All of the Stars Have Fallen Out of Line

Chapter 7: Bus

The girls had all of their bags packed, and organized in the front room; including Picasso's cat food and favorite blanket.

If it were up to me, the second we leave this place we burn it up in flames as well. Since this place has never been home to me. It took me a while to realize that home, in my world, wasn't a place, it's a person. Mom is home to me... so this arrangement of bricks with furniture inside, meant nothing to me.

Of course, that was the kind of rash decision that Red lectured me about. I hate that she focused so much on my recklessness she couldn't see that I was capable of getting mom back by myself. But I'm going to have to be content with all of us going, since it's better than her just going alone.

Dad's car only had five seats, and with Charlie's seat carriage, it made it very tight for Olive, Mauve and Topaz. I'd had everyone squeeze in after I packed all the bags by myself, while Red tapped at the gps or pretended like she was busy... the nerve of the woman.

When I was finished, I gently set Picasso on top of Topaz's lap before I got into the passenger seat myself. "Onto your boyfriend's?" I didn't look at her as I spoke, still angry she wanted to ditch us.

She pulled out of the driveway and ignored the question.

"My leg hurts! Olive get off of me" Topaz cried. Olive gave her a sour look and refused to move, making me realize it was up to me to break up this rising feud.

"Olive, shift over a bit. You definitely are crushing her leg." I told her through the rear view mirror.

"And then I have to deal with Mauve's bony knees digging into my side?? Heck no, she'll have to just be quiet because I'm not moving."

That's when I turned around "Today's not the day Olive, move."

She caught the agitation in my voice and complied. I know they wanted to ask how long they'd be cramped in the car for, but thankfully they didn't because I was ready to snap at anyone.

"Kevin's is three minutes away. We'll hop in his truck and get going." Red said, eyes unmoving from the road.

"And you know where we're going after that?" I asked her skeptically, honestly I was still really mad at her. I wanted to fight. Not necessarily in front of the kids but I was in that kind of mood.

She glared at me, and that was it.

"So your gold star plan is to drive around aimlessly until we suddenly, magically, find mom?" The instigation was killing her, but I knew she wouldn't lose her cool in front of the girls and Charlie.

"What do you suppose I do then? I don't have a any more pieces of information than you asshat." She mumbled the last word.

I picked at my short finger nails "You were literally going to run away and disassociate from your family with this boy with not a single plan. You realize mom could be anywhere in the world?"

Red started to look less angry and more defeated. She was being selfish, blinded by pressing emotions instead of actually clearing her head and really trying to find mom. I couldn't find a drop of empathy to give her even if I tried.

"So where do we go then?" She asked exasperated. Her asking me means she lost, and that's what got me out of my bad mood.

"We go back to the lab, this time unseen. We need more information. We have to look at all the recipients of the contract that sold mom. Look up locations or something."

Red looked impressed, but she said nothing except give me a slight nod.

"Movie shit, it's not rocket science."