The Road to Everywhere
The road flew by out the window, streets and cars turning into green pastures and mountains in the distance. Ella loved the feel of Rome’s hand in hers and the thump of the bass from the song playing on the radio. It was so hard to believe she was running off to Las Vegas to get married, but she was smiling so wide, her face hurt. It would be impossible for her father to make her marry that guy from Paris if she was already married to Rome. Hopefully, her dad would see how serious she was about the fact that she loved him and would accept him into the family, despite his last name.
“What did Tim say?” Rome asked, his thumb rubbing the back of her hand softly.
“He just asked me why I didn’t come to him. I told him I had no time. I needed to get out of there. I told him I was afraid Dad would know where I was, so I was thinking about staying in a hotel for a few days. He said I could stay with him, but I said I didn’t trust my dad not to go there. I’m sure he will when he can’t find me at my apartment--assuming you’re right and he knows where to look.”
“I asked a neighbor to keep an eye out for him.” Something about the way Rome said that had Ella raising an eyebrow. “Okay--she’s not just a neighbor. It’s this blonde who’s asked me out a few times. But I’ve never shown any interest in her. Anyway, I figured I could use her interest to our advantage.”
“Rome! That’s awful.”
“I know. But I did what I had to do.”
She tried not to make a face at him. He was just trying to help.
“That reminds me. I need to call Bart and let him know what’s happening because she thinks she has my number. She really has his.” He dug his phone out of his pocket, and when he called, it was over speaker phone, which made Ella uncomfortable, but it was the safest option. They were out of the city now, but it still wasn’t safe to call and drive at the same time.
“Hey, Bart, do me a favor. If a girl named Bridgette calls or texts you about some federal agents, pretend you’re me, and just be thankful, okay?”
“Uh… who is this?” a male voice said over the car speakers.
“Ha ha, very funny. Just do it, all right?”
“Where the hell are you, man? We haven’t heard from you in days.”
“That’s not true. It hasn’t been that long. I’ve been busy. Say hi to Ella.”
“What? Am I on speaker phone?
“Yep. We’re in the car. Say hi.”
“Hi… Ella.”
“Hi, Bart.” She couldn’t help but laugh. He seemed nice, and friendly, but lost. She couldn’t blame him.
“Listen, I’m not going to tell you where we’re going because I don’t want anyone to try to get it out of you, but we’re not going to be around for a few days. Just keep it on the downlow, okay? I’ll fill you in as soon as I can.”
“Okay. Are there really people looking for you, though?”
“Not me,” Rome replied.
“My dad,” Ella volunteered.
“Oh. I see. I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Bart asked, as if he had some idea what the story was. She imagined he must, that Rome must’ve told him at least a little bit about what was going on.
“I am. Thanks for asking.”
“Sure. Well, I can’t wait to meet you in person. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Thanks, Bart. I look forward to meeting you, too.” She had also heard about him--and Rome’s friend Mark. They both seemed nice, but Bart seemed like a nicer guy than Mark who came across as pretty stuck on himself from the stories Rome had told her.
“We gotta go, buddy. Thanks for your help.”
“No problem. Be careful.” Bart hung up, and Rome took a deep breath before he made sure his phone was off and took Ella’s hand in his.
“Are you okay?” he asked her.
She hoped her smile was enough to confirm for him that she was. “Yeah. I’ve never been to Vegas before. Is it as beautiful in person as it is on TV?”
“Even more so,” Rome replied with a broad smile. “I can’t wait for you to see all of the lights.”
Ella couldn’t wait either, but she was looking forward most of all to making Rome her husband.
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