Blank Skies

54

Rebecca

I switch lanes and take a left across traffic. I scoot closer to the wheel and my foot hits the gas a little harder than it should.

"Damn she's pregnant and drives faster than me." Hayden laughs from the backseat. I tuck some hair behind my ear and see my diner on the right hand side of the road. "Drinks on me if you want." I say pulling into the parking lot and park in front of the doors. I undo my seatbelt and throw the door open.

I slam it and walk up the two steps it takes to get inside. My feet guide me to the bathroom as my bladder is about to explode. "Hey boss!" I shake my hand, "Two minutes!" I run into the bathroom. Unintentionally I sigh I'm in relief as I finally pee.

I do my business and wash my hands, "Okay now what can I do for you?" I walk out and Angela is holding out the land line, "Mills is a no show." She says and Andre laughs at the annoyed look on my face, "I already dialed up Marty, he's just waiting for you."

I pick up the land line, "Hey Marty." I lean up against the counter, "I know it's your day off but I need you to come in." He sighs, "You don't have to worry about Mills, because he's fired." In a matter of seconds he agrees to come in, "I'll make it up to you bud, I promise." I say before hanging up.

I turn around and notice Andre staring at me, "You alright?" Andre asks leaning over the counter, "I'm fine I had to pee, but did they get something to drink?" He nods, "They're paying." He raises his hand before I can object, "They offered."

I sigh and fill a large to go cup half full with ice, "Tea?" He sighs, "Lemonade." I roll my eyes, "So difficult." He laughs and I pour some lemonade in the cup. I fill another cup with ice and tea for me, "Here boss." Bill sits a paper bag on the counter, "I didn't order anything." Andre hands Angela a ten dollar bill, "I did."

He smiles taking a sip from his drink, "Here's your change and the bag of fries." I watch as he pulls out his wallet and sticks the money in and the change falls into his pocket. "Don't worry there's chicken strips in there for you." He says smirking.

"Well I do love chicken strips." I say and pick up the bag containing fries. "Plus ranch." I smile, "Thank god." He laughs, "Um Angela," I pull her aside, "Marty is coming in, but it may be like twenty minutes or so. The babysitter or something." She nods, "Go, we got this."

Andre waits by the door, holding it open for me, "Let me know if you need anything!" I say as I walk out. The car is hushed when we get in, "Wow, y'all are quiet."

He nods, "I brought fries?" I hand the bag back and the immediately start fighting over the bag. I take a drink from my tea and sit it down. I turn the engine over, "You know we're way behind them right." Jeremiah talks up, "We can catch up." I switch gears.

"Becca, no." Andre says as I back out of the parking spot and make my way to the exit. I wait at the curb for an opening through traffic to turn. I hold my hand out and he hands me a chicken strip, "Let's catch them Dre! Don't be such a scaredy-cat." Kendra teases. I turn right and begin driving.

"No y'all haven't seen her drive the interstate! Plus we have to go to Shepard!" He defends himself. I take a bite of my chicken and switch lanes attempting to get around other cars. "Y'all are gonna get me killed." I roll my eyes and get in the turning lane to turn on the interstate. I wait behind other cars and Andre shoves half a strip in his mouth.

I turn across traffic onto the ramp. I speed up and put the chicken in my mouth, "Don't talk." I say as I flip on my turn signal. I hit the rhythm of the cars in the slow lane and instantly switch to the middle. I check my mirrors and watch a car come up the fast lane, "Come on grandma." I hold the steering wheel with a chicken strip in one hand.

The car flies by and I get behind it and take a bite of chicken, "You're not dead." I laugh at Andres expression. I speed up, "Just remember I can arrest you." He laughs drinking his lemonade, "Arrest me. I dare you." I joke and Jayla laughs, "Yeah I wanna see you do it."

I drift around the curves as Jeremiah laughs nervously from the back seat, "She might just kill us." I finish my chicken strip and wipe my hands on my leggings, "You are more than welcome to ride with someone else on the way back." I say tucking hair behind my ears.

"Okay shut up everybody." Andre says throwing his hands up, "Where is everybody else at?" He asks and there's a couple minutes of silence, "They're still on the interstate."

The person in front of me slams on their breaks making me do the same. I grab Andres arm pinching him against the seat, "What the fuck!" I slip into the middle lane and pick up enough speed to see the person long enough to flick them off, "Bitch." I cut her off and sped back up, "I hate old people I swear." I let go of his arm, "Are y'all okay?" I ask and I get a chorus of yes.

"Did you used to race?" Andre asks calmly. "What?" I ask taking a drink of tea, "You tried to switch gears with your feet and your right hand before she even break checked you." I shake my head, "No I didn't." He scoffs, "I watched you do it!" I glance at him and he's leaning towards me waiting for me to answer.

"I'd sneak out a couple times and race a couple people, it was nothing big or anything." He grabs my shoulder, "Are you serious right now?" I nod, "No one wanted to race me." Jeremiah leans forward, "Cause you're a girl?" I shook my head, "No I kicked their asses, they couldn't keep up." I shrug, "Whoa." Andre relaxes in his seat.

"I drove a five speed for three years dumbass I never raced anyone!" I laugh and Andre blows a raspberry, "Mhm. So if we were to race someone could you win?" I look at him and he's staring at me with a straight face, "Not in this car." I answer honestly, "If we were in yours, yeah I'd kick their ass."

"Holy shit." Jayla squeals, "You married a criminal." Kendra laughs with her, "Shut up!" I say laughing. The car goes silent, "I don't know if anyone noticed, but we just passed Aunt Cara." Andre hits my shoulder, "What!" I hit him back, "I can't believe you just beat my aunt."

I hold out my hand, "I'm just driving!" Andre shakes his head, "Aunt Cara is gonna kick your ass." He laughs, "We're all getting a lecture." Kendra laughs, "I think she's behind me." I cover my mouth and Andre turns around in his seat, "Oh shit! You're in so much trouble." He laughs, "Not if she doesn't realize it's not us." I say raising an eyebrow, "Excuse me?" I shrug, "She'll never know."

I switch lanes and ride behind a semi, "What are you doing?" I wave him off, "Don't say I never scared the shit out of you." I say swerving into another lane and weaving between cars. I get off on the exit ramp and Andre is slouched in the seat with his eyes covered, "I hate you."

****

We make it to the hospital just fine and see Grant who's going to be okay. He broke his arm and bruised his head but other than that he made it out in one piece.