Story # 21: "Downtown Abby"

Yes, I did spell both of the words in the title "wrong." Obviously, the title of this story is a play on words referring to the popular TV show (which I love, and have watched every episode of, by the way). This story, however, has nothing to do with the show in the least. Enjoy!  ~  JH

"DOWNTOWN ABBY"

Abby was a country girl, born and raised. And proud of it, she might add. In fact, in her twenty-three years of life, she'd never even so much as set foot in the city. And why should she? The city was sixty miles away from her hometown, and everything – and everyone – she needed was right here.

As Abby was quite fond of saying, she hadn't lost anything in the city, so why on earth would she go and look for anything there? Until, that is, she met Eddie.

The tall, dark, and incredibly handsome salesman – how cliché could you get, really? – had driven into town on a Thursday morning. He'd come to her door early that afternoon. Abby wasn't sure what the thingamajigger he was peddling was supposed to do, but she bought four of them on the spot.

Understandably, Abby was captivated by the stranger's good looks, and she was determined to get to know him better. When Eddie told her that he lived in the city, Abby was practically devastated. Alas, there was no future for her in Eddie. Or was there?

Eddie packed up his wares on Saturday morning to head back home. Abby was waiting for him by his car when he stepped out of the hotel, feeling every bit as desperate as she appeared.

Despite the inner voice that was screaming at her to be reasonable, to have some self-respect for crying out loud, and to show at least a modicum of restraint, Abby found herself speaking the words out loud.

"Take me with you."

Eddie smiled mysteriously, dropped his bags in the back seat, and motioned Abby over to the passenger side of the car. She got in eagerly, but hesitated before shutting the door.

This was stupid, she knew – not to mention morally reprehensible, and maybe even a touch psychotic. But she was doing it. Wasn't she?

Abby slammed the door of Eddie's car, making what was apparently her decision and sealing her fate, for good or ill. As Eddie cranked the car, Abby stared out at the road ahead which led out of town and toward the city. She knew now that her life would never be the same again. And that was okay.