Help Needed

Help Needed

Claire leaned her aching head back on the bus headrest and tried to close her eyes. She was ten hours in to what was promised a 20 hour trip so figured she finally had time to relax enough to get some real sleep, if that was ever possible again. She had just stretched her legs in Tucson and let her cat, Patches, out of her carrier to use the makeshift litter tray and drink some water. The cat had already settled back into an afternoon nap.

Still feeling grittiness in her eyes, Claire rubbed them with the kerchief hanging around her neck. The same scarf used as a mask as she escaped her burning Altadena neighborhood on her one means of transportation, her trusty mountain bike outfitted with baskets for carrying groceries and other essentials. In this case her cat carrier and a cloth bag for all cat supplies. All the treasure she could gather to save.

The smoky smell lingered unmistakably. She had no idea when she would be able to take a much needed shower and change into one of the two changes of clothes she had in her backpack along with her laptop, phone and charger. And her mother's silver coins collection. The only earthly possessions she had remaining.

Sleep wouldn't come easy as the events of the last day recycled in her weary mind. Would she ever be able to erase the memory or fall a victim to PTSD? It didn't help that the only food she had consumed was snacks from the vending machine at the last stop. With her bank account being so depleted she prayed she was making the right decision striking out seeking help from her one remaining family member, Uncle Simon, living on a ranch in the Texas Hill Country. He sounded welcoming when she called him before deserting her bike at the bus station in LA. She pulled her hoodie closer around her as her eyes drifted shut.

She awoke in Austin for the bus transfer to a local carrier out to the small town of Wimberly. From there Claire would have to call Uncle Simon for a ride to his ranch or spring for an expensive uber driver. But Simon didn't answer so she left a desperate voice mail. Maybe it was too early in the morning or he was busy doing ranch chores. She tended to Patches' needs then noticed a coffee shop where she ordered a much needed cup. Deciding to try Simon in a little while before selecting an uber she settled at an outdoor patio table allowing Patches to explore on her harness leash as the displaced traveler took a good look around.

Product of an absentee father, Claire used to visit this place with her single mother, Rosanna, years ago as a child. Then it was a sleepy little town surrounded by junipers and ancient snarled oak trees, cacti and scruffy sage. Now it resembled a bustling city with chain hotels and restaurants along this outer approach. It will be interesting to see how much has changed along the route to Simon's rustic ranch. From what little she knew he had make significant progress transforming his working ranch into a touristy attraction in the now popular Hill Country. She doubted she would even recognize the old place.

Right now she didn't care. She would welcome any hospitality and perhaps there will be opportunity to stay and offer some kind of assistance while she got back on her feet. Since her mother died five years ago during the catastrophic Covid 19 epidemic she had been struggling on her own doing whatever part-time jobs that came her way while being a free-lance proof-reader for an LA publishing firm. A few months back she had applied for a promotion to editor but hadn't heard anything back yet. That probably meant there was no way she qualified for such a raise in pay position. Luckily, she could still work remotely out here in the wild countryside simply doing what she had been doing. The modest low-rise apartment complex in which she had her relatively low-rent place within biking distance to the main office no longer was standing since the strong Santa Anna winds had swept wildfires down from the mountains and she had to take flight in the middle of the night.

Just imagine. It had only been the week before she had sat along the five mile route in Pasadena enjoying the Rose Parade with a cheerful hope for the New Year! That had culminated a month long part-time job she had secured working on one of the famous floats pasting organic matter to foam board in whatever manner possible. Without family Claire didn't mind working through the holiday season. The funds earned with that gig and her last paycheck was all that stood between her and the streets. Wouldn't you know it, the monthly rent had been paid for an apartment that no longer existed? Finding a new home in the pricey market would be nearly impossible. As a small bit actress her mother had dreamed of more in the Hollywood Hills but nothing was holding Claire here anymore.

Now she remembered to count her blessings. Not everyone had made it out alive. And then there was also the tragic start of the New Year in New Orleans. Young people exactly like her trying to celebrate were plowed over by a maniac in a truck. Not exactly a Happy New Year so far.

“You don't see that everyday.”

“Huh? I'm sorry, are you talking to me?” Claire pushed her unruly curly hair back as she squinted up to a tall, lean Texan in a Stetson.

“You don't see a cat on a leash in these parts very often. Probably never.” He drawled in a not unpleasant way.

“Oh, we just got off a very long bus ride and she needs to stretch her legs like me but I don't want her to get lost. She is all I have left.”

“Uh, you do look a little rough. Pretty, but rough. Are you okay? Or do you need help?”

“Pretty rough is right! I, I've been through the gates of hell, I think.” Claire dabbed her tearing eyes at the first kind words anyone had spoken to her since her ordeal began.

“Hey! I didn't mean to make you cry. Mind if a guy sits and tries to make things right again? I can't leave a damsel in distress. I assure you I am a gentleman.”

“My mother taught me not to talk to strangers but I am grateful for your kindness.”

“Let me buy you breakfast then I won't be so much a stranger. I see your coffee is empty and this place has great biscuits and gravy with grits.”

“I am hungry. How could I refuse such an offer? Thank you.”

When he got back with the goods he straddled the bench and settled across from her as he served out the meal.

“So what brings you to town?”

“I'm hoping to visit my mother's only brother whom I haven't seen since I was a little girl.”

“Is he supposed to meet you here?”

“I said I would call when I arrived but he hasn't answered his phone yet. Probably busy with ranch chores.”

“Kind of a coincidence. A friend asked me to come here to meet his niece. He had a health incidence last evening so I delivered him to the hospital last night. Came back here this morning to look for a Claire Calhoun.”

“Oh, my goodness! Is Uncle Simon okay? I'm Claire Calhoun!”

“No kidding! Nice to meet y'all. Lefty Long, Simon's neighbor. Yep, he had a minor stroke and should recover fine but may need some help for a while.”

“Well, I'm here to help!”