The car ride

"I understand you just moved here?" Gavin asked, starting the car and pulling away from the facility.

"Yeah, that's right." I kept my eyes glued out the window, watching as the facility left my view. "Today was my first day in town, as a matter of fact."

Gavin whistled, his arm moving to the back of my seat. I thought for a moment that he was going to put his arm around me, but he was just resting his hand on the seat as he looked for oncoming traffic. I tried to ignore that something about that made me feel disappointed. "They move more quickly these days, I suppose," he said. "I remember back in the day folks would be left to wonder if they would get a visit from the Association. Sometimes for years."

"Lucky me, I guess."

Gavin sighed. "Look, Lucy... I know this is a lot to take in, right? I went through it. Kinda. Adjusting to this place, wrapping my head around how they work."

"I think my case is a bit different."

He chuckled, and I could feel my heart skip a beat. Why was he having this effect on me?

"I have to agree, you're case is definitely different. But I just want you to know... I've seen this happen a whole bunch of times before, and it works. It really does. I've never seen an unhappy couple come out of this whole thing. And... I'm not your enemy here, alright? Kind of the opposite."

"I'm having a hard time believing anyone in this town isn't my enemy," I said. "Even my own daddy..." I grimaced at my **** language, eyes screwing shut. I was startled into opening them by Gavin taking my hand and squeezing it.

"I'm not your enemy. I'm on your side," he said, squeezing again. "You think you can trust me?"

I glanced at him, frowning. "Couldn't you just... order me to?"

"Don't wanna do that," Gavin said. "You might act like you trust me in that case, but I think I'd always doubt it was real."

I swallowed, then nodded. That made sense and... Gavin didn't seem that bad, really. Maybe there was some hope that he could help me out here. Could we claim we wanted to move, go our separate ways after?

He pulled down a side road and drove a few houses down before pulling into a driveway. He took his hand back, put the car in park, and slapped the wheel. "Here we are. Home sweet home." He got out of the car and jogged around to open the door for me.

"You don't have to do that," I said as I climbed out.

"Well, the neighbors are gonna be keeping an eye out for something to talk about anyway, might as well give them a little show," he said, winking. I glanced around. I could see a few people outside. A couple in their backyard grilling, a man mowing the lawn, another couple going to their car just across the street. "Hey Ryan, Lisa!" Gavin called out, waving at the couple across the street. They looked close to his age. They waved back and proceeded into their car.

We walked to the house and Gavin opened the door. "I'll get you some keys tomorrow on my lunch break. I was gonna do it after work, but with that meeting with the Warrens..."

"It should be fine," I said. "I'll try not to get locked out or anything. No telling what they'd do to me."

"**** of the highest order, I think. Why, ol' Mr. Smythe, one of my parents neighbors, he lost his keys once? They stuck him in the gallows right in the center of town. Everyone had to swing by and toss a tomato at him at least once a day or join him in the punishment."

I grinned. "I'm pretty sure you're joking, but..."

"Can't be too sure around here," he said, raising his eyebrows. He managed to keep his composure for about 30 seconds before busting out laughing. As bad as my mood was, I couldn't help but join in.