Run Away With Me

Chapter 18 (Jack)

Nothing is working. My brain is still processing a few moments ago. I hear words, but they do not register in my brain. She kissed me! All by herself! Oh what a glorious moment. But now she's on the other side of the alley. Did I do something wrong? Oh, Davey's here. He looks worried. And why is he breathing so hard? Kathy looks worried too. Did I miss something? 

"What? What do you mean, 'he's here.' And no one calls me Kathy," she points out. Even in moments of crisis, she's still stubborn as a mule. 

"Wait, who's here?" I ask. Both heads turn to me. 

"Geez Jack, weren't you listening? Katherine's dad." Davey sounds exasperated. 

"Ya, what about him?" Davey throws his hands in the air in defeat. Katherine closes the gap between us, and takes my hands. Not in a cute, loving way. More like 'you're a child and you need to listen' kind of way. She looks me in the eye. 

"Jack. My dad." She nods to make sure I'm still with her. I nod back. "Okay, he- my father- is here." This time I understand, and I just know my eyes go wide. 

"You mean he's here, at Medda's?!" Katherine nods grimly. Davey hangs his head. 

"C'mon Kath, erine," he corrects. "He wants to see you." She nods again, and follows him inside, leaving me outside. I want to follow, but I also really don't want to follow. I've never liked Katherine's dad, and he's never liked me. Really, he doesn't like any of us. He thinks his daughter should have more sophisticated friends. And I love the boys, I really do, but we are anything but sophisticated. 

I begin to pace the alley. Why is he here? Well, he's probably here to take Kathy away. How is he here? I don't know. We took all the precautions. I me- wait, take Kathy away? Can he do that? She's 18, which means she is legally an adult and no longer under her father's jurisdiction. Right? Right?! 

I run inside to find her. Everyone one looks so solemn, as if someone had died. 

"Where's Katherine?" I ask in a panicked voice. A few people look up, but only Davey answers. 

"You just missed her. Her dad's taking her to the apartment." I approach Davey, and everyone looks at me as if I'm about to smack him. Instead, I hold the palm of my hand out. 

"Keys," I say, barely audible. He quirks an eyebrow in confusion. 

"What?" 

"Keys! I need the keys!" I yell, probably louder than I needed to. He nods and starts fumbling in his pockets for his keys. 

"Jack," a voice says. I turn and see Spot holding the keys. I go to grab the keys from him, but he moves them out of my reach. 

"C'mon Spot, I gotta go!" I make to grab them again, but Spot eludes me. 

"Someone is going to need to come back and get these guys. Which is why I," he moves the keys again, "will be driving. Come on." Reluctantly, I follow him out to where the car is parked. The car feels like it's moving slower than molten lava, when really Spot is going 5 over. We arrive at the apartment, only to find that our parking spot is filled with a small rental SUV. Spot sighs and turns to me. 

"I guess this is where I leave you." He gives me a sad look. "Good luck." A lump in my throat prevents me from thanking him, so I just nod. I open my door and attempt to get out, but something holds me back. It's my seatbelt. My seatbelt holds me back. 

"You gotta-" Spot starts, as I struggle to unbuckle myself. He leans over to try and help, but I push him away. 

"I got it, I got it." But I don't got it. I throw my hands up in submission, and Spot helps. I straighten myself, and try to regain some self confidence. I nod to Spot. "Thanks."