Coffee?"
I snort, thinking maybe I'll get a bear claw.
"BRT"
The pink light of dawn filters in through the window. Sierra must be pretty freaked out if she's awake and on her way over. Knowing how she'll drive me crazy with her fidgeting, I'm going to suggest a walk on the beach while we talk. I'm in my room changing when Sierra knocks.
"Coming!" My headache is still in full force, and I wince.
Sierra breezes in when I open the door. "You look like hell."
"Feel like it too. You were supposed to stop me."
Plopping down on the couch with a poof she says, "I tried, but you wouldn't have anything to do with it. You were flirting with some guy who kept buying your drinks. Until you said something that made him drop you like a hot potato."
I close my eyes as a flush creeps over my cheeks as I recall the look of horror on his face. I fall into a chair across from her. "I told him I was into bears."
Sierra chuckles. "That would do it." She sobers. "Does that mean you dream about screwing them too?"
"Kind of. I'm all worked up over a guy, but a bear is in the dream too.”
Sierra taps a fingernail against her bottom lip. "It's a message." She rubs the tattoo on her breast. "This was pulsing like a second clit or something. My guy that was suddenly a bear licked it, and I think I might have come in my dream."
"Yes, and--" My face heats up again. "Um, does it feel good when you touch it?"
Sierra's eyes widen, and she nods. Her leg is jiggling.
"Let me grab my sneakers and let's go."
A half hour later an ocean breeze is blowing my hair into my face, and gritty sand is exfoliating my feet. Headache gone, I'm reveling in the sweet fried flavor of a doughnut which seems to taste better than usual.
Sierra swallows down a bite of her cinnamon roll. "So what's your plan?"
"I feel like I'm supposed to move to the mountains, so I think I'll drive to the Rockies and check out tattoo shops in the Vail area. I'd love for you to come with me."
A wave swims around Sierra's feet, and her steps splash cold March water on my legs. She says, "I think we're supposed to go to the mountains too. The Rockies sound like a good place to start."
"I have about three months’ worth of money saved. You?" I sip my coffee, and its bitter flavor chases the sweetness out of my mouth.
"Not that much, but if we take your car I can sell mine."
"That works." Since my father died I don't have any family to speak of. I know Sierra isn't close to her mom, but I wonder what she might be leaving behind. "Do you think you can be ready to go in a couple weeks?"
She stops walking, and I turn to her widened eyes. She asks, "Can't we go sooner? Something's telling me it needs to be now, you know?"
I do. "Okay, I guess we're quitting today." A smile forms on my face.
"I guess we are." Sierra breaks into a huge grin. "And you know what? I'm looking forward to Ray's reaction. That guy's such an asshat."
Satisfaction floods my mind. I chuckle back. "Me too."
6
Chapter 6
Carly
Day two of our drive, and I’m even more exhausted than before we left. My dreams are so intense I’m beginning to feel as if they’re real. I even thought I saw my dream guy at the last rest stop.
I now know more about Sierra than anyone should. She probably thinks the same about me. Both of us were raised as an only child, and our stories are quite similar. I grew up without a mom, and she didn't have a dad. I'm beginning to love her like a sister.
Sierra's soft snoring is keeping time with the broken white lines blinking by as I cruise down I-70. As if a magnet is pulling us, our direction feels right, and the tug is stronger the closer we get. Still no clue about our purpose, the unknown is a mix of excitement and fear for me.
A glance at the dash, which tells me we need to stop for gas soon. When we do I'll Google where to stay tonight. Determined to make the most of my looks, Sierra is in the process of giving me a makeover. I twirl a burgundy red strand of hair around my finger and catch the color in my peripheral vision. Even though I never imagined myself with this shade, my tresses do make my blue eyes look more vibrant.
Just over the Colorado border a rest area is a few miles ahead, and I decide that's where I'll stop. Sierra wakes when I pull off the interstate. Stretching her arms above her head, she says, "Are we in Colorado yet?"
"We are. Ready to drive?" I yawn and cut the engine when we're by the pumps. The odor of gasoline pricks my memory, and I recall the pungent musk of my dream. I shake my head to clear my thoughts.
"Sure, it's my turn to fill up." She gets out and pulls a debit card from her back pocket.
Chilly air blows around us, and I shove my hands in my pockets. "I'm going to go pee. Want anything?" I'm craving something salty and a cola.