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Harris drove silently, not wanting to disturb Miranda. Though he often came off gruff and unaffected, it didn’t get any easier as the years went by, watching people say goodbye. Finally, when he couldn’t stand it any longer, he glanced at Miranda out of the corner of his eye. “You okay?” he inquired hesitantly.
“No.” she answered quietly, honestly. “Harris, will I see him again?”
“I hope so. I sure hope so.” he replied. Several minutes passed in silence. “I don’t mean to cut your grieving time short, but...” he began apologeticly.
“Don’t worry about it Harris. Make the phone call I know you need to make.” she sighed.
Relieved, he fished out his cell phone, pressed a button, and after a moment said, “It’s a go. Bring it on, we’ll be there in ten.”
*****
The tall slim woman packed up the last of her equipment, and let herself silently out the door of the public restroom in the mall. Harris turned back to the female in front of himself.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“I hate it.”
“Most people do. You’ll get used to it.”
Miranda stood in front of the bathroom mirror and gazed unknowingly at the stranger in front of her. She had been transformed into a blond vision; several inches were hacked off of her waist length hair, and the red color erased with bleach. Once green eyes were now masked by blue contact lenses, and her spent clothing replaced with a beige pants suit. Harris came up beside her, and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Miranda Roberts, I’d like you to meet Kelly Marion.” he introduced, while gesturing to the her reflection in the mirror. She turned to him.
“Is that my new name?” she inquired. He nodded.
“We looked into your previous background, making it esier for us to place you in a lifestyle to which you could adjust. You are an intern at an accounting firm. Low profile job, good wages, behind the scenes work. Your transcripts showed you recieving high scores in math back in high school.”
“I cheated.”
“Well, then, that’s refreshing. Maybe this time you can find someone else to copy from, eh?” Harris chuckled for the first time.
“Are you Canadian?” she asked abruptly.
“No, why?”
“Because you said ‘eh?’ at the end of your sentence.” she explained.
“Oh. My last assignment was a Canadian crossover. He never lost his roots.”
“What happened to him?” Miranda asked. Harris’s expression changed and hardened.
“He didn’t follow directions.”
*@*
“I booked us a flight to San Fransisco. We’ll arrive at approximately 7:30pm Pacific time. From the airport, we’ll drive to your new apartment, where I’ll get you settled in. Tomarrow morning, I hop a flight back to Washington to make a report on your progress. Thirty-six hours later, I’ll fly back out to ‘Frisco to check up on you. Got it?”
“Yeah, can I get some fries with that?” Miranda cracked. Harris tossed an uncomprehending glance her way. “It was a joke, Harris. Geez.” she sighed.
“I don’t get it.” he muttered.
“Shocker.”
“These are your new official documents. If anyone decides to try to verify your identity, it’ll all check out. Here’s your driver’s liscense, social security card, and a credit card. We try to deal all in cash, but I understand that sometimes, using a charge card can’t be avoided. Try not to abuse it, okay?”
“Harris, do you stereotype all women, or are you just treating me to your good side?”
“Hurry up, our plane’s boarding.”
*****
“Welcome home. Here’s your place to hang your hat.” Harris introduced, as he flipped on the light switch by the door of the traditional San Fransisco apartment. The room was illuminated by soft lighting accents, and Miranda didn’t waste any time exploring the suite. A small, simple, functional kitchen was positioned to the left of the door, an airy living area taking up the rest of the space. At the back of the apartment, was a door which led to a comfortable bedroom with an attached bathroom. A smaller bedroom and an unattached main bathroom were also included. Large bookcases were built into one wall in the main living space; a standard bay window looking out over the rooftops of San Fransisco, the ocean visible in the distance, took up another wall.
“This is great, Harris. You have wonderful taste.”
“Thank you, but it’s not me. This is a safe house. One of several you’ll be staying in, so don’t get too attached.”
“Oh.”
“Before I forget, here’s the phone. Only use it for domestic calls. If you want to contact me, be sure to use the cell phone I gave you. My number is taped inside the case. I want you to memorize the number tonight, and after you do, burn the slip of paper it’s written on. Your fridge should be stocked....” Harris continued, and opened the refridgerator door. “Which it’s not, so I’ll pick up some groceries really quickly. Anything in particular that you like to eat?” he questioned.
”I don’t eat red meat.”
“Fine, so noted. There may be a couple of changes of clothes in the closet or dresser in your bedroom, so if you feel like it, go ahead and change. After I leave tomarrow morning, you’ll have to go shopping for some new clothes to fit your working girl image. Think you can handle that?”
Miranda shrugged, her sadness welling up inside of her. Her chest felt compressed; no words would come out of her mouth. Harris came close, placing his hands on her shoulders.
“Miranda....” he began, using her name for the first time that she could remember. “I know that you’re going through alot right now. You probably feel very confused and diswrought. But I want you to remember something. My job is to make your new life as normal as possible. For the next however many months, you and I are going to be best friends. Please just remember to do as I say. And try not to forget to live your life, while I focus on saving it.”
*@*
Harris had left for the corner store several minutes ago, when Miranda finally decided to move away from the front door. She was hesitant to wander, lest there be an intruder laying in wait. Maybe a Maffia man. Sighing in frusteration, Miranda reprimanded herself for thinking such things. Determinded not to play the part of the timid kitten, Miranda slowly began to edge her way toward the bedroom. Holding her breath, she groped for the light switch, flicking it on. The room stood empty, not a threat in sight. She exhaled the breath she had been holding, and gave a shakey laugh directed at herself.
“Stupid....” she muttered, striding to the closet. She slid the doors back and took in the contents. A winter coat and a suit hung on the rack. Calling it a loss, Miranda rumaged through the dresser drawers next, quickly locating a pair of navy sweatpants and a gray sweatshirt. Afraid of closing the bathroom door to change, Miranda simply stripped with haste, replacing the biege pants suit with more comfortable attire.
The living room stretched before her. Hesitantly, Miranda chose the armchair with it’s back facing the wall, it’s position enabling her to view the entire main floor of the apartment.
A thought occured to her, which she didn’t immediately dismiss. She could call Kevin using the cell phone. There wasn’t anything wrong with a quick call, was there? Just enough to hear his voice, that’s all. Just a second. Without any further contemplation, Miranda bolted from her chair and grabbed the tiny phone laying on the counter. Automaticly, she dialed their.....his number. It rang once, then twice. the other end of the line picked up, and Miranda heard Kevin’s voice answer anxiously.
“Hello?.....Hello, are you there? Hello? Anyone?........” he sighed. “Stupid pranks.” he muttered just before hanging up. Her tears spilled over the edge, trickling lightly down her face.
“Hi Kevin. It’e me. I miss you.”
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