Romani Prince

Chapter 30: The Accident

My father scans my face, trying to read my thoughts.

"Are you sure that you want to leave? This was your best chance for happiness."

I hold his firm gaze the best that I can. "My decision has been made, father. Jeremy understands that. Why can't you?"

He points to the car, seemingly unimpressed with my answer. "We'll talk about this later."

I take my usual place at the passenger seat.

My mother checks me up and down with a look of disgust on her face.

"I for one, am very happy that this didn't work out. Look at you! It's been only a few days and they already turned you into... I don't even know how to describe... this!" She looks away. Her face is bright red with outrage.

I smile inwardly, wondering what she would have thought of the black hat that I left on the hook behind the front door.

Jeremy... My eyes search avidly for him as the car moves down the mile-long driveway.

And then, I see him...

My sad cowboy is just sitting there... He doesn't look at the car but allows me to see him one last time.

I shouldn't want to cry... but the weight squeezing down on my chest and crushing my heart is... too overwhelming.

Jeremy finally meets with my eyes as he stands up.

One touch to the tip of his hat... A sad gesture, saying goodbye.

Twisting my upper body, I place a hand on the glass, holding his gaze for as long as I can, until the car crosses the gate... and I can't see him, anymore.

I face forward, again, very well aware that I had just left a part of my heart back there... with Jeremy.

Somehow, the ranch with Gertie, the dogs, and everyone else felt more like home than the house I have lived in since I was born... With these cold and strange parents that I don't even know if I can love, anymore.

Lightning cracks across the sky in front of us, startling me, and almost immediately, a loud thunder follows.

With a slight shudder, I embrace myself while leaning my forehead to the window.

Fat drops of rain run down the glass.

Another strange adventure... Over. I think to myself.

I must concentrate on reuniting with Luka unless my parents come up with some other wicked plan.

But if we are going back to Monterey, then it is time to leave the nest.

Luka is my home, now.

My parents and I can still work on our weird relationship. But Luka is right... I am of age. It is time to make my own decisions and live my life the way I decide to.

And I want to live it with my Luka.

I close my eyes trying to hear his comforting voice in my ear... Feel his soothing touch on my face...

I turn on my mp3 and allow myself to daydream about our future together, and without the influence of our overbearing families...

Just us.

We can do this.

My eyes are closed and I am trying to relax but the heavy drops of rain hitting the hood of the car are way too loud.

Giving up, I turn off the music and pay attention to the road and the storm.

The two-way, narrow road is getting harder to see.