The Broken Road

Chapter Seven

It is definitely way too early to be up, but I have a lot to do this morning. I'm sitting at the kitchen island on my laptop, figuring out this at home school opportunity with a few online teachers. I finish filling out the form; and my mom comes walking down the stairs, carrying her suitcase down with her. I knew they were leaving but I didn't know they were headed out today.
"All ready for the big trip?" I ask with a smile, closing up my laptop. I was actually happy that my mom was going with my dad this time, it's been a long time since she went out, and she deserves this trip with my dad.
"I'm nervous." She says, setting down her suitcase and walking to sit down with me. I flash her a smile while gripping the top of her arm for comfort.
"I know, but you waited so long for this, you're gonna have a blast. Everything is going to be okay! I got this mom." I say, wrapping my arms around her; and smiling for reassurance. After I let her go, I glance at the stove, it reads the time.

7:36AM
"I gotta run mom, I'm so sorry! I have to meet the vice principal today for a few things to get me started!" I say, rushing to put my belongings into my book bag and head out the door. I see my dad packing up the truck, he walks over to me as I put my back in the backseat of my truck.
"You sure you're gonna be okay?" I hear him ask. I close my back door and turn to face him. I wrap him in a hug, and open my drivers door.
"I'll be okay Dad. Take care of mom please." I say with a smile and hop inside. My dad flashes me a wink, and I drive off towards the diner.

"Stellar!" Randy says from behind the cash register as I walk into the diner. I smile at him and head over to order.
"Hey Randy, how are you?" I ask, checking out the menu
"I'm good; what can I get ya honey?" He asks
Just as I'm about to order Nathan walks in behind me and stands in line.
"Hello stranger!" He says and I smile
"I'll do a medium iced mocha latte, please." I say to Randy, and he clacks my order in on the register
"How are you? I seen you talking with Bentley, I didn't want to interrupt." I say to Nathan
"4.62 honey" Randy says, I turn around and reach in my wallet
"I got it!" Nathan says from behind me; handing Randy a ten dollar bill.
"You didn't have to do that" I say with a smile
"I'm gonna do the regular coffee, Randy." He says peeking around me so Randy can take the proper amount of money the once. Nathan and I grab our coffee at the same time, and stand away from the counter after he drops his remaining change into the tip jar
"Thank you." I say holding my coffee up for a drink
"Bentley apologized, he seems like a lost kid, you should ease up on him a little bit." He says with a chuckle
"I've known him since grade school, always thought it just made sense to end up with him. He had a tough upbringing but that's doesn't justify his actions. I want something more in life, and I don't want to be held back by violence." I say
Nathan looks at me worried, and then flashes a smile
"It sounds like you have it all figured out"
"Not really, but I'm trying!" I say with a smile. I didn't even notice the time, or how we are not sitting down at a nearby table together.
"I gotta get going! Thank you so much for the coffee." I say standing up, he stands up with me
"My pleasure, I'll see you after school? You work here right?" Nathan says. I forgot, Nathan wouldn't know I quit my job, and decided to uproot my whole life.
"I quit, my last day was yesterday. I have meetings after school to finish my last year online, while looking for a job" I flash Nathan a smile while walking toward the door
"Well, wait! Here, take this" he says, jogging over to me and handing me a small white business card. His photo in is the far corner, and it's packed with information, I just admire the card before putting it into my pocket
"I'm looking for an assistant. It's a basic job but if you decided you want to know the details; just let me know. My numbers on there." He says with a smile
"Thank you!" I say, smiling back before heading out of the diner.

I finish up my school meetings in no time. The vice principal says that I'll do fine with the online program, and that she's proud of me for taking this step. I still haven't told Bentley, and I don't know how I'm going to either. Tessa sent me a text message this morning, and I didn't get a chance to answer it. I told her bits and pieces last night before I went to sleep; but not the full story.