Read Online THE SANCTUARY by Cassandra R. Siddons - Free Book Online Page A

know the RV looks like overkill, but I want us to be comfortable. It’s a long trip and will most likely be my last hoorah. I might as well go out in style. Besides, it will pay for itself on what we save in hotel bills,” Lydia said.
    “We’re going to sleep in that thing?” Julia asked.
    “Of course, that’s what they’re made for,” Lydia said. “And it is fully tricked out, according to Derek Duane. Come see.”
    She opened the door and signaled for them to go inside. She didn’t mention that a commercial license was required to drive it. Lydia had to get the license before she was allowed to lease the vehicle, but there was no need for Julia or Sonya to worry about such details. She also neglected to mention that she had promised Derek that it would only be serviced by an authorized dealer. That was after he assured her that it would be so rare as to be a freak occurrence for the RV to break down.
    “These babies are built for endurance,” he had said as he smacked the side of the vehicle and smiled broadly.
    “Wow,” gasped Sonya when she saw the interior. “It really is something, isn’t it?”
    “That’s where we will put our clothes and incidentals,” Lydia explained as she pointed to the first door to the left, which was a closet. “The luggage, folding chairs, and stuff like that will go in the space underneath the camper. There’s a door underneath the main panel that lifts up for easy loading. The second door is to the bathroom. It has a little shower, sink, and toilet. It has everything we need.”
    She led them to the front of the RV, which held two seats: one for the driver and one for the passenger, as well as a little pull-down seat behind those chairs. It was secured to the wall to allow a clear path to the front of the vehicle.
    To the right was the kitchen/living/sleeping area. The kitchenette contained a small stove with a microwave above it. Beside the stove sat a small refrigerator and some pantry space above it. Just past the kitchenette was a booth. Beyond that there were two couches, one on each side of the camper. Above them were two bunk beds that pulled out of the wall when needed. The mattresses were small and thin but seemed fine for short-term use.
    Julia said that it seemed cozy, and Sonya said that she was sure it would prove to be an interesting adventure.
    “I don’t think you’re going to get Liz to sleep in a camper even if she and Lydia make up,” Julia whispered to Sonya.
    “I don’t know. Liz has always been the most adventurous of the four of us, but it’s a moot point. I’ve been calling with updates daily but still just talking to her voicemail. I’m going to text her with daily progress reports, but I’m afraid that she’s going to miss the reunion and her shot at a reconciliation,” Sonya said glumly.
    A few minutes later they stood huddled next to the vehicle.
    “I hereby christen you ‘The Beast,’” Sonya said as she swung the champagne bottle towards the RV bumper.
    “Wait!” Lydia yelled.
    Sonya nearly dropped the bottle as she tried to stop mid-swing. “What?”
    “What are you doing?” Lydia asked.
    “What does it look like? Christening the camper.”
    “First, I think that only works for ships. And secondly, that would be a terrible waste of a good bottle of sparkling wine,” Lydia said. “I thought we were going to toast our trip.” She pulled three plastic cups from her jacket pocket.
    “Good plan,” Sonya agreed as she uncorked the champagne and poured.
    “To our reunion,” Julia said.
    “To our road trip,” Sonya said.
    “To having the strength and courage to face whatever the future holds,” Lydia said. They clinked cups and drank the wine while studying their new home on wheels.
    “I brought something too,” Julia said as she unfurled the banner. “You’re going to die laughing when you see it.”
    Sonya and Lydia laughed and made the okay sign after Julia attached the giant “Carolina Girls Forever Reunion