Seeing Blind (Rough Draft)

Chapter Eight

"I don't know why I'm doing this for you, I should be at home, asleep, or out with friends. Somewhere other than in your presence."

"You think I like to have to stoop to ask you for help? Well, I don't. I don't like asking people for help, especially people-"

"Like me? Black people? Just say it, you haven't had any problems so far."

"Like you, Black people."

"You couldn't have let me shower first? I smell like pizza grease."

"It wouldn't be much different than how you smell already," Avery muttered under her breath.

"I've decided that you just like to insult people."

She liked insulting him.

Ambrose veered off the highway, stopped on the shoulder, and shut the engine off before turning toward Avery. "Who or what is at this party that has you meaner than usual?"

"I'm not mean. And nothing, I just want to see my friends. Now, we're already late enough, why'd you pull over?"

"To get at least one truth out of you."

"I have friends at this party I haven't seen in a while. I miss them and want to see them and have some fun."

"You're used to getting your way, having fun." A statement.

"Yes, I am."

"They could have already left by now so let's stop wasting time and get a move on."

"Ambrose."

"Avery." A pregnant pause. "Why didn't your friends just pick you up? Would have been a lot easier on all of us if they had."

They wouldn't have come, Avery thought. She knew it was the truth. She was living in a wasteland, a dump and they wouldn't step one expensive shoe in this town even if someone paid them big bucks.

They already had money around every corner, why give up the good life? Why know someone who lived in Greenwich? This was revenge for Avery, but she couldn't tell Ambrose that, he'd just turn the car around if she did.

"I want it to be a surprise," she finally said.

"Why didn't you just ask your father, then?"

"He's working."

"So I'm the next person you think of?"

"Ambrose, no sixteen--or any teenager--wants one of their parents dropping them off at a party. But I guess you can't understand."

"Keep talking that way and there won't be a party for you to go to."

Avery huffed, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Is this how you get things at home? By pouting until you get what you want?"

Yes, Avery thought. She kept silent.

Ambrose shook his head, laughing silently. "You get too many free passes in life, Avery."

"I don't," she said defensively. "And I'll prove it to you."

"How?" Ambrose arched both brows at her.

"You'll just have to see." She didn't know, but she didn't want to let him know that. "Now, we are more than fashionable late for the beach party so let's get a move on."

"No."

"No? No? What more do you want, Clenten?"

"A please, Wainwright."