As I walked away, I listened to Paul’s car reversing behind me. The office was around the corner in a small trailer. A light was on inside. I heard Paul pull back onto the road and turned to watch him go. He gave me a couple of short honks and waved through the back, then he was gone.

I let out a sigh of relief.

When I’d pointed to my car, I couldn’t actually see it. I just pretended to so Paul would feel comfortable leaving me. I had no idea if it was there, and deep down, I was sure it wasn’t. I didn’t actually believe it had been towed.

At first when I saw it was gone, I thought the same thing as Sandra, that it had been stolen. Then I thought maybe I just forgot where I’d parked. Then I turned back and saw Sandra calling the police.

That was when it hit me. My car had been stolen. I’d stolen it. From Matt! It was in his name. In his classic style, he’d ‘given’ me the car without ever signing it legally into my name. It was the way he liked things, always in complete control of everything.

I was screwed. And too embarrassed to tell Paul and Sandra the truth. I hadn’t counted on Paul taking me all the way to the impound.

Despite knowing my car wasn’t there, I popped into the office to check anyway. Just as I’d suspected, the guy confirmed they didn’t have it.

With every ounce, I knew Matt had taken it back. Somehow, he’d found me, and figured out one more way to screw with my life.

The second I realized it was gone out front of the café, an awful feeling came over me. It almost made my skin crawl. I’d looked around, but it wasn’t for my car, it was to see if Matt was still there, watching me. And then, in the car with Paul, I remembered the GPS anti-theft protection my car had, which allowed Matt to look up it’s location whenever he wanted.

I’d never escaped him, not as long as I was driving his car.

I was so naive. I’d thought blocking his phone number was all I needed to do to get him out of my life. I should have known better. Pismo Beach wasn’t far enough away to escape him. Nowhere was.

But what could I do?

I called a cab on my cell and paced around the parking lot in front of the office as I waited for it. I wondered if Matt was still in town. Maybe he just came to reclaim what was his and left when he had it. But was that me being naive again? Was that too simple?

I’d parked right in front of the café. He easily could have looked inside and seen me working there. I felt sick at the thought. Maybe he’d sent someone to get it for him. I hoped he had. He was probably too busy fucking random women to do his own dirty work. But the thought that he’d been in town was definitely very disturbing.

The cab driver pulled up outside the motel and I paid him. I should have told him to swing by a liquor store so I could buy a bottle of gin. I could use a drink to clearthe thoughts that were swirling in my head.

I walked past the motel office and saw the same cute surfer girl that had been working the night I checked in. I went inside.

“Hey, any chance you have a large envelope to spare?”

She rummaged around under her desk and came back with one.

“I’m pushing my luck, but do you have stamps too?”

She smiled and handed me an entire sheet of stamps.

“Really? You don’t mind?”

“Anything for a customer,” she said, making a joke.

I laughed and thanked her. When I got into my room, I saw a plate of fresh cinnamon rolls and a note sitting on the desk.

“I hope you’re enjoying your time in Pismo Beach. If you liked my muffins, you’ll love my cinnamon rolls.”

It was official, the old lady who ran this place was the best hotel matron in history.

I took a bite from one of the rolls and shut my eyes as I savored the sweet taste. I licked the homemade icing off my fingers and bent down to unlock the safe in my room. I took my envelope of cash out and tossed it on the bed. I picked up a pen, pad of paper, a second cinnamon roll and sat down at the desk and started writing.

I folded the letter and put it in the envelope with all the cash. It was a lot of money to let go of, but I didn’t want it. I knew I had to send it back. If he was coming here to get his car, I knew he’d be sniffing around for the money too. It was fine by me. He could have it. I wanted to cut all possible ties to him.

I addressed the envelope and put my shoes back on to walk a few blocks to mail the letter. It was odd, I didn’t feel anxious at all. I felt nothing as I wrote that letter to him. I wasn’t mad. I wasn’t sad. I was just done. What I knew for sure was that I was doing the right thing. I felt strong and confident. I knew I’d be fine.

I got to the mailbox and lifted the envelope to lick it. In that moment I remembered that Paul was showing me that apartment the next day. If I wanted it, I’d have to put down first and last month’s rent and likely a damage deposit too.

I shook my head. Independence, sure, but within reason.

I reached into the envelope and pulled out a few thousand. He’d never miss it.

I licked the adhesive strip and stopped again to take out an extra twenty dollar bill. My next drink would be on him! I’d earned it!