Speed Queen (GxG)

Chapter 13: Truth Be Told

August, 1973

   It was late Monday night, Judy and I stood outside her barn, watching the tow truck driver load up The Rocket.

   "I'm gonna miss her." Judy said.

   I took her hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Me to."

   Then, the man walked up to us, handing Judy a few bills. "Two hundred in cash, just like we agreed." He said.

   Judy nodded. "Promise me you'll take good care of her."

   The man smiled. "Trust me, I'll have her up and running again in no time."

   Judy smiled back and shook the mans hand before we watched him drive off.

   We followed him down the driveway, taking a seat on the front porch afterwards.

   I rubbed the back of her hand with my thumb. "I know you'll miss her, but you did the right thing. We don't have the money or equipment to fix her up properly."

   She let out a long sigh. "I know and at least she's going to a good home."

   I smiled. "That's the spirit."

   She chuckled a little before cupping my cheek with her free hand, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

   "But, you should get going, it's gettin' pretty late." She said once she pulled away.

   "I know, how about one more kiss for the road?" I asked teasingly.

   She smirked as she leaned in for a kiss I definitely wouldn't forget until tomorrow.

   Then, the sound of a car door closing startled us apart.

   My blood ran cold when I heard his voice. "Angela Price!"

   We quickly got to our feet as my dad marched up the driveway.

   "Dad, i-it's not what it looks like..." I said sadly, but who was I kidding, he saw the whole thing.

   "Really? Then please, enlighten me." He replied.

   I felt tears starting to well up in my eyes. "Dad, please just listen, I love her... I love her so much."

   He scoffed. "You wouldn't know the first thing about it. Now get in the car."

   Judy stepped in front of me. "Mr. Price, if you would just give me a second to explain-"

   "I don't want an explanation from someone like you. It's three in the morning and I want my daughter home. Now." He said, grabbing my arm.

   I tried to pull from his grasp, tears falling freely from my eyes. "Dad, please."

   "Mr. Price-" Judy started, but he cut her off again.

   "Enough! Say goodbye to your little friend. We're heading back to the city at the end of the week." He said, putting me in the car before getting into the drivers seat.

   I looked out the window as we pulled away, seeing Judy running into the middle of the street.

   "Dad, please don't do this." I begged.

   "It's bad enough you're out after curfew, but then I have to find you like this!"

   "It's not what it looks like-"

   "Enough with the lies. First you bring that trailer trash, hillbilly into our home, then you hide this from me. Clearly you shouldn't have been trusted, I'm sorry I let this go on longer than it should have."

   I felt the sadness in my heart slowly transform into anger. Anger that has been bubbling on the edge since I was a kid and now it's finally boiled over. "I'm eighteen years old! You have no control over me or who I choose to be with!"

   "That is where you're wrong, as long as I am around, I will not let you live this sinful life and I'll do whatever it takes to erase it from your system." He replied sternly.

   Now it was my turn to scoff. "You know what? Fuck that and fuck you!"

   He suddenly slammed on the brakes, throwing me forward in my seat.

   "Jesus Christ, dad, what's wrong with you?"

   Well, I probably should've seen it coming, but I had more important things on my mind. Like Judy.

   My dad raised his hand, slapping me hard across the face. "Do not take the lords name in vein. Do you understand me, young lady?"

   I held my cheek, tears in my eyes. And, when I spoke, I spoke through shaky, clenched teeth. "Yes, sir..."

   "Good and don't you ever forget that." He said before continuing on his way back to the house.

   When we pulled into the driveway, I stepped out of the car before he could even put it in park.

   "Where do you think you're going?" My dad asked from behind me.

   "As far away from you as I can." I replied before throwing open the front door and making a beeline for my room.

   "What's wrong, sweetie?" Trisha asked.

   "Ask him." I replied before heading to my room, slamming the door behind me.

   I flopped down on my bed, anger and sadness swirling through my head.

   How could everything happen so fast?Without any warning. One minute I'm spending time with the woman I love, then the next I have to watch her disappear over the horizon. Just like that.

   Maybe if I would've kept better track of time, none of this would've happened. Maybe if I didn't ask for that last kiss, I could've avoided this whole thing.

   I placed my finger on my lips then, the feeling of Judy's lips starting to fade.

   One last kiss. I didn't even get to say goodbye. Hell, I never wanted to say goodbye.

   But, I guess I knew it was coming one way or the other. Once the summer was over, we were heading back to the city. There was no avoiding it either way.

   I guess that part of it never really sank in, because I don't think I wanted to leave. I wanted to spend the rest of my life in this small town surrounded by the best friends I've ever had. One of whom I loved more than a friend. One I'd probably never see again.

   I sat up on the edge of my bed then, speaking to myself in a hushed tone. "Who the hell was he to decide how I live my life? He has not control over me, no authority..."

   I rubbed my forehead as the adrenaline started to disperse, leaving me feeling weak and alone.

   'No control... No authority...' I thought as I laid back down on the bed.

   The more those two phrases swirled around my head, the clearer the idea became.

   If he wouldn't let me see her willingly, then I guess I would just have to take my life into my own hands.

   Even if it meant I would never see my father again...