ere it was. Gunslinger , the same gas station I had stopped at ten days prior. It was still Ope, not Open. I pulled the truck up to the side of the pump and got out of the vehicle. Once again, I was the only customer—nothing in both directions for miles and miles. I already knew it was cash only, so I started across the parking lot. I tied my long brown hair back into a low ponytail and entered the station. e door squeaked as I pulled it open. at same fan buzzed in the corner, oscillating the smell of beef jerky and gasoline throughout. e man with the lazy eye stood at the counter. I could tell he recognized me right away because he raised his brows, deepening the lines across his forehead.
“Back again, I see.” e words came out slow. I nodded. “Can I get eighty on pump one?”
He punched a couple of keys on his register and grabbed the four twenties I held out, placing them in the drawer.
“I like the hair.” He smiled.
I was surprised he had even noticed the change. I must have been the only customer he’s had in the last ten days.
“ anks.” I nodded, turning toward the door. “Avery,” he called out.
e word made me freeze instantly, stopping me dead in my tracks. I swallowed hard and tightened my jaw. I couldn’t have heard that right.
“What was that?” I turned back toward him. Calvin must have knocked
something loose in my head because that wasn’t possible.
e old man twisted his wiry beard. “Avery Adams.” My shoulders tensed, and I took a deep breath.
He slid out a drawer underneath the register and ipped through a stack of papers. e old man held out his hand, extending a driver’s license. “You dropped it when you were in here. Tried to tell ya, but you sped o like a bat out of hell, so I’ve just been holding it for you. In case you came back.” He smiled, revealing cracked yellow teeth.
I closed the distance, retrieving the ID from him. “ ank you.” I smiled. “I
appreciate it.”
“Of course. Safe travels,” he said with a wave of his hand.
