One For The Road

Chapter Nine

At 9:45, we finally found a nice little plaza full of shops and fast food restaurants. Heidi pulled in and found a parking space to keep the car. The tension from our previous conversation had mostly disappeared.

"I personally think McDonalds sounds really good right now," Heidi told us, and my jaw dropped.

"You're kidding," I scoffed.

"Not in the slightest."

"McDonalds is nasty." I wrinkled my nose. I'd had enough McDonalds to last a lifetime.

"Fine." She looked out at the plaza around us. "Taco Bell?"

"I'd be fine with that," Just said, and I nodded in agreement. With that, we hopped out of the car and made it toward Taco Bell with empty stomachs.

After ordering and picking up our food, it didn't take long to eat, but Just and Heidi were insistent on staying and talking for a while. I decided to leave them along for a while to run over to McDonalds to get a coffee since that was a more standard item on their menu. It didn't take long for me to get the coffee and return to Taco Bell.

I slid back into the booth across from Heidi and Just. Heidi eyed the cup in my hands.

"You went across the street just to go to McDonalds?" she asked. "You said you didn't even like McDonalds."

"I don't. Their coffee tastes pretty standard, though." I swirled my fingertip over the lid. "If I'm going to be driving all night, I'll need the caffeine. Are you guys ready to go?"

"Jeez, what's your rush?" Just teased. "Take your time. Enjoy your company."

I couldn't just take my time. My nerves were jumping with the need to see my dad and set things straight.

"Honestly," Heidi added, "why are you in such a rush? I don't even know what we're doing. All I know is that we're on our way to Idaho. Why? What are you planning on doing there?"

"I don't want to talk about it right now," I muttered, looking away. "I promise I'll tell you both eventually. It's just... personal. And I really do appreciate you guys coming on this trip to help me, but I just can't really talk about it right now. I'm sorry to rush you guys, but it just..." I trailed off, unable to find the words to finish the sentence.

"We understand," Just said. "It's okay. You can tell us when you're ready."

I nodded and looked down at my cup, my fingertip still grazing the edge. There was silence for a moment before Just and Heidi started up a conversation again. I wasn't listening. I was too busy brainstorming things to say when I encountered my father for the first time. All I had to do was channel my anger into something cohesive that would effectively and safely express my feelings. That was rare for me. I had the tendency to explode on a whim rather than actually considering the feelings of others. I hated it with a passion.

I guess I really hadn't thought this through at all. What was I going to do when I got to my father? Until this point, I had only thought of strolling up, saying something intelligent, and leaving with the notion that I had righted all of the wrongs he thought he could do. I didn't have specifics planned out. This wasn't going to work if I didn't come up with some sort of game plan.

"Chase." I jumped at the sound of Just's voice, looking up. He and Heidi were looking at me worriedly. "Are you okay?" Just continued.

"Y-yeah, why do you ask?"

"You look upset, and you're gripping your coffee cup like you're trying to crush it."

I immediately loosened my grip on the cup, trying to clear my mind.

"I'm fine. Sorry."

Just was still studying me as if he didn't believe me, but Heidi went on to say, "Well, I think we're ready to go if you are."

I nodded with relief, sipping my coffee and standing.

This was going to be a long night.

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this chapter is long overdue but it's just a filler im sorry hopefully the next one will be better <3