Chapter Four

The room lit up with a bright flash of lightening, and thunder rattled the windowpane. Rain drops tapped on the window lightly at first, and then drummed on the roof angrily. The windows in the car would be broken, and everything would get soaked. The car was a loss anyway, but her purse and clothes would be ruined.

She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. The money would dry, and her clothes could be washed. The cheap vinyl cover of the purse would be watertight, protecting her cell phone - if it wasn't ruined in the crash. The car would be replaced by the insurance that was meant to replace her parents' car. At this point the loss of her car was more an inconvenience than anything else. Still, it was her first car and one with memories packed into it.

As soon as she retrieved her purse and clothes, she could call Connie to come get her. Directing Connie to the house would be difficult, but Lisa could wait at the end of the drive. Maybe Sarah or Giddon would take her to the little country store where the dirt road joined the highway.

Gradually the storm passed and she slept without dreaming. The next morning she woke to the first ray of light through the window. She dressed hurriedly in the clothes Sarah had loaned her and ran fingers through her hair, wishing she had a comb. Finally she achieved some semblance of order and left the room.