Chapter 7
It's seven when we head out. The bed of dad's truck, and Conner's car are fully loaded down.
"Big college kid" dad rubs Conner's head like he's a little boy. "Dad." he grunts, and swats my dad's hand away from him. I laugh loudly at the two of them while walking out of the house behind them.
Once I get in the car with Conner I start to sing "On the road again, I can't wait to get on the road again." and Conner interrupts me. "It's too early for that shit." I smile, because Conner's windows are down, and I know dad can hear him.
"Mouth!" He yells loudly before getting into his truck.
We pull up at a gas station, and before dad gets out to pump gas he walks over to ask if we need anything. We both shake our head, and I look over at Con. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm better today. I'm just focusing on all the good shit that's happening for me right now, and I'm sure Scar and I will be fine."
"Sure you will." I nudge his shoulder, and kick my feet up on the dash to get ready for the long trip.
Four hours later and we're pulling up at his dorms and Mom is sitting in her SUV waiting on us.
"Hey kids." She gets out, and gives both of us a hug before helping us to unload his stuff. "How was the trip here?" She asks my dad.
"It was good. Traffic wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be."
"Good". She looks at me. "How's your summer been sis?"
"It's been good." I'm trying to keep my head low hoping she doesn't ask, but she's about to anyway. "Since Conner is here, why don't you stay too for the rest of the summer?" Damn it.
"I don't know. I was hoping to spend a little more time with Dad because I don't want him to be alone since Conner is officially moved here now." It was a lie. Dad was okay but she didn't need to know that. "And Scarlett is having a really hard time right now." The one truth I can find.
Dad and Conner are lifting a big chest up the stairs and mom keeps talking "Well I'm sure your dad will be okay for a couple months, and why not invite Scarlett to stay with you down here for a week or two? Wouldn't that be fun?" It did sound like it could be somewhat fun if Scarlett could come with me. "I don't know. I'll think about it." I say to her.
I'm already spending this weekend with her. A promise I made months ago in agreement to me staying back home with Conner for the first half of this summer.
We finally make it up to Conner's room. The walls are an ugly tan color, and all he has is a twin bed, and a tiny desk big enough for a laptop, and maybe a small lamp. The bed on the right is already dressed in blue sheets, and a blanket.
"Are you rooming with anyone we know?" I ask.
"No. I think his name is Adam. I'm not sure where he's from, but I know he's also a freshman on the team." That's cool. He'll have someone to relate to.
We get everything set up in his room, then leave to go eat at an Italian restaurant that my mom is always raving about.
"We're so proud of you bub." My dad examines my brother from across the table, and mom leans into Conner in response to dad's statement.
"And before we know it, we'll have sis to be proud of too." My mom responds, and my dad says "We sure will, as long as she can make it to her classes in time, unlike work." Pshh. I can't believe he just threw me under the bus like that.
"Hey! I was only late twice!" I explain, and they all laugh while I roll my eyes.
"Jared, are you staying in town tonight?" mom asks.
"No. I'll drive back once we get done eating."
"Do you not want to tour the rest of the school tomorrow?" mom asks. She's so condescending sometimes.
"No, I have a car that I have to try and finish by Monday..."
Conner interrupts "It's okay. Dad and I already talked about it. He's coming down in a couple weekends to watch me practice and spend the day with me." He seems a little irritated with mom. That's new.
"Oh Okay hun." Mom responds back to Conner.
"What are we doing tonight anyway?" Conner is staying at mom's tonight with us.
"Ron bought a couple board games, and we have dominoes, and cards too if we want to do a game of poker or something." I love poker! Texas hold'em is my favorite card game.
"I vote poker!" I speak up, but Conner disagrees "No way... let's do a board game." I just roll my eyes. One thing I won't miss about my brother is how he always thinks everything should go his way, and mom usually gives him his way before me. He's her baby.
"I'm sure you guys can play both." My dad rolls his eyes at us.
We're finished eating after about an hour and we start to say our goodbyes to dad.
"Bye dad. Love you." I hug him.
"Love you sis. I'll see you in a couple days."
"Okie doke."
Conner skips forward and spreads his arms as wide as he can like he's about to fly off, and gives dad a bear hug picking him up off the ground.
"Dad, don't leave me." He jokes, and dad smiles back at him. "Oh son. I miss you already." then he hesitates for a second before saying "and be careful, and if you need anything you call me and I'll be here, and don't forget Conner that I'm so proud of you for all you've already accomplished. The rest is all you bud." They give each other one last hug.
Dad honks at us before driving away.
We make it to mom's condo. They live right off the beach on the fourth floor at Beach Front Condos. It's a two bedroom. Conner always gets the couch when we stay here. He's never complained about it . He's pretty awesome when he's not constantly getting on my nerves. I smile just thinking about it.
"I'm so glad you guys are here." Mom say's as she falls onto the couch kicking her bare feet up on the coffee table, hugging my neck.
I have to admit that I hold so much anger towards my mom, but sometimes I think it's because I'm just so protective over my dad, and little moments like this brings me back to before the divorce, and makes me miss her. I could sit here in her arms forever if I could ever get over the fact that she left us.
"Me too." I painfully admit to her.
Conner and Ron go outside to look at Ron's new motorcycle. I could never see my dad on a motorcycle. He's always preached to us to never get on one, and how unsafe they can be.
"How's your job going?" I ask mom. She works for a small publishers office a few blocks away. "It's going great." she answers "It's just so rewarding, and to be able to do my favorite thing as work... I'm just truly blessed."
"It is pretty awesome to be able to just read all-day everyday." I say.
"Oh it is. No complaints here." she winks at me. "So, have you thought about what school you want to go to yet?"
"Not really. I was thinking business as a major, but I'm just so uncertain, and unprepared." I frown at her.
"It's okay to feel that way Mora. When I was your age, I wouldn't have had a clue if I didn't love books so much."
"But you did love books. It was easy for you to choose your way Mom." I answer, and she stops scooping ice cream for a minute and stares at me before saying "You have a lot of your dad in you kiddo. You are so headstrong which is something I admire so much about you. I have no doubt in my mind that once you find your thing, it will be all of you, and you are so young. Just because you don't know what that thing is yet, doesn't mean you won't ever find out." She hands me a bowl. "Take this to Conner." she asks, and I head to the elevator to go down to the patio where they are sitting.
"Here Conner. Chocolate. Your favorite." I say sarcastically "Chocolate isn't my fav..." I cut him off. "Mom thinks it is" and he looks up with one eyebrow raised "Oh. Okay." and he takes a spoon full and shoves it in his mouth.
"Yum." and we both laugh. "Ron do you want me to go back up and get you some?" I ask Ron. "No hun, it's okay." and he pats my back and starts to walk inside. We follow suit.
Once we're upstairs we all sit down and play a round of poker. After about an hour, everyone gives up and finally lets me win.
"It's getting late kids, I think we're going to bed." Mom gets up, and starts to turn the lights off in the kitchen, so I decide to go ahead and go to my room and get ready for bed too. When I finally lay down, I text Scarlett.
Hey, if your parents allow it let's pick a week that you can come stay at mom's with me.
Really?!!!!!
Yeah, if you want to.
Yes Yes Yes! I'll ask mom tomorrow and let you know.
Okie.
Yay!
She's only been here once a couple years ago but has begged to come out ever since. She loves my mom.
The days go by pretty fast. Mom and I went shopping one day, and then Conner and I spent the rest of the time at the beach and touring his school before I leave.
Mom and I meet dad halfway home at a McDonald's sitting on the side of the freeway.
"Bye mom." I lean over to give her a hug. "Love you sweetheart so much." She hugs me tightly "Just let me know when you and Scarlett are coming and I'll get everything ready for you girls." She's excited that Scarlett's parents agreed. "Yes ma'am."