Late that afternoon a large black limousine pulled in by the gas pump. She could see the attendant talking to the occupants when he had finished serving them.

"Libby," he called to the girl, "these folks're going to Reno, and they say they'd be happy to give you a lift."

When Libby approached the car, the man stepped out and smilingly opened the rear door for her. Libby liked him immediately. He was in his middle forties with dark hair sprinkled with gray, and he had the warmest, gentlest brown eyes she had ever seen. The woman with him was in her early thirties with short blonde hair cut in a shag.

Thanking the attendant, Libby sank into the luxuriously cushioned seats of the limousine as it moved majestically out onto the highway.

"The gentleman at the service station told us that some man stole your money and left you stranded," the woman said, turning to look at Libby.

"He was a dirty, rotten bastard," answered the girl in a hushed voice.

"Well, dear, you won't have to worry any more," the woman said softly.

Libby liked her, too. They seemed to be the kindest-looking people she had ever met in her life.

"So you're going to visit your aunt in Reno?" continued the lady.

"Not really," sighed Libby, feeling she could trust these people. "I'm runnin' away."

"Oh, that sounds exciting," the woman smiled in a warm enthusiastic voice. "Tell us all about it."

The dam suddenly burst around Libby's pent-up emotions. Sobbing hysterically, she poured out the whole sordid story to the two understanding people in the front seat.

"You poor child," whispered the woman in a soft sympathetic voice.

"And that fuckin' bastard stole all my savings," continued the hysterical child.