No Fear!

There were no pulmonias anywhere, but there was a bus pulling out. Across the street were five or six busses just sitting idle, as if the bus drivers were on a break, which indeed, they were, since it was the end of their routes. The drivers looked forward to both ends of town where they would force everyone to get off the bus so they could have their moment alone. Locals understood, but there was an occasional tourist that wanted to stay onboard, using him as a touring bus. Being a seaside town, the opposite ends of their line were dead-end roads that halted at the sea. Paul waved for the bus driver to stop, and jumped on. It was only about a three minute ride to the hotel, but it would save him the precious time he needed. He thought about what Emma had said, and shook his head, as if trying to rid his mind of the conversation. This can’t be happening, this is all too weird. He reviewed the events of the last 24 hours, and wondered if he should pack his bags and leave. He hadn’t counted on Emma and her past, or Emma and her encounter with Mickey. He knew he hadn’t given her what she wanted in terms of information about her parents, and knew she would, after some time to think about it, realize that, and continue to press him. Then, his mind went to the revelation that Ben and Katie were gone, and a strange feeling came over him. It was all too strange, and seemed almost too much for him to take. The bus stopped to let him off, and as he walked into the hotel, he went through an exercise in his mind to prepare him for the day, a cleansing of sorts, so he could function, and show the confidence he needed with his guests. Then a thought came over him. Who the hell are these people that are coming tomorrow, the people she calls her mom and dad?