Liz stopped at the brothel, picking up the last of her things.
The madam was sad to see her go, Liz was the most enthusiastic employee she had ever had and she was always more alive after a day of work! The madam was truly going to miss her.
Liz said her goodbyes to the other girls in the brothel and then pulled out of the drive headed East, to the Great Lakes. She would be stopping along the way to pick up another. The red mustang headed East for about 2 hours before pulling into the Valley of Fire. Liz had no idea where she was supposed to go. The directions had been vague. Valley of Fire was large area and all she could do was wait.
Did Hattie realize how large the Valley of Fire was???? AND! How silly her directions had been???? Liz fumed.
Liz parked the car and closed her eyes leaning back on the car seat back. She may have dozed off for about an hour or so. When she opened her eyes she looked to her left and through the heat and desert sun an older woman was walking. The woman's feet were bare unbothered by the scorching heat. The old woman opened the door and set her bag in the back seat before she sat up front.
"About damn time." the older woman stated in mixed anger and apprehension.
"Yes, but it will be one hell of a fight, Hattie" Liz noted and then turned the ignition on the Mustang and it roared to life and finally they continued their journey East.
They had been driving for several hours when the gas tank in her car got low. They stopped at a dingy convenience store and gas station to fill up, fuel and food.
Hattie leaned over and grabbed her bag, "What can I get you?"
Liz was filling the tank, turned and looked at the old woman. "I don't think they sell what I want." She let out a sigh, "which is unfortunate, because I am famished."
Hattie raised her brows. "My understanding dear, is you just came from a brothel. How in the name of the goddess can you be famished?"
Liz put the nozzle back and screwed the lid of the tank. She put her hand on her hip and looked straight at Hattie, "Fine, just pick me up some of those pretzels with peanut butter on them." She paused for a moment. "And a diet coke."
Hattie nodded and then left to go into the convenience store while Liz finished with the car. When Hattie came back with a bag of treats she put them in between the two women.
"Hattie?" Liz asked after they had been driving for a while.
"Mm?" Responded Hattie as she sipped the pop from her straw.
"Why do you keep that appearance?" Liz asked.
Hattie leaned back in the seat and stared at the ceiling of the vehicle. "I don't know. I suppose I don't want to be bothered." She stated as she bit into the gingerbread cookie. She then looked back over at Liz, "Would you prefer if my appearance was younger?"
Liz shrugged her shoulders, "I don't care one way or the other. I was just curious."
"Yeah..." Hattie trailed and then closed her eyes.
They traveled for the remainder of the day, and stopped for the night in some roadside motel. Nothing special and definitely not expensive. They wouldn't be staying here long, just for the night and then they would have to make their way Eastward to the Great Lakes. Where their true journey would begin.
Liz was brushing her teeth while Hattie took a shower. Hattie came out of the shower with a towel wrapped around her torso and hair. "Water is warm and feels good!" she exclaimed.
Liz shifted her eyes towards Hattie, "When was the last time your stinky ass took a shower?"
Hattie rolled her eyes. "I liked the desert." she said with longing in her voice. "Nobody bothered me there. The local tribe was kind but stayed out of my business. The tourists never strayed that far into my vicinity."
"Still not fond of people?"
"No, I find them...less than tolerable."
"Even me?!" Liz stated mock hurt laced her words.
"Especially you." Hattie stated a smile forming on her face. "Honestly though, I can't wait to meet up with the others. It has been too long."
Liz nodded in agreement, but she didn't say anything.
"Liz? when was the last time you were there?"
"I haven't been even remotely close since I left. It was too dangerous to stay. He would have surely killed me. I like my head attached to my body."
Hattie noticed the sadness in her eyes and etched in her face. Hidden behind a smile and sarcasm. Hattie reached for and held Liz's hand and squeezed gently.
"Yeah, I think I'll take a shower now. I can't be the stinky one! I'm not the old hag." Liz laughed at she grabbed a towel and closed the bathroom door.
Hattie looked at the closed door. Shaking her head softly. But it didn't bother her, not really. She chose to keep the appearance of an old woman it was far easier to maintain than a youthful appearance. She didn't want to have to consume more than what was necessary. But as she moved away from the door and sat on the adequately comfortable bed, she couldn't help but think of her dear sister and the pain she was going through.
"Hopefully, things can be better." she whispered to herself.
Liz sat in the shower and the water cascaded over her. She couldn't stop the tears that were falling. She put her hand on the shower tiles ahead of her and bent her head looking at her feet. She cursed herself for her weakness. It would all be worth it, it had to be worth it.
Liz turned off the shower and emerged from the bathroom. She was smiling, she buried her feelings deep within in her. She turned the corner there was a hypnotized man laying on her bed. Hattie no longer had an appearance of a hag and sat next to the man whispering softly to him and gently stroking his neck. When Hattie noticed Liz emerge from the bathroom she turned to her.
"Hattie, did you get me a treat?"
Hattie let a shy smile cross her face and shrugged as she got up from the bed.
"Hattie, won't you join me?"
As Hattie had her hand on the door knob to leave the room. She called out over her shoulder. "This is your thing, not mine. Call me when you've had your fill."
A wicked grin crossed Liz's face as she let the towel fall from her body and crumple on the floor at her feet.