My phone vibrated continuously. It was Friday afternoon, which meant I would usually be looking for a party and a girl for the evening. Every time I saw it wasn’t Autumn saying she’d changed her mind, I got annoyed. I decided to turn it off. I would change her mind tomorrow.
Seven
I woke early this morning to get everything done before Josie woke up. I didn’t want her to tag along. I changed my clothes and stuffed a large wad of cash into my purse before leaving. My first stop was to get a new cell phone and sign up for my own plan. I was starting to feel independent. For the first time since I left, I felt like I could make it completely on my own.
As soon as I left the store, I searched nearby used car lots. “Lemons Aide” was the closest, within walking distance, so I took off in that direction. Within thirty minutes, I found the car that would get me through college and bought it immediately.
“She’s all yours.”
I grabbed the keys as he tossed them into my hand. My 2010 Nissan Altima with over 80,000 miles on it would get me where I needed to be while in college. I turned my head, inspecting it. It wasn’t that bad. The pearl white paint was spotless, and the rims gleamed as if they were brand new. If I was being honest, I was damn proud of it.
If they were still alive, you wouldn’t have any of this. I shook my head before the tears fell. For whatever reason, this was the hand I was dealt.
My car salesman, Chip, was grinning at me. His bald head reflected the sunlight and sweat beaded his face. This was not the most trusted establishment in Seattle, but Chip didn’t ask any questions when I paid cash for my new ride.
“Thanks again,” I said, offering a tight smile before I got into my new car.
Before leaving the lot, I typed in the address to a bank near campus. Luckily, the lobby was still open. I parked my car, staring at it before walking in. I only grabbed a small amount of cash to open an account. It was mine legally, but I don’t like people knowing anything about my past.
“Can I help you?” I looked over, finding a plump lady with gray hair smiling behind a desk.
“I need to open an account,” I said.
“Come over, dear. I can take care of that.”
Her affection made my heart flutter. I’d never had a grandmother figure in my life. When I worked at the café, I had a few regulars who spoke to me as if I were their own. I craved their words. I sat down in front of her, waiting for instructions. I twirled my red hair as she dug through her desk.
“Checking or savings?” she asked, rummaging through her drawer.
“Both,” I said. Two accounts were harder to keep tabs on than one.
“Okay, I just need your social security card and driver’s license. You can fill out this form while I make copies,” she said, smiling at me. She slid over papers and a pen, waiting for me. I grabbed my purse, finding my wallet that only held my personal information, then I gave her what she had asked for. She disappeared into the back while I finished the paperwork. When she came back, I was finished, and she handed me my cards.
“Are you depositing a check or cash?” she asked.
“Cash,” I said. Exhaling a long, shaky breath, I put the money I brought with me on her desk. Her eyes went wide, but she quickly composed herself. If she only knew that wasn’t anywhere near what I had. “Can you put half in savings and half in checking?”
“Of course, dear. Let me hand this to a teller,” she said, pointing behind her. She walked to the back, handing the money to another lady. When she came back, she handed me a folder.
“Patricia is handling your deposit. The folder has all your account information and my number in it. It also has your debit card and a temporary checkbook until your new one arrives.”
Patricia walked over and handed me two receipts. I looked at them, seeing that she had distributed the amount I asked, and smiled at her.
“Is there anything else I can do for you?” she asked.
“No ma’am, I think that’s everything,” I said.
“My card’s in your folder, so call if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” I said sincerely. Everyone had been so helpful today. My hope in humanity had been restored. I grabbed my purse and folder before leaving. When I arrived on campus, I found a parking garage that was full of cars. It was the closest to my dorm. Josie was furiously digging through her closet as I came inside. I dropped my bag onto my bed and slid my folder into one of the drawers in my desk.
“Where have you been?” she asked. Her digging ceased.
“I picked up a phone and a car,” I said, shrugging like it was no big deal. Three hours ago, I almost hyperventilated over my purchases, but I knew they were necessary. I couldn’t hide away on campus forever.
“What did you get?” she asked, intrigued.
“A used Altima.”
“You just went out and bought a car on your own?” she asked, watching me intently. I hated that she knew I had secrets. She was the definition of a frenemy, but there was something about her that made me want to get along with her. A “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer” kind of thing.
“I told you I saved up some money before I came, and I got a job yesterday. So yeah, I can afford to buy a lemon,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Your parents wouldn’t let you drive yours up here?”
“It’s a long drive.”
“Oh, right…Texas. I keep forgetting,” she said. She
