The rattling of the garage door echoed throughout the storage area. The door rocked gently back and forth for a moment, then the distant sound of traffic was the dominant noise. Laura black walked forward and reached in to her left. A lone fluorescent bulb flickered on, and it buzzed loudly in the Saturday evening air. Laura looked at her phone’s screen, and watched a blinking light travel northward. She walked further into the storage garage, until she came to the back wall. She flipped open a foot locker and started grabbing the contents, which contained bags of various electronics and several firearms. She opened the back door of the black Jetta and started throwing it all in the back seat. She then flipped open a thin, rectangular box and proceeded to remove more firearms, all of which she found homes for in the car. Finally, she came to one last chest. She flipped it open, started throwing handfuls of clothing into the trunk as well. When she got to the bottom, she stopped. Slowly, she removed the sweatshirt and Capri pants she had hastily put on. She then removed her sandals and proceeded to pull on a black pair of cargo pants, followed by a black tank-top. Next she put on socks and a pair of black, sturdy boots. She closed all the chests and started putting her hair into a pony tail as she got in the car and turned the key. The Jetta rolled out of the garage, and she put it in park. She then reached into a bag in the front seat, and pulled out a box with a slim plastic wand hanging off the side. She slid the box inside, and then closed the door on the wand. She heard an audible click, and soon Laura was back in the Jetta, She plugged her phone into the car charger, then left it open. She started driving north towards the flashing dot on the display. “Soon Jebediah…soon” she muttered as she weaved into traffic.
***
Michelle slowly walked to the booth. Phil had sat back down, and Bob was just getting up. Michelle used the opportunity to sit across from Phil, leaving Bob with a decision of where to sit. The look on Michelle’s face was enough to make his mind up for him, as he squeezed in next to Phil. Their waitress, Abbie, soon came over.
“Is everything alright?”
“Yes…we’re fine, thanks. Just had a breathing mishap.” Bob forced a smile as Abbie smiled back. Abbie turned to Michelle with a quizzical look.
“Are you sitting here now ma’am?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure if I’ll be getting anything.”
“Okay…well…I’ll come back.” Abbie could feel the tension, and decided to vacate quickly. Bob envied her for that.
“So…you’re looking good.” Phil’s posture was rigid and stiff, like a teen on his first date.
“You’re looking pretty well yourself.”
“I mean, I just can’t believe I’d run into you here.”
“Yes…well…really? Like you didn’t know where I was living.”
Bob gritted his teeth and braced himself.
“Okay, okay. You’re right. I did know.”
“But you didn’t even reply or acknowledge it.”
“I didn’t think you’d know.”
“Didn’t think I’d know? Are you really that thick?”
Bob squirmed uncomfortably, with a secret that was slowly clawing its way out of his chest.
