"You don't need me to promise," I said. "But I will."
"Good luck, then, Lorelei, and watch yourself. The road ain't no place for a grown man, much less a young girl," he added.
"Thanks again," I said and watched him walk off.
I looked out the window when my dessert arrived and saw him getting into his truck. Moments later, he pulled away and disappeared on the highway, swallowed up by the same darkness that awaited me, darkness without promise except for the promise of more danger and unhappiness.
"Excuse me," I heard just as I lifted my fork to eat some of the apple pie I had ordered.
