For you, Lucy. (On Hold)

Chapter 4. First Night.

"Thank you so much Robbie Albert!" Exclaimed Janis.
Robbie stayed silent. He still couldn't believe how much his life had changed in the past 24 hours.
"So where are we going first?" Asked the 16 year old excitedly.
How childlike. Just like Lucy.
Robbie handed her a laminated version of his wife's bucket list. He'd gotten it laminated so it wouldn't tear. It was pretty fragile anyway.
"What's this?" Asked Janis in wonder.
"It's Lucy's unfinished bucket list. I found it yesterday on our anniversary and I decided to complete it with her." He said nodding towards the photo frame.
"This must mean so much to you." Said Janis, the excitement in her voice replaced with empathy.
Robbie nodded.
"Happy belated Anniversary,Robbie Albert."

"Thanks kid." He said gruffly. He wasn't used to wishes and greetings about his anniversary. He liked it.
"So the first item of the list is...camp overnight near a gorge. Okay." She mused and handed the paper back to him. He placed it carefully back in the pocket of his coat.
"I'm guessing you've chosen the Grand River Gorge for the first item." said Janis and Robbie nodded.
"You've been there before?" He asked.
"No, there was a school trip to there once but it had a fee, so my mom said no. My friend told me it was really majestic though."
"Yeah, I've heard that too." he said.
"I'd been so angry when my mom said I couldn't go. I gave her my word that I would repay her; and I never go back on my word, but she still didn't agree. Going now seems like such a victory." She said.
"You sound bitter."
"Well, why shouldn't I? She's ruined my life, while telling me, continuously that I've ruined hers. I've always listened to her and been a good daughter. Never have I heard a positive word about me come out of her mouth. I believed her when she told me I was worthless and an idiot. But that's of course until I began doing well at school and thought that maybe, I wasn't so bad after all."
"Okay..." said Robbie and Janis turned pink.
"I'm sorry. I don't usually talk too much."
"That's alright kid. You'd held it in for long enough. It's good to let it out."
"I agree. But you're almost like a stranger and it isn't really the best thing to pour everything out to a stranger. A man at that. No offense meant." She said and turned pinker still.
"None taken, but kid, almost a stranger?"
"Well, I know your name and about your wife and I'm willing to bet that I'm the only one who knows about the road trip."
"That's hardly enough to know a person but-"
"Yeah, I know it isn't enough but you seem pretty alright and judging by your walk, you've got a problem in your joints. I could take you down." she said and Robbie stared at her, flabbergasted.
"You..you're...you're quite observant." he said and she shrugged.
"I guess when you've lived a life like mine, being observant is a trait you can't risk, not possessing."
For the first time since he agreed to let this teenager come aboard his road trip express, he felt that he had bitten off more than he could chew.
                                ~~~

They stopped at a brightly lit motel about an hour later and decided to call it a night. Robbie paid an advance for two rooms and handed Janis one of the keys.
"Here you go, kid. Be up bright and early, around 7:00, because I'd like to start likewise." he said and she raised her hand to get the key when a muffled ringing emerged from her backpack. She pulled out her phone and muttered something under her breath before declining the call.
"Your mother?" asked Robbie gently.
"Ha! No. She hasn't even bothered to call yet. That was my best friend. I can't pick her call because she'll surely tell my mom. She worries too much." replied Janis.
"Won't not picking her call make her even more worried?" asked Robbie. He'd taken a liking to this strange creature.
"No, I can't risk it. What if my mom's with her. I know Marlene isn't beneath making my mom listen in on  our conversation."
"Okay, kid. I still think you should pick up but, do what you feel is right. G'night now." he said and turned to go to his room.
"Robbie Albert?" came her voice, softly and he turned back slowly.
"Yeah kid?"
"Thank you for agreeing to me coming with you." she said and he nodded smiling.
She smiled back and he was taken aback by how like Lucy she looked. Janis straightened her face and the eerie moment was gone. And so was Janis, who had closed the door behind her, turning in for the night.

Note
Thank you for reading this chapter! Please vote, comment and recommend if you liked it!
P.S the places are fictional.
New chapters ever Friday! Bye now!