He made more than a few switchbacks that even he got turned around. The light of day dithered to dusk. I need distance. He kept on the 3, but cut north to the 252. He had his bearings now. Three hours and no sign of being followed. He remembered little of the drive - only the color and makes of cars to make sure none of them were too familiar over time.
West 30. He stopped before entering Malvern on a small stretch of road, lined by trees. The sky had turned purple, but with the lights off, you could see nothing. He stretched out his hands and pulled his seat back. It was quiet enough, he saw no one for twenty minutes. The cicadas were an ever-present buzz. Dark came and Rook passed out.
...
He woke up with a hunger headache. Gas. Food. He had barely enough for both. He topped off at the first chain gas station he could find. They won't care about me, not ask questions. They didn't. He wanted to buy a map but that would be a tip-off. He resisted the urge and took a paper placemat from the Rollo's Diner instead.
After he hit the head, he got right out of the little town he didn't know the name of.
Can't stay in Ohio, Mauro has reach out that this way. He was in league with another boss out this way - he remembered him talking about some play in Athens and in Columbus.
Kentucky. The placemat was a cartoonish estimation of Rollo's locations in the area. Lexington was one. I'll find a town near there...Winchester. Get a job washing dishes, live in the car for a time.
He eventually found the 68, used the rest of his cash but for 7 bucks for gas and lunch. He swung through Lexington, double-backed on the 60 and toward Winchester. In Colby, he stopped the car, pulled the plates and through them in a gully among a pile of floating trash. He checked the car for anything distinguishing, straightened out his clothes and headed into town.
...
Rook found quickly that Winchester had two main strips - N Main and N Maple. He rode down both, nonchalantly, keeping his eyes open for a Help Wanted sign. Folks weren't too interested in him, which was a good sign. If they were, best get out of Dodge.
A little cafe on Broadway needed a dishwasher.
He found an abandoned house near the N Main, parked in a patch of overbrush and hoofed it back to the strip. The town was mostly red brick, two story shops and Pam's Cafe was no exception. He smiled and asked the waitress about the job.
"Well, hon, they're gonna need you right away - you good with that?"
"I just got into town and looking to put down some roots - I can work now if you want."
"Clark?" A chubby bald man came around the corner with a carafe of coffee, he did not look trusting at all. Doesn't matter, just get the gig and I'll work hard. Plus working at a cafe will be a steady supply of leftovers. Rook explained the situation to Clark.
"You ain't trouble are you?"
"No sir - I was working for a spell out in Parkersburg, chain restaurant called Rollo's."
"I know Rollo's."
"They were outfitting the place with new refrigeration units, you know the industrial GE ones from last year's show? Well, they couldn't keep us through the summer while it was under construction, so I figured I'd come out to Kentucky before the winter."
"Change of scenery?"
"I had some distant cousins out this way, living in Lexington, figured I'd try to set some roots here for a while."
"What's their names?"
"The Browns. Harold, Jenny...like I said, they were distant but I don't have any other family."
"Aight then, Rich Brown...going ahead and start work tonight. No funny business because I'm watching."
"Yes, sir."
Rook rolled up his sleeves, put in a six-hour until the Broadway Cafe closed. Washing dishes was soothing, he completely forgot about his cares. The radio station played country, I never really listened to this before. Not bad.
"Good work Rich, we open at 6:00a tomorrow, be here ten minutes before."
"Yes, sir." Clark opened the register and gave him 15.
"You stick around Rich, we can get you some tips as well."
...
Rook went back to the car exhausted. I'll get a room tomorrow. Wash up. Wash my clothes.
The cicadas had followed him, buzzing in the darkness of Kentucky.
...
