The last chance

Chapter 4 :

- Hey, look who's here!

- Let us through, I ask them nicely.

- And if I don't want to.

- We just want to check out.

They block our way. Then I hear a click and the two guys turn around. The manager points a shotgun at them. Raviere and I take a step back.

- Leave them alone.

- Come on, Gina, we're your best customers.

- If you don't all get out of my store right now. I call the cops and tell them two guys tried to mug two teenagers.

There's a big hush.

- Come on, Kyle, let's get out of here.

The two guys walk out the door. We can breathe now. We approach the cash register to deposit the items.

- Thanks for earlier.

- You're welcome," she replies, putting away her shotgun. I'm tired of them, they drive my customers away.

She scans the articles.

- I thought you had to leave.

- Our car broke down.

- Oh dear! So, how are you going to get it fixed? There's no garage around here.

- A guy offered to fix it.

- A guy? she asks.

- Yes, he's wearing a leather jacket and jeans.

She shifts her head to see who it is. Then she looks at me.

- Caleb Maldon is the worst of the bunch. He's the son of the President of the United States.

What's that? No, are you kidding me?!

- The son of the President of the United States!

- Yes, but they hardly ever talk to each other. He's on the outs with his mother.

- For what reason?

- He did time for assaulting a minor.

Excuse me?!

- Ah, great! A psychopath fixes the car. That's great news! exclaims Raviere jokingly.

I look at him. Do I look like I'm laughing?!

- How much do I owe you?

- Twenty bucks.

I put them on the counter and leave the convenience store with my brother. My brother and I sit down on a bench, while I stand.

- Why are you letting him fix the car? I'm sure we could have found a mechanic nearby.

- At the time, he was my only option, so I had no choice.

- Yeah, it's like Mom. There too, you had no choice.

What's that supposed to mean?

- What are you trying to tell me, Raviere?

- I don't know. Maybe we shouldn't have. Maybe we shouldn't have stayed with her.

- Mom told me to get out of town. She wanted us to escape and that's what we did.

- I know, I know!

- In that case, don't try to make me feel guilty!

- Sorry, I know you did what Mom wanted. It's just that I'm sick of staying here, eating BMs.

I smile. Raviere is quick to notice.

- Don't laugh.

I burst out laughing.

- When you put it that way, it sure is funny.

He laughs with me.

- All right, it's funny.

- Raviere, we'll leave when the car's fixed.

We both look at Caleb, who is looking into the engine. He's with his buddy.

- Those guys scare me.

- Me too.

- Well, I'm going to the bedroom.

- I'll go with you.

Inside the room, I grab my things and head for the shower. The water runs over my skin, it feels good. I finish my shower. I dry off and get dressed in clean clothes. I hear a discussion and leave the room.

- What's going on?

- It's a good thing you're here. You said you'd be here for one night, but if you don't want to leave today, you'll have to pay for the room.

- Our car broke down. We'll stay two more nights.

- In that case, it'll be two hundred for the two extra nights.

- That's really not cheap.

- If you're not happy, just leave.

As kind as ever. I reach into my jacket pocket. I've only got a hundred dollars left. I want to keep it to buy us some food.

- I only have a hundred dollars left and I'm saving it to buy food for Raviere and me.

- If you don't want to pay me. You're leaving!

- Can't we work something out?

- Either pay me or leave. The choice is yours.

A male voice intervenes. He appears.

- Is there a problem here?

- This bitch won't pay me!

Wait, what did she call me?!

- We never said we didn't want to pay you! Intervene, brother.

- How much does she owe you? Asks the guy.

- Two hundred.

The man pulls out his wallet and hands him the bills.

- Here's four hundred.

- Next time...

She doesn't have time to finish her sentence.

- Hey, you've got your money, so piss off now.

She's leaving.

- Looks like you'll be staying four more nights.

- I'd say that suits you," replies Raviere.

- Why did you give him four hundred bucks?

- You looked like you were in trouble, so I thought I'd give you a hand.

- We don't need your help!

He answers nothing. There's a silence, then he talks about the car.

- Actually, I just got off the phone with my buddy. The part will arrive tomorrow.

- I'm on it.

I walk to the door and close it. I know maybe I shouldn't have done that. But when he looks at me or I'm near him, I feel weird. I'd rather be away from him.

- I think I'll take a nap.

- Okay, I'm going for a walk.

- Just be careful.

He leaves the room and I lie down on the bed.