The Broken Road

Chapter Three

I couldn't believe that I actually got the job at the diner, and even though I am home now; the excitement hasn't left my body. I didn't get a chance to tell Bentley yet, because he was still working when I left. My sister was still here, helping my mother clean up from supper, nobody noticed me when I walked in but I was used to that by now. I was standing in front of my bathroom mirror brushing out my hair and getting ready for bed.
"Cute PJs." My sister said from behind me, when I turned around she was sitting on my bed, admiring my bedroom.
"It's so plain in here. You should get a poster or something." She laughed
I looked at her before sitting down on my bed beside her and crossed my legs.
"I'm sorry." I said, looking down at the purple blanket that covered my bed.
"Oh honey, don't be. I get it, I was eighteen once you know. I can understand how frustrating it can be." She said rubbing my arm gently. I looked up at her and smiled.
"You did miss my big news though." She started, my face dropped and my body became still; wondering what the news was. I kept my gaze at my sister's face as she cracked a smile.
"Jack and I are expecting!" She blurted
My whole body shivered and a smile flew across my face. Jack and Cora have been together now for twelve years, engaged for two, and trying to have a baby for what feels like ever. They're soulmates.
"Oh my god! Congratulations, I am so happy for you!" I say wrapping my arms around her. We sit for a minute and Cora begins to speak again
"We've decided that we're going to move up the wedding, for March instead of June. It just works better; gives us more time for prepare for the baby; plus I want to have the same last name as Jack and our baby." She explains
"I get it! I'm so happy!!" I say, looking at her.
The room is silent for a second, and I'm caught in my thoughts again. I want so badly to tell her about Bentley but she warned me last time that he was no good. I know she would support me, she always does, but she knows more than I do-as much as I hate to admit that.
"Anyways, I was talking to Jack about the old truck in the garage, it runs, works well; but it needs to go to the mechanic for an oil change. It's yours if you want it. I don't know how long it's going to run for, thats what I drove when I was in university, but it's better than walking. Of course, you'll have to pay your own maintenance bill."
"Thank you!" I say with what felt like every single bit of my body. I was covered in joy, so much joy. I was happy; for the first time in what felt like forever.
Cora gets up and starts toward the door, before turning back to me.
"I'll pick you up tomorrow in the truck, you can drive me back home and take it to the shop. I'll call them in the morning. Also, I saved you a slice of pie."
"Thank you, Cora. Really I appreciate it."
"You bet kid." She responds while finishing her exit out the door. I lay back in my bed, full of happiness; thinking I'm alone, and the smile doesn't leave my face. I always knew Cora had my back, but it felt good to hear some of the things, since she moved out; I've been so lost.
"Katie." I'm brought out of my thoughts and look to my doorway, noticing Cora is standing there again, she now has her jacket on; her keys in her hand.
"You need to talk to Dad about all this. I know it sucks, but you know he always has his best at heart for you." She says
I smiled and Cora walks downstairs, a few moments later after her goodbyes I hear the front door close.

I stand at the foot of the stairs a little too long, processing and thinking about what I'm going to say. My mom is already in bed, and Dad is dozing off on the couch watching Wipeout. I finally walk in the living room and he glances up at me.
"Katie." He says with a smile
I sit down beside him and he turns down the television, turning his focus to me.
"Look, I know you're upset about the car and I apologize for bringing it up at the table. I knew if I asked you, you wouldn't have let go, and Katie; that car had to go. Now I wish I could help you get another one, but money is just too tight right now." He finishes and stares at me, and then looks down
"I'm not mad at you. I love you." I say and he brings his focus back up to me
My Dad and I have a strange relationship, most wouldn't understand it, but we do. We never actually say we're sorry to one another, we cover it with an 'I love you' and carry on like nothing ever happened. Neither of us say anything else, he turns the television off and sits silently for a moment.
"Cora is lending me the old truck until I can find a new vehicle, and I got a job at the diner." I say
"Isn't that where that boy works? What's his name? Bentley is it?" My dad says sitting up a little taller.
"Yes. Bentley helped me get the job, and I know you don't like him but can you try to?" I ask staring at my dad.
"I have a date with him on Friday." I blurt out. I actually have no idea why I said that, it's not like I'm excited I just thought I should tell someone, felt like I should tell him.
"Can you teach me how to do an oil change? The truck needs one and I want to save as much money as I can for my new vehicle." I ask but the room is still filled with silence. My dad stands up, cracks his back in an old man fashion and walks toward the kitchen.
"Take it to the shop, if the only thing it needs is an oil change, we can do it together." He starts and I let out a sigh of relief, he flips the kitchen light off and is now standing at the foot of the stairs about to walk up to go to bed.
"I look forward to having a conversation with this Bentley on Friday." He finishes
I knew he had more to say, I wasn't getting off that easy. However, I'm relieved that everything is sorta working out, and I look forward to hanging out with my dad.