Title: Two Beds and a Coffee
Machine
Part: 2/3
Author: Wendy
Category: 98º
Rating: PG
Copyright: 2000
Toni glanced to her right to see Scotty fast asleep. Through the rear-view mirror, she could see Josie asleep as well. She flipped on the radio at a low volume to just try to remove Jeff's yelling from her mind. She got on the highway and just started to drive away. She had no real destination, just anywhere away from Colorado Springs, where she lived so happily for the past seven years.
After a couple of hours, she stopped at a small town. She first got gas and then headed to a diner down the street. She woke up Scotty and Josie and they ate breakfast. Toni still wasn't sure what to tell her children.
"Mommy, where are we going?" Scotty asked when he finished his cereal.
"Away from Colorado Springs," Toni answered.
Between bites of her food, Josie asked, "Daddy?"
Trying to say in her calmest voice, Toni replied, "Daddy isn't coming with us."
After breakfast, they were back on the road. It was going to be a journey, until they reached their destination, if there was really one.
Toni was extremely tired after driving an entire day. She stopped off at a little town in the middle of Missouri.
She stayed at the cheapest motel in town. She entered the room and silently laughed at the reason why it was so cheap. The only things in the room were two beds in the middle and a coffee machine on the side.
Scotty and Josie held to the bottom of Toni's shirt. They settled down on the beds and Toni made sure the room was fine.
She knelt down in front of her children and took out a couple of lollipops from her pocket.
"Since you two have been so great today, here's a lollipop for you," Toni handed over the candy and hugged the children.
For the following few days, the three passed states after states, until stopping in the suburbs of Boston in Massachusetts.
Wendy looked for houses after houses to rent, while staying at a motel. Finally, they ended up at a small but cozy single house.
The rent was a little steep, but it came with some furniture and the electricity.
Taking her young children, Toni headed over to a local supermarket to get some groceries. She wanted to make the house a place called home.
She knew that she would never forget Jeff, but she had to move on from the abusive relationship.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
And there are children to think of
Baby's asleep in the backseat
Wonder how they'll ever make it through this living nightmare
But the mind is an amazing thing
Full of candy dreams and new toys and another cheap hotel
Two beds and a coffee machine
But there are groceries to buy
And she knows she'll have to go home
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~