I’ve never felt weird or out of place even though most of my friends aren’t what you’d consider gamers. But sitting here across the counter from Hudson I’m out of place in my own home. I’m a bigger nerd than I realized.
Maybe Hudson is out of date and too serious for his own good?
He may be pretty to stare at, but he doesn’t seem like he’s a lot of fun even if he is willing to take me on a raid today.
“Pull over here.It’s a great lookout area.” I point to a small section on the side of the road, which overlooks the San Francisco Bay and gives a great view of the city from our vantage point.
This morning as I organized another Animal Snatch raid, I asked Hudson what he wanted to do in San Francisco while he was here. I’m trying to be friendly, but awkward doesn’t even begin to describe what it feels like to have this guy living on my couch. If I don’t do something my anxiety will grow out of control, but if I treat Hudson as a friend on vacation and not a lifesaving bodyguard, I might make it out of here without permanent mental damage.
Anyway, he decided to remind me this isn’t a vacation for him. Which isn’t helping my whole “pretend it didn’t happen” existence I’ve got going on right now.
But then when he finished being macho, he said he’d love to see the entire city and the first place that popped into my mind was Sausalito. This cute little town went hipster over the last few years, but it offers amazing views of the entire city of San Francisco across the water. And it’s only a quick jog across the bridge.
He sighs. “Fine.” Hudson turns the car into a small parking spot and locks the doors, which is unnecessary. “But you stay in the car. We’ll check it out from here.” His second day in San Francisco hasn’t made him lighten up any.
“Hudson.”
“Amanda,” he says, as exasperated as I am. “I told you it’s not safe in the city.”
“And, we’re not in the city.” Sure, we’re inacity, but notthecity he’s implying. “Who knows I’m here besides you?” It’s not like I announced our plans to anyone. He won’t even let me get on Facebook.
I’m not worried about it. If I let myself get drawn into a pit of despair and anxiety over what could happen, I’ll never leave my house. And trust me, I’m almost to that point, so getting out with Hudson is exactly what a girl needs.
“Do you understand the seriousness of the situation? You were witness to an attempted murder.”
Hudson starts up with the same argument we had this morning. As if I need a reminder of what I saw a few days ago. “None of them know who I am. I don’t know any of them. I’m one person in a city of millions.”
“I don’t relish those odds. Add to it the fact they may have ties to the Russian mob.”
“Well, they didn’t look Russian,” I say before I can stop myself.
Hudson narrows his eyes and stares. “What does a Russian mobster look like exactly?”
4
Ipretend to think for a second. Seagulls fly over the ocean, squawking as they dip into the water at the early morning hour. The city stretches on for miles in front of us. When you’re standing on a street in San Francisco, you can’t imagine how large or beautiful the area is. Get a few miles out in Sausalito and the rolling hills that make us famous for our steep roads are amazing. It’s my favorite view, even better than seeing it from stories above in one of the high-rises.
When I decide I’ve faked it long enough, I smack my lips and answer. “I’m not sure, but he didn’t speak Russian and one time I read this book by Jenn Frederick with a hitman and he didn’t remind me of that character.”
“He doesn’t remind you of a character in a book you read?”
“No.”
“The Russian mob doesn’t walk around speaking Russian. They’ve been in the US for centuries. They are as American as you and me. It doesn’t make them any less dangerous.”
A few of his words sink in, but when it comes right down to it, I trust my friend. For now.
“Can I at least get out of the car and walk a half a block to our right so I can catch the sea urchin?” I ask, hoping the mention of the mythical water creature from Finn’s new game is enough to entice Hudson to head that way. I finally got him to download the app on his phone even though he still refuses to admit it’s a lot of fun.
“There’s a sea urchin there?” He grabs his phone from the center console.
And I got him.
“Come on,” I say as I unlock the car and get it out.
Hudson stares after me, shock written across his face, but I don’t ask why. Did he forget I can unlock doors from the passenger side? There’s no way I’m getting back in the car now. I don’t need another Russian mobster speech.
Seriously, it’s not that I don’t believe him. I’m working overtime to push the idea I saw someone get shot way, way down into my subconscious. Nothing will be enough to stop the nightmares every night. Yet, getting out and pretending my life is the same as it was two weeks ago is a great way to make… life normal again. Aspen supported the idea when I mentioned it to her.
