“‘You best leave my man alone,’” I read softly, not wanting to share my business with everyone. I looked up at Chase. “This is crazy,” I exclaimed, trying to keep my voice down. “That Aisha chick has been driving me nuts. Last weekend, she slashed my tires. Now this. I don't know why she thinks I'm still seeing Devyn.”
Even though I kept my voice soft, I couldn't stop my body from trembling with anger and frustration.
“Calm down,” Chase said, trying to pull me into his arms. “It's okay.”
“No, it's not!” I shouted, shaking his arms from me.
Chase grabbed my shoulders. “Let's go inside.” He turned to the crowd around us. “She's all right, y'all. Everything's cool.”
“This is far from cool,” I yelled, finally and completely losing control.
I passed by the men and women, some eyeing me with curiosity, some shaking their heads with pity. As Chase and I walked back toward his apartment, the crowd began to disperse, the night's drama over—at least for them.
But just as we got to Chase's front door, I turned back to the people who were still standing around.
“Did anybody see who threw this?” I asked.
There were a few mumbled noes, though most people kept silent.
I looked through the faces in the crowd. “Surely somebody saw somethin'.”
“Zoe, we don't need to get anyone else involved. Let's just go inside and call the police.” Chase almost had to push me into the apartment.
“Yeah, right. Like the police are gonna do anything. I couldn't even get through the last time I called them. No, I've got to handle this. I know where she lives.”
“How can you be sure Aisha did this or slashed your tires?” he asked as I paced in the living room.
“She came over here the day my tires got cut. She said some crazy things. Obviously Devyn is cheating on her and lying to her. He told her that I still wanted him, and we both know that's not true.” I paused, trying to hold back my tears. I didn't want Aisha to win. “I can't take this, Chase. I'm afraid she's gonna do something to me, not just my stuff. I don't feel safe.”
“That's why we have to file a report.”
“Whatever,” I said, continuing my pacing. “But it's not gonna do a bit of good.”
Chase picked up the phone, then hesitated before he dropped the receiver back into the cradle. “Listen, I've got an idea.” He paused as if his thoughts had not completely formed in his mind. “Why don't you come with me to Seattle? In fact, why don't we leave tonight?”
I stared at him for a moment. “What?” Surely I couldn't have heard right.
“I don't want to leave you here.” He began making his argument, waving his hands in the air. “You're still dealing with your grief about the breakup, and now you got this crazy girl scaring you with her stupid stuff. The lease on this place runs out soon, and you haven't found a job or an apartment yet.”
“That's true, but I figured I'd just move in with my mother for a while.”
“Come on, Zoe. I know you don't want to do that. Think about it. This is a great solution for both of us. Other than the guys on the team, I don't know anybody in Seattle. It'd be nice to come home to a friend every day. Besides, I can keep my eye on you and make sure you don't retaliate against that crazy Aisha.”
I laughed, but it was to hide my confusion. Could I really consider his suggestion? He sounded serious.
“It's not like you got a job here.” He was continuing his case. “You can find work out there.”
“But I don't have…”
“Any money?” he said, finishing my sentence for me.
I nodded.
“I get my first check next week. We can stay in hotel rooms until we get settled in.”
“I can't just up and go,” I argued.
“Why not?”
That was really the same question I was asking myself. I could think of no rational reason to turn down his generous offer. I had no ties to Miami. My mother and brother could manage without me—that was obvious. I hadn't seen them in weeks.
But Seattle, Washington? What on earth would I do there? Then the other side of my brain asked a good question:
What will I do if I stay in Miami?
Chase picked up on my hesitation. “No matter what you do, you're not going to be able to come up with a good reason not to go with me. So, that's it. We're going to Seattle tonight.” He nodded his head strongly, the decision made. “I still want to file the police report, but after we do that, we'll go straight to the airport, purchase your ticket and get on the plane.”
“I can't pay for my flight.” It was the only argument I could come up with, even though I knew it sounded weak.
“Put it on your credit card. When I get my check, I'll pay for it.”
“How do you know there's a flight tonight? You weren't going to leave until the morning.”
Chase sighed as if he couldn't believe my weak questions. “I know the schedule from Miami to Seattle. There's a late flight.” He looked at his watch. “If you stop arguing with me, we'll make it in plenty of time.”
I looked in his eyes, searching for a clue that he didn't really want to do this. “Are you sure about all of this?”
He ran his fingers across my chin. “I want you with me,” he said softly. “I want to make sure you're safe, and I want to protect you. Is that okay with you?”
It took a moment for my smile to lighten my face. “Yeah.” I got up on my tippy-toes and hugged him tight.
But he broke our embrace a moment later. “Girl, you'd better get packing, and I still have a few things to put together too.”
I ran into the bedroom as Chase went into his. I gathered my clothes from the closet, not stopping to fold or put anything in order. I only had a few pieces that would work for the cold place. I'd buy stuff as I needed it.
Seattle!
I grinned at the thought. Then I picked up the telephone and called my brother.
“I'm going to Seattle!” I screamed into the phone the moment my brother answered.
“What are you talking about?”
I explained it all to him—Chase's job with the team and his offer for me to go with him. “So, we're leaving tonight. Right now actually.”
“Wow! What are you gonna tell Mom?” Alonzo asked. “She's gonna flip, you know.”
“I figure I'll call her after I'm settled. That way she can't stop me.”
“She'll still lecture you.” My brother chuckled.
“Yeah, but better then than now. I'm really not in the mood for it, you know?”
“I hear ya!”
“Hey, come pick up my car, will you? You still have the keys, right?”
“Sure.”
“And don't freak out when you see the passenger-side window busted out.”
“What?” Alonzo shrieked.
“Long story!”
“Whatever. Maybe it is good that you're going to Seattle.”
“You have no idea.”
“I gotcha.”
“Thanks, Alonzo. I really appreciate this. Just fix the window for me please. I'll call you soon, 'cause Chase is gonna work it out to have my car shipped up there.”
My brother paused. I could tell he wanted to say something. Finally, he said, “Hey, are you sure this is such a good idea, taking off with Chase like this? I mean, we've both known him for a long time, and I respect the guy a lot. But it just don't seem right, you up and flyin' across the country with him and all.”
I didn't want to tell Alonzo that I'd had the same concerns. “Hey, it's not like I'm gonna live with the guy,” I said, trying to console him.
“Yeah, I know.” I could tell from his tone that he wasn't convinced.
“I'm gonna be okay.”
“I know that too,” he assured me. “Don't worry, you have my blessing, Zoe.”
I knew Alonzo still had concerns, but I didn't want to focus on that. My brother had given me his blessing and that was enough for me.
“I'll call you when I get there,” I told him; then I hung up. I looked at the phone as I laid it back on the night-stand. I couldn't think of a single friend I wanted to say good-bye to. I considered calling Tasha, but after what Keisha told me about my best friend's attitude, I didn't feel much like talking to her. I promised myself that I would call Tasha eventually—I still cared about her.
I dragged my bags into the living room. “What are we going to do with all of this stuff?”
“What stuff?” Chase asked as he lifted a duffel bag onto his shoulder. “The furniture belongs to the landlord, and the other stuff, like the TV and telephones, I'll make arrangements for.”
I took a deep breath, sighed and smiled. “Okay. Let's get going.”
Chase tossed our bags into the trunk of the car he'd rented when he came back, then drove to the police station. I stayed calm while we filled out the report; my mind was unable to focus on my broken car window. Every brain cell I had was focused on Seattle.
“Now, there's not much we can do right now. We have to catch the person in the act,” the desk cop said.
“Yeah, I understand,” I said, not really caring. I gave my brother's name, address and phone number for contact information and then eagerly followed Chase back to the car.
As we pulled into the airport parking lot, my pulse started to race. I couldn't believe this was happening. I followed Chase through the ticket line, gave my luggage to the clerk after I purchased my ticket and then followed Chase through the security clearance line. I felt as if I were moving in slow motion, in a daze, as if I were watching myself from a distance.
When we arrived in the waiting area, I sat and stared out the window, watching the airplanes glide down the runway. Here I was, sitting at the airport, about to go crosscountry, with a friend—a very good friend. I had entered a make-believe world.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. We're about to begin boarding for Flight three twenty to Seattle. Please have your tickets and IDs available for the attendant.…”
“That's our call,” Chase said, squeezing my hand. “You ready?”
I stared at him for a moment. I wasn't sure how to answer that question. Though I was excited about going, there were many uncertainties that made me hesitate. I nodded, and he picked up our carry-ons.
I continued moving as if none of this were happening, following behind Chase as he gave our boarding passes to the attendant, then walking to our seats.
I gazed out the small window, watching other airplanes come and go. I was relieved when I heard the door to our airplane close. But still we didn't move.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is your pilot, Captain Allen, speaking.” I twisted in my seat. “Due to heavy traffic this evening, there is a backup on the runway and air traffic control has asked us to remain at the gate. It shouldn't be too long. We'll try to make up this time in the air and get you to Seattle as soon as possible. In the meantime, if there is anything that the flight attendants can do…”
I sighed. There was nothing anyone could do for me except to get me out of Miami. I squirmed in my seat again, not able to find a comfortable spot.
“Are you okay?” Chase stared at me with concern.
I smiled. “Yeah. I just want to get going.”
He nodded, then turned back to the American Airlines magazine he'd taken from the seat pocket in front of him.
I turned back to the window. As other planes around us moved, ours sat still.
Maybe this is a sign,
I thought as I tried to loosen my shirt collar, wanting to get some air in the stuffy plane.
As the minutes ticked by, my doubts increased. Was I really doing the right thing? Was this delay God's way of giving me the opportunity to change my mind? I thought about it—I could grab my carry-on, get off the plane and ask the airline to get my luggage out of the cargo bay. Even if they couldn't get my luggage out now, I knew they would arrange to get it to me somehow.
When forty minutes had passed, I decided this was my sign to stay in Miami. I shifted my body so that I could face Chase. I wasn't sure how I was going to explain my decision, but I would just be honest.
“Chase…”
He looked up at me.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is Captain Allen again,” his voice crackled over the intercom. “Thank you for your patience. We've finally been cleared for takeoff, and it should be a smooth ride. We'll try to make up some time in the air. Flight attendants, please secure the cabin and prepare for takeoff.”
Chase smiled. “You were going to say something?”
I shook my head. The decision had been made for me. I closed my eyes as the plane jerked slightly and then smoothly glided from the gate. Within minutes, we were airborne, flying above the clouds, headed northwest.
When I opened my eyes, Chase was looking at me, smiling.
“What?” I asked.
“I really feel good about this,” he said. “I'm so glad you're going with me.”
“Yeah, me too,” I said, trying to keep my voice from trembling.
“You seem stressed.” He frowned. “Are you still worried about the police report? Or is there something else…Are you having second thoughts about going to Seattle with me?”
I took a deep breath. “Don't get me wrong, Chase. I'm really excited for you and thankful that you asked me to go. But frankly, I'm just wondering what God has for me. What am I supposed to do in Washington? What am I supposed to do with my life?” I turned away from him, glancing at the window. All I saw was the pitch blackness of night. “Your dream is clear, and it's coming true. I don't even know what my dream is anymore.” I shook my head, thinking of all the plans I'd once had for my life. When Chase was silent, I continued. “I mean, I didn't go to college just to find a man, get married and have babies. But the truth be told, once I met Devyn, that was kinda my plan. I don't ever want to think that way again. So I guess I'm searching for what's next for me.” I turned back to Chase. “I do know one thing, though. I want my life to be what God wants it to be, you know?”
He took my hand and squeezed it. “You're gonna be just fine.”
“I hope you're right.” I turned away again and saw tiny droplets of water forming on the oval window. We must have been flying through some moisture. But I still couldn't see anything through the darkness. “At this moment,” I mumbled, “my life is just as unclear as that mist.”
W
ith help from Coach Sykes, Chase and I found an apartment after only having to stay in a hotel for two days. It was a two-bedroom in a nice neighborhood and a secure building.