Kissing In Cars // BEING REWRITTEN

XIII. Tangled in the Great Escape

Jonathan —

I typed, deleted, and retyped this message maybe thirty times. I don't know why I felt like I needed it to be perfect. I had a groupchat open between Syd and Luke.

I know that I want to hear what Sydney needs to tell me. I want to hear her entire perspective and her progress, but I also feel like maybe Luke being there as some sort of mediator would also be good. I don't foresee it going sour, but at the same time, he would be good to have there just in case it were to.

I finally settled on adequate enough message, deciding that if I wanted to meet today, I should probably just send the message. Wasting and hour on just typing the message had burned through time faster than I had even realized.

me: Morning. So I was thinking we could all meet at Jim's and talk everything out today at like 2? Ev is figuring out shit with the airline today so it'll just be us three, if that's cool. I didn't know if he needed to be there or something for this. Anyway let me know!

syd: yeah that works! i'll see y'all at jim's,
but shouldn't we do it at 3, since 2 is in
like 3 minutes? haha

luke: I was just about to say the same fuckin
thing lmfao

me: Shit yeah sorry. I didn't realize it was that close to 2 already. Lmao my bad y'all

syd: it's all good! i was just a little confused
for a sec

luke: You're fine man. Why am I being
invited?

me: I figured you should be there as a neutral mediator just incase shit goes crazy. I don't see it going crazy, but still. Neutral party would be chill.

syd: yeah that's a good idea

luke: Okay. I'll see y'all at Jim's at 3

syd: can we actually do right now?

luke: Yeah I'll head over now

me: Yeah I'll be there in 10

syd: sick see y'all in a few

I headed out the door of Evan's hotel room, after writing a quick note that I was heading to Jim's to meet and talk with Sydney and Luke. I sigh knowing this is gonna be a long conversation.

The drive over there was short and uneventful. It stopped snowing yesterday, and already everything was turning into the ugly brown slush filling the streets. I sighed, scrunching my nose in displeasure.

I found a parking spot in the front, parking inbetween Luke and Syd, locking my car and heading inside. I see them sitting at our old booth from high school, a warm feeling filling my stomach. I walk over waving my hand.

"Hey sorry I took so long." I say. Luke stands up for me to slide myself against the window, Luke sliding back in.

"Oh, no we just got here, you're good." Sydney smiles at me. Carol, our favorite waitress from high school greets us.

"Well now, do my eyes deceive me, Jim, or am I staring at my favorite kiddos all grown up! How are y'all?" Carol gave each of us her signature warm smile. Jim poked his head out from the kitchen, confused but smiling once he settled on us. He went back into the kitchen before coming out through the door, wiping his hands on his towel, and slinging it over his shoulder.

"Lord, no, you're seeing 'em right, Carol. How the hell are you kids. Is Vanessa joinin y'all?" Luke looked at Jim with a sad smile.

"I'm sure she's here in spirit. She passed last year. Cancer got her, I'm afraid." Carol and Jim both gasped, giving the sign of the cross.