Blood Sugar

Part Seventy-Five: Hit the Road

I grabbed the last shirt, folded it neatly and put it in my backpack. Everything was set for the trip Lara and me would start tomorrow and we were both pumped.

In the meantime, weeks had passed quite fast. I used the time apart from John to focus on my friends, I visited Keanu and Rio on set real often which was fun. I got to know the business a little better and met the production manager Rosie who was a lovely lady about 50 years old. She was about to retire from her job to spend more time with her family and she offered me to sit in on a few days with her on set when I got back.

John and me only talked occasionally. Catching up wasn't easy with his busy schedule, my job and the time difference. So much about talking everyday. Well.. it was okay-ish. I was keeping myself busy and looked forward to seeing him in May when they went on a break.

Loesha on the other hand was suffering way more. Flea barely ever called which frustrated her a lot. Plus she was alone with their baby and happy whenever someone came around to share company. So I did whenever I was free. She was such a sweet person but I feared their relationship wouldn't last long. She was already giving up on it piece by piece which was sad because they made such a great couple.

Lara was already sitting on my couch, ready to go. She was psyched up for weeks and now she couldn't even wait for me to take a shower. It was 7am. Way too early. I didn't bother her, took my time, even shaved my legs.

Then I went to the kitchen, opened the bottom drawer, took out a new pack of coffee, opened it and filled two spoons full in my little machine.

With the toothbrush in my mouth, I patiently waited for the water to seep the powder and make me a nice, strong cup of coffee. Lara was walking up and down my hall nervously. Then she threw her bag to the ground. "Ugh.. I'll go watch TV then", she said and sighed.

I spit out the toothpaste in the kitchen sink and cleaned my mouth. "Good choice", I yelled back. "I hate you", she grumbled.

I cleaned my toothbrush, put it in my bag and grabbed the coffee. "I'll have a coffee and a smoke outside", I said, took cigarettes, a lighter and the phone and went out on the balcony.

The sun was slowly showing up in my backyard. It was a beautiful and relaxing sight that I took in for a moment before I had a few pulls of my cigarette and dialed.

"Can you connect me to room 310, please?", I said and blew out some smoke. "I'll have a look", a young girl replied. Then she put the phone down and talked to someone. "Um... Miss Davis? I'm not sure if I'm allowed to", she said shyly when she got back on the phone. I rolled my eyes. She probably thought I was some sort of a groupie.

"It's the girlfriend", I said plainly. The phone was put down again and I almost had enough. One of the things that annoyed me the most about our long-distance relationship. Everything was a million times more complicated.

The girl on the other line coughed slightly. She sounded quite clumsy. "I'll announce you, hold on a second, please." Jeez.. finally.

After a while I was greeted by a warm laugh on the other end of the line. "This lady wanted to protect me from you", John said and laughed. I chimed in. "I'm a dangerous stalker, beware." "I know you are", he said and chuckled. "How are you, hun?" 

"I'm fine. Having my last smoke on the balcony before Lara and I hit the road." "Oh.. right.. that's exciting." "Yeah.. how are you? How's life?", I asked and chuckled.

 "Life's good", he said and paused for a moment. "The crowds are getting bigger and bigger though. It's scaring, Kaya. This is all going so fast. And I feel like I'm the only one struggling with this."

I pursed my lips. Then I felt a sudden pain in my back and cried out.  "What's wrong, babe?", John asked. "Um..." I looked behind me and there was Lara, stamping her feet and waving with her arms. "We gotta go, hurry!", she said.

"Was that Lara?", John asked. "Yeah.. I'm sorry. She's being a drag. She wants us to leave." "Uh..ok..", he said and sounded quite down. "I'm sorry. I know she won't let up. Maybe we can talk in a couple of days? When we both have more time? I'll be at my mom's in three days. Could you call her and tell her where I can reach you? I'm so sorry. Please don't be down, you'll be home soon. I love you." "I'll call your mom. I love you, too."

I hung up, rushed inside to kick Lara's leg. "What was that for?", I asked annoyed. "I've been waiting forever", she said and rolled her eyes. "Bitch", I mumbled. She hit my arm and looked to me resentfully. "You're the bitch." I smirked and we ended up laughing about it.

Excitement was rising as I turned the key of my car. Packed with two backpacks, a tent in case we wanted to go camping, a gas cooker and lots and lots of junk food, canned food and beer. And an 80s mixtape in the tape recorder.