I have no idea.
I find myself in the ticket line inching closer to the front as I try to figure it out. When I get to the front the lady asks, “How can I help you?”
I rub my neck. “I’m not sure.”
She laughs.
“I’m sorry. I should just go.”
“Or you could buy a ticket to anywhere. Sometimes going somewhere is better than going nowhere.”
I nod. “Where do you think I should go?”
She thinks for a second. “Well Florida is nice this time or year. Same with California. We have cheap flights to Las Vegas and Houston going on right now. I always like NYC.”
“Wait…What did you just say?”
“I always like NYC.”
“No, before that.”
“We have cheap flights right now to Houston and Vegas.”
I smile. Vegas.
My phone buzzes and I see that it is from my assistant. I answer.
“Yes.”
“She’s here. In Vegas,” she says.
I smile. “I know. I’ll be right there.”
I end the call.
“I’m going to Vegas.”
24
Olive
One Week Earlier
* * *
I have three thousand dollars in my savings account. That’s it. That’s everything I have to survive on before I run out of money and end up back on the streets again.
I don’t have a specific plan, other than I need to get the hell out of Chicago. And I’m going to find some way to make money along the way, hopefully with something that involves the only thing I’ve ever really loved doing. Baking.
I sold everything that I could from my apartment, and everything I own is in a single suitcase. I’m doing this on my own. I didn’t even bring Milo with me. Keri is watching him until I get settled somewhere.
I walk up to the airport counter, having no clue where I’m going.
“Hi. May I help you?” the woman says from behind the counter.
“Um…yes. I would like one ticket, please.”
“To where?”