An Exchange

Chapter Fifty-One: Revelations Over Lunch

April 2005

Penny

We lined up to get our names checked off for the bus. Several parents would travel in a convoy, including the Taylor's with Jonas and Giles, and both Ray and Maria's mothers. All were waited for us to load up to head out. I kept scanning the car park for Ryan, hoping he would show up to join us, but as the bus pulled out, I felt sorely disappointed when he never appeared.

*

Giles

The car ride with Jonas started out obnoxious, and I had a feeling things would only get worse.

"Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall…"

"Jonas!" Pat threw him a filthy look.

"What? It's not like I'm drinking it."

Yeah, it would be a long trip…

*

Ryan

I hurried to pack a bag and head out. I'd miss meeting the bus, but I hoped I'd be able to catch up with it on the road. I looked at the two tickets, realizing I'd forgotten to ask Spencer to come. I thought about asking Kendra to come along instead, but Mom wouldn't allow it. As I ran to the door, Dad heard me grab some food from the fridge while he watched TV. "Ryan, where are you going?"

"Out. I'll be gone for a few nights. I'll see you on Sunday." I shoved an apple in my mouth. I headed to the front door and paused. Maybe I could bring him and he would tell me his secret. I pulled the apple out of my mouth. "Do you wanna come?"

He looked at me, confused. "Where?"

"California."

"California?" He gasped and leaped to his feet. "Why are you going down there?"

"Choir concert." I pulled out the extra ticket and showed it to him. "Penny gave me two."

"You're just going to up and drive down to California without telling us?"

"I just told you…"

He waved me off. "I can't just leave. You go."

I didn't know why, but I felt inclined to leave the ticket there for him. "If you change your mind, the time and place are on the ticket."

I rushed out the door to my truck.

*

Penny

On the bus we ran through our songs we were performing. It was a long drive and we stopped several times along the way to get out and stretch our legs. Each time I scanned the convoy for Ryan, but never saw his red truck.

As we entered L.A. in the evening, I found myself again feeling disappointed by its lack of glamour. It wasn't the city I was led to believe it was in the movies and music videos. Sydney was way more beautiful.

We arrived at our hotel and checked in. Maria and I shared a room with two other girls and, after quick good nights to the Taylor's, the boys, and Maria's mum, we hurried to our room ready for a shower and bed. We quickly fell asleep, despite how excited we were about the next day.

*

Ryan

I never managed to catch up with the convoy. I arrived at the hotel much later and the only people I saw were Marty's parents in the restaurant eating dinner. I approached them and they smiled to me, barely recognizing me. Marty's dad was a tall man with silver hair, and his Mom was a retired model of Puerto Rican descent. I shook hands with them and reintroduced myself, then remembered who I was. They told me everyone had gone to their rooms early to get rest for the big day ahead. I quickly called Marty and he told me there was a bed in his room I could use.