16/46
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//--> An Official Daughter pt 2.
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Neither of them spoke until Karl exited 215 freeway, coming to a stop at the corner of Red Rock Casino.
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“Starbright Theater?”
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“What? Starbright? Is it Starlight… or StarBRIGHT?”
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Blanche pausing, “I’m not sure. I know it’s on 215 and Lake Meade.”
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“You just said Charleston. That's where we are now...”
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“No, 215 and Lake Meade. Take me there right now or I’ll be late.”
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This was enough. It was time to head back.
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“What are you doing?”
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“I’m sorry. I can’t.” Karl had screwed up. He was five miles from Eucalyptus Senior Living and his passenger was starting to cry.
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“Whhyyy,” Blanche pleaded, a wale of pain.
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“There is no Starlight.”
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“Please, please take me. My friends are waiting.”
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“Can you try and call them?”
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“Yes.” Blanche pulls a cellphone from her purse and begins pushing buttons, “Hello, hello, hello Sue. It’s me. “Sue?”
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Whoever is on the other line hangs up.
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Sitting at the stop light above the 215 overpass, Karl searches iMap again, this time for Starbright Theater. To his surprise it pops up, close by.
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“I think I found it.”
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“Hurry.”
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“Nine minutes.” The engine revs. They are in this together.
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Between excitement and panic, Karl sends out a prayer, “Please Lord, hold the bus.”
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The final two miles is a long descent along Lake Meade Boulevard. Blanche watches the treetops. Karl is locked on the map. Turning onto Canyon Road, she comes alive, as back from the dead.
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“Yes, here. See, there’s my bus. They waited!”
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As Karl pulls to a stop, Blanche drops three dollars into the front seat.
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She mutters a thank you and closes the car door.
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Karl watches thankful and relieved as Blanche boards the shuttle rehearsing the story of how she saved herself.
