GLORIA

Maybe it was the dark or the drumming rain, exhaustion or stress or simply advanced age. Or perhaps the soporific delight of a cat sleeping against her chest combined with the motion of the car. Whatever the reason, the old woman had slipped into a deep sleep in the back of Gloria’s station wagon. Her mouth hung half-open in that terribly vulnerable way that always reminded Gloria of her father in his last days.

She didn’t know where it was safe to go. Safe for her and for Iris. She didn’t like feeling responsible for the woman, especially with the cops looking for her. Most days Gloria felt she could barely take care of herself. But she had to admit to a small bit of gratitude that she wasn’t alone. Even this meager portion of human company was welcome. Even company that had danger attached. Even for just a few hours. Iris showing up made Gloria aware of how deeply lonely she was. Despite the added danger, Gloria liked feeling like she was taking care of someone again, someone who needed her.

But those feelings didn’t point her in a direction or a destination. Gas wasn’t cheap, and she couldn’t drive forever. With the old woman in the car, she didn’t feel comfortable going to either of the makeshift campsites in town where the homeless congregated. Someone might recognize Iris—her photo would be on television and the internet soon if it weren’t already—and turn her in for the reward, or because a cop might be more forgiving the next time a panhandling regulation or town ordinance was breached.

“How long did I sleep?” Iris asked from the back of the wagon.

“Maybe an hour. How do you feel?”

“Better. Where are we?”

“Just driving around,” Gloria said. “We couldn’t stay there. Too many cops out searching for you. Now that it’s dark, they’ll search harder.”

“I’m sorry,” Iris said. “I’ve put you at risk, dear. I just don’t know what else to do.”

“Is there any place you can go, any family or friends?”

“No.” Iris was silent for a moment. “I’m hungry. Can we get some food? I can pay for it.”

Twenty minutes later they were parked in the McDonald’s lot devouring burgers and fries, licking salt off their fingers and slurping thick milkshakes.

“Would you believe I’ve never eaten at McDonald’s before?” Iris said. “This stuff is good!”

Gloria laughed. “I’m honored to be the one to introduce you to delicious junk food. But seriously, where can I take you? Do you have family, other than your husband?”

“My daughter Lexi,” Iris said. “I know that she would help me, but right now she’ll be with her father and the police, helping in the search. I don’t know how to contact her without them knowing.”

Gloria poured a small amount of milkshake into Canary’s bowl. The cat sniffed it and stepped away. Gloria laughed and scratched under the cat’s chin. “Too sweet for you?”

“Oh.” Gloria looked at Iris. “What about your cell phone? Is it with you?”

Iris grinned. “I left it at home. I’ve watched those cop shows on TV. That’s how they locate people, by pinging their phones. I figured I could find a phone booth if I needed one. Which I don’t think I will.”

“I have a friend in cohousing who lets me use her shower and guest room for a night now and then. We could go there and figure out what’s next in the morning.”

Iris sniffled. “Thank you, dear. You’ve saved my life.”

“You’re not safe yet,” Gloria said.

Iris didn’t answer. Gloria felt bad and talked to fill up the silence. “Someone once told me that the best place to hide is in plain sight, where no one would think to look for you because it’s so obvious. In your case, that might be back on Azalea Court. Is there someone there, a neighbor who you trust to let you stay with them?”

“Not really,” Iris said. “Eric is a sweet young man, but I’m sure he feels closer to my husband than to me. And his wife, well, I don’t think Bea would go out of her way for anyone. Probably the best bet would be Evelyn. She’s a nurse, and she cares about me. But asking her for help feels too risky. I’m afraid she’s not so good at keeping secrets.”

Gloria moved the wrappers from her lap so the cat could curl up. “I guess as a last resort we could get into the basement of the Haskell Building on the old state hospital grounds. There are state offices there now, but they rarely use the basement. It’s full of old furniture and stuff. Maybe we could make you a hiding place down there.”

Iris didn’t answer. Gloria saw tears snaking down her cheeks.

“What is it?”

“Nothing, dear. It’s just that it would be ironic for me to hide in a state hospital building. That place and its ghosts are the reason I’m in this awful mess.”