The woman smiled and said, “Hi. You doin’ okay?”
Sasha said, “Neither of you look handicapped.”
The man glanced over his shoulder at the SUV. He said, “I think it’s more of a suggestion.”
Sasha shot back, “No, it’s not. The whole program was set up forpeople who have trouble walking. I know because my mom’s disabled.”
The man said, “Is she as pretty as you?”
“Not anymore.” She held the man’s gaze. She knew these two had nothing to do with social work.
The man said, “How’d you like it if we took you somewhere nice to eat instead of swallowing that garbage.” He pointed at her burrito.
“No, thanks. I’m fine.”
“You look like you could use a good meal. Maybe a nice makeover as well.”
“Why would you care?” She paused and tossed her burrito into the bushes at the side of the stairs.
“Come with us for about ten minutes and I’ll show you.”
“Is that how long it takes to stab someone and bury them in a shallow grave?”
The woman laughed. “Clever and pretty. You should really come with us.”
“Why?”
“We can show you a way to make a fortune and have fun doing it.”
Now Sasha took a moment to really evaluate the couple standing in front of her. The woman was dressed casually in nice jeans and a designer top. The man looked sharp too. She didn’t know designers that well, but everything he wore looked expensive. She could tell his loafers weren’t cheap. They looked fancy. It made her consider their offer.
“How would I make this money?”
The man said, “Just be yourself. Clever, beautiful, and charming.”
Nothing was that easy. Sasha knew from experience. But she was intrigued. She couldn’t believe she was seriously considering their offer.
Then the man started to pressure her a little bit. He took a couple of steps closer to her, leaned down, and offered his hand for her to stand up.
When Sasha didn’t move to take his hand, the man reached closer and grasped her wrist. Without thinking, Sasha squeezed her water bottle so it blasted the man in the face. He took a step back and stumbled. The woman kept him from falling down the stairs.
That’s when Sasha decided not to press her luck. She thought about running past them into the street but didn’t know how fast they were. Plus, they had a car and could search for her. Instead, she turned and sprinted up the stairs and slammed into the front doors of the museum, banging on them with her hands, wondering if whoever was inside would consider helping her. She didn’t bother looking behind her.
A security guard was suddenly on the other side of the glass, giving her a dirty look. But then maybe he saw something in her expression and quickly unlocked the door.
Sasha stumbled inside and gave him her best lost-puppy look. “I swear I’m not trying to cause problems. A man just grabbed my arm outside and I didn’t know where to run.”
The older security guard, who looked like a guy who enjoyed his own Taco Bell, peered out the window of the door. Then he turned back to Sasha and said, “Was he in a car?”
She nodded and said, “A white SUV.”
The guard relocked the door and said, “I just saw it pulling out of the handicap spot in front. Want me to call the cops?”
Sasha shook her head.
The guard said, “Then wait here for a few minutes to make sure he doesn’t double back.”
That simple comment made Sasha smile. There were still good people in the world.
