I woke with a start, glancing around the room frantically. I had no idea where I was. I wasn’t in my bedroom and it took a few seconds for the events of the day before to come rushing back to me.

I was in a motel. I’d walked out on Matt. I was in a completely new town, and some asshole had insulted me in front of the entire bar.

I rolled over to check the time on the large, outdated clock radio. Six a.m. I was exhausted, and really, I had nowhere I needed to be, so I rolled over to fall back asleep. I felt like I could sleep for a year straight.

Seconds later, my eyes shot wide open and I sat straight up in the bed. I had to get up and find a drug store before the town came to life. I was wearing last night’s makeup, yesterday’s clothes, and I didn’t need to look in a mirror to know my hair was a fright. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and ran my fingers through my hair.

When was the last time I ever left the house without my hair and makeup done?

Never.

I was not looking forward to going out in public like this. Before I left my room, I wanted to know exactly where I was going so I could get there as quickly as possible. I grabbed my purse and reached inside for my phone, sitting back down on the bed to do a quick search. I hit the home button and got no response. I hit the home button again, and then every other button a few times before finally accepting that my phone had died.

Of course I forgot my charger.

I put my shoes on, grabbed my sunglasses, and left without even glancing at the mirror. Why look when I already knew what I’d see?

At least it was already sunny out so I could hide behind my shades. I got in my car and drove around to the Motel lobby. As much as I didn’t want to be seen, I did want the free coffee I saw advertised when I checked in. I approached the door and was relieved when I looked through the glass and didn’t see anyone at the front desk. I could sneak in, grab my coffee and be on my way.

I opened the door and an electronic bell chimed above my head.

Damnit, I grumbled to myself.

“Good morning, Miss. You’re up early. Did you sleep well?”

The receptionist was an older woman, just emerging from the back room.

“Ha, ha. I did. Sorry to disturb you, I just wanted to grab a coffee.”

“Oh, no disruption at all. The overnight shift can be a lonely one, so this is my favorite time, when the guests start to wake up. What brings you to Pismo Beach?” she asked with a smile.

Clearly, my plan to grab a coffee without being spotted had failed. Not only did it fail, but I ran into the one person who was desperate enough for human interaction that she was willing to talk to me without any makeup on.

It was hard to be too annoyed with her though. She was friendly and polite and I gave her a genuine smile.

“Well, I guess you could say I ended up here by accident. I left Palo Alto yesterday, determined to drive as far away as possible. This is as far as I got.”

“Well, what a lovely town for you to stumble upon. I’ve lived here my entire life. My late husband and I opened this motel together forty-eight years ago.”

She pointed proudly at the portrait of the couple in their younger years hanging on the wall behind her.

“I hope you’re staying a while. It’s so beautiful this time of year. I’m sure your room is available for the next couple nights.”

She flipped through the reservation book to double check.

“Oh, I don’t think so. I really should be on my way.”

“I didn’t realize you were on a schedule. Where are you headed?”

I still hadn’t given it any thought.

Where was I going?

What was I doing?

Did I really think leaving my husband would be as simple as getting in my car and driving away?

“I just need to get away. Far away.”

“And this isn’t far enough?”

“I don’t think so.” The lady nodded as if she knew exactly what I meant.

“Trouble with your old man?” she said, genuinely concerned. “Let’s just say, it’s time for a fresh start. A new beginning. To be honest, I’m not sure where I’m headed, but I trust God to land me in the right spot,” I said while putting a lid on the paper cup of coffee.

“If there’s one man worth putting your trust in, it’s Him,” she said with a motherly smile.

“Actually, one place I do need to go to today is a store. Is there a place I could pick up some bathroom essentials, clothing, a phone charger?”   The woman’s eyebrows rose.

“You really are starting from scratch, aren’t you?”

I nodded.

“Well,” she said, “there are a few little stores near here but if you’re looking for a one stop shop, you’ll want to head to Walmart. Right down the highway, along the coast. It’s so early though darling, nothing will be open for at least another hour.”  

I slumped in disappointment but the woman laughed.

“Come on, it’s not that bad.”

With that, she put a tray of fresh, still warm muffins on the counter and offered me one. I gladly accepted.

She watched me as I chewed.

“Take two back to your room. You never can have too many fresh muffins, that’s my motto.”

She slipped two steaming muffins into a takeaway bag and handed it to me. I wanted to run around the counter and throw my arms around her. I hadn’t seen kindness like that in a very long time.