Freedom

She thought it funny how walking down the side of the road was her first taste of freedom, the weight of responsibility and expectations eased with every step she took; The smell of lemon grass filling her nose and clearing her senses, replenishing the energy she had given to the road for the last two hours. She looked to the fields she walked beside and was amazed at how the pigments of morning light bounced off the morning dew just forming on the grass, this to her served as a sign that she had made the right decision.

Her liberation had come two days and probably around 200 miles back; on her 18th birthday she was presented with an option, she could either straighten up, as her father put it, get a job and start pulling her weight, or get out; she had looked to her mother for support willing her to speak up but she only sat there twiddling with the strings on her apron and avoiding her daughters eyes and pleas. The apron her mother wore was pink with lace on the edges and a black ribbon that tied around the back, to Sarah this piece of cloth represented the inequalities of America and served as a slavery icon meant for women. She made her choice with the setting sun that night knowing she was meant for more than just the kitchen.

With her past behind her, kept herself entertained with the possibilities of the future, dreams of blue water, warmer climate and stardom filled her vision, so it was no surprise when she almost didn’t notice the car slowing down to catch up with her. She was awoken from her daydream with a simple, HI! She looked to the left to see a yellowish bug stop beside her, she stooped her head down and came face to face with a beautiful stranger who’s eyes went from blue to grey with just the smallest hint of light. After the initial conversation about destinations and the should and shouldn’t tug war in her brain, she threw caution to the wind and climbed inside. After negotiating Florida, they headed on their way. “I’m Sarah by the way” she says, holding her hand out for a formal shake, and with a beautiful smile her knight in shining armor takes her hand in his and says “nice to meet you I’m Theodore Bundy, but you can call me ted for short”. Sarah returned his smile and settled in for the ride envisioning her future and wondering what kind of splash she might make out in the real world.