me off, like that!” Sam fumed as she pulled the ‘student driver ’car out of the parking lot.
Jane frowned, “Seriously? After years of him trying to suck up to you? Then you finally reach out and he responds with rejection?”
Samantha’s hands clenched the steering wheel tight. “He’s a total dick. I’ve told my mom a hundred times I don’t know what she sees in him,” she huffed as she drove a few miles over the speed limit. “And now he gets in trouble for fucking his coworker or something? It’s disgusting. I don’t understand why she puts up with it.”
“Why do you?” Jane countered.
“I’m done with it, this whole place.”
“I mean from what you’ve told me about your stepfather, it seems like his whole good guy act is bogus.”
“Trust me, it is.”
They sat in silence as Jane carefully watched her student. She could tell Samantha was contemplating her future. What life would be like now that Dave was considered a villain—if she’d learned anything about the teen over the last month, it was that she couldn’t stand to be associated with injustice. She also knew that Sam hated Repo Ridge and all the suburban bullshit that came along with it.
“Do you ever think about leaving?” Jane finally asked.
Sam’s eyes lit up, “It’s like you can read my mind. Alex and I have been talking about it, considering it...” she trailed off as she took a right hand turn past Repo Pizza.
“He’s an artist, right?”
Sam nodded.
“I have a friend in Manhattan I could put him in contact with...he’s been looking for new talent. I mean, that’s only if you want to live in a city,” Jane chanced a glance at Sam—her features lit up with pure excitement. What young woman wouldn’t want to move to New York City?
“That would be amazing,” her face slightly fell. “but I don’t get my inheritance for another year or so...we couldn’t afford it right now.”
“I have a place there, it’s not much at all, really small—in the East Village. It’s been in the family for years...I usually rent it out but if you want it, it’s yours.”
Sam slammed on the brakes, realizing she was about to run a stop sign.
“Eyes on the road!”
Samantha immediately returned her attention to the street, checking both ways before she continued on. “You’re not serious,” she insisted.
“Dead.”
“I will pay you back as soon as I get a job—“
“That’s not necessary...the apartment used to belong to my sister. I know she would want you to be there.”
A sad look crossed Sam’s face as she nodded, “She was so lucky to have a sister like you, Ellie—I wish I did.”
Jane smiled. “If I can help a young person out of a bad situation, then I will. I know you have a bright future ahead of you, Sam. But I don’t think it’s here.”
“Neither do I.”
Jane directed her attention towards the checklist in front of her, a feeling of hope mounting in her chest. She would save this girl the way someone should have saved her.
“Our two hours are almost up, you just need to drive back to the lot and parallel park.”
Samantha did what was required—she hastily killed the engine and turned to look expectantly at her driver instructor. “Did I pass?”
“With flying colors.”
“I can’t wait to tell Alex the news!” Sam clapped her hands together in glee and then once more focused her attention on Jane quite seriously. “And you’re sure? About New York?”
Jane knew it seemed too good to be true—but unlike most people, Jane was selfless when it came to rescuing those who were trapped with imposters like Dave.
“I’ll email you all of the information, but only if you promise to keep me posted on your progress,” she joked with a slight smile.
Samantha reached across the seat and pulled her in for a huge hug. “You are the greatest human being alive.”
Jane felt her throat clog with emotion—she missed her sister Elizabeth so damn much in moments like these. She cleared her throat and squeezed back, “It’s nothing. I’m just happy to help you out.” Of here, and away from him, she finished in her head.