Dear: Who Now?!

Chapter 19

Almost a full day later, we pull into a shitty looking motel and park. Mom looks at it in disgust and pulls out her phone before typing on it for a bit. I look out my window and can't really see much besides the pukey looking motel in front of us. Just as I'm fearing for my life as well as the sanitation of this shit hole, mom starts the car and backs out before pulling out of the parking lot and heading right for a little ways. We go down a few streets and suddenly we're in a KFC parking lot. Mom makes no move to get out so I don't either; I just watch as she types away on her phone and looks around. Ten minutes later, a blue-ish green car pulls up next to us. Mom waves like a madwoman and get out. "Great. Another stupid reunion with more of her stupid friends!" I mutter angrily to myself before getting out and heading around the car to the group. "Ugh! Let's go inside!" Some big blonde woman groans in annoyance. Nobody says anything but follows her in. We all get in line and decide what we want. I decide on the KFC Famous Bowl, Cinnamon twist thingies and a drink. I don't bother caring about what everyone else got. 

As we wait for our food, we get our drinks and decide where to sit. We chose a booth in the back of the room by the window. Mom sits next to me on the outside while I sit next to the window. "Ophelia, these are old friends of mine. Morgan and her husband Taylor. They both say hi to me - Taylor more energetic than his wife but whatever. I mutter a quiet hello back. "Taylor!" We look up and see our food's ready. Morgan gets up to get it while we're stuck with Taylor. A minute later Morgan comes back and we all dig in. The three of them talk about summer, our trip so far, what Taylor and Morgan have been up to since the last time mom's seen or talked to them. Taylor tries to talk to me a bit and I try not to say much but he doesn't get the hint and keeps asking me things. Things are quiet for a bit until mom decides to speak. 

"Soooo I'm thinking of stopping by and seeing Joey." She stops and looks at the other two a quick second before continuing. "I mean - he said I could.." She stops and looks down at her food. Morgan rolls her eyes. "Does he still live around here?" She asks mom. Mom looks up quickly and says yes. "Right where he use to live. Never moved like he said he was going to." Taylor lets out a sigh. "Oh Jade!" He says jokingly, as if to lighten the situation. Morgan rolls her eyes again. "I mean if that's what you wanna do - your life." She tells mom before looking at me. "Is she gonna go with you?" I look at mom who answers instantly. "Of course! What else?!." She's quiet a moment before sighing and looks at Morgan slightly annoyed. "I know you don't like him and that's okay. The past is the past and I'm sorry but this is my life. I'm gonna do what I want, maybe I shouldn't but I am. You know how important he was to me at one point in my life." She ends and looks between Morgan and Taylor. Taylor nods but stays silent. "I just don't want to see you go through that again." Morgan says exasperatedly to mom. Mom lets out a quiet laugh. "What exactly do you think is gonna happen? I'm married." She gives Morgan a pointed look. Morgan lets out a bitter laugh. "Oookay." Is all she says before getting up and leaving with Taylor following behind her like a lost puppy dog. Mom turns to me, seemingly unfazed. "Let's hit the bathroom and head out. I nod. She slides out and dumps our tray then we head to the bathrooms and take turns using the one stall family bathroom. Back in the car she starts the car and looks ahead - at what- I don't know. "Here we go!" She says quietly. And off we go to this so called Joey's house that sounds like a big ball of trouble from what Morgan said. As we're pulling out, I hear Morgan shout. "If you thought she was bad with Blade, she's MUCH worse with Joey!" I see mom flip her off and we go out the way we came and take a left. I'm not sure what all the fuss is about but I'm sure I'll figure it out - or maybe not - Who knows?