Nancy Hope

The Culvers restaurant’s deep blue and white canvas was painted in her head from memory and she saw it there before she saw it sprout from around the turn.

“Alrighty,” her dad said slowly and loud, “Get whatever you want we’re not stopping though, drive-through.”

“I need to pee,” Carla said without opening her eyes.

“We’ll ask for an extra cup, her father replied with a negligent tone.  The old Nancy might have laughed at that except the new Nancy forgot what laughing was like.  The joke tasted bitter because of that.  Her mom hit him then he parked the car.  Nancy was certain she wasn’t going to cry again so she got out and went in.  Her face felt like stone and the skin on it felt tempered as it adjusted to the warm that burst at her from the first set of doors. 

The ability to order food was a skill she yet retained and tried to order a burger.  But when the cashier couldn’t hear her he said, “What did you say, come on.” Then she was outside breathing heavily and not crying.  The sky was bright and the air was fresh.  She was grateful for the weather.  It gave her nothing to be sad for or pain to feel.  Sara handed her a bag of food and gave her a big hug.  Then so did Carla, her sister.  Neither knew the true identity of her fiancé.  Her dad maintained his cautious compassion as he did when he first heard about Grant and gave her a sideways hug.  Her mom went back to the driver’s seat without a word. Maybe she is concerned for me, Nancy thought, but she won’t have to anymore.  She breathed deep into the cool fall wind and returned to the car.

The rest of the drive went easier.  They talked about neighborhood rumors.  Josh and Crystal got back together Carla told her, “It was a common cause thing.  Crystal was a bitch who was glad you stopped humping her boyfriend.  And Josh took her back because, well, he’s Josh.” The passengers in the back laughed, Carla most of all.  While Nancy felt her dad wince like he did her mom looked back warily at Carla.  She remembered scheming to get Josh and Crystal back together, trying to play on Crystal’s pride and jealousy.  She also tried to spur Josh into a new way.  Maybe it worked out because of her, she mused.  But that seemed so far away now, the old Nancy.  In between the peaceful silences of the remainder of the car ride, Nancy schemed again.

Soon they would be at her grandma’s but for now she schemed for her and Seamus.  It might have been for her and what she told him about Baxton that he got shot.  Seamus Grant had been a politician from her home country who came to investigate Baxton's murder on Newtopia's behalf.  Inevitably he spoke to her since she was an intern-accountant with Baxton's office.  Seamus was first a source of terror and then comfort as they met more often first to discuss the investigation but then later... Somewhere between her fear, anxiety, and the general energizing thrill Spain sent up and into her spirit she fell in love with him.  She would make her way back to Spain, the way she came only months ago.  She would cross to the south with Sumeet and the Muslims.  Then she would get in touch with Marco and Tanish to see if they could get her to Italy.  And with any luck be in Crete in two weeks.  But first she had to ask her grandma to help her leave Newtopia, break several laws, and most of to lie to her parents.