Run Away With Me

Chapter 1 (Katherine's POV)

"Hurry up, Katherine!" Race calls. He would want me to hurry up. Spot left for New York over a month ago, to look for a place for us to stay. Jack only got word yesterday that Spot's found a place. It's the middle of the night. I'm trying to shove my luggage through my first story window. I can hear Albert groan as I send out my 3rd suitcase. 

"C'mon, Katherine, how many clothes do you need" he whines. 

"As many as it takes!" I state. " Besides, that's the last one,". I don't have the heart to tell him that the first two were my clothes, and the one he has is accessories. Davey won't let me bring my phone though. Something to do with tracking, or whatever. I'm actually pretty surprised that Davey is going through with this. He can't bring Les, we all know that. He's too young, he needs his mother. But Davey loves Les a lot. It's going to be hard for him to leave. Jack's tried to talk him out of it, saying that his family needs him, there's plenty of opportunity here in Kansas. But that's not true, and he knows it. At least, not as much opportunity as there is in New York. 

Which brings us back to now. It feels kind of surreal. Most of the boys don't have much to leave behind. But for me, I'm kind of leaving everything behind. A life of privilege and comfort. A house. My own room. School, I am going to miss school. Not math, mind you. I will miss Kansas City. I was born here. My father was born here. My mother died here. I miss her everyday. But I'm sure she would've wanted this, in all honesty. She was all for unorthodox methods, as long as it made me happy. And it will. Once we make it to New York. 

I make to hop out of my window. I swing my legs out, and hesitate. I don't like heights. Not in the slightest bit. I know I'm on the first floor, but it's still a 3 foot jump! At least! Jack see's my hesitation, and laughs. 

"C'mon Kathy, let's get going!" he says. "You're not afraid of a little jump, are you?"

"No!" I protest. "A little," I admit sheepishly. He laughs again, and walks over to help me out. Jack helps me down, and as my feet hit the ground, I think his hands linger just a fraction of a second on my waist. Maybe he just spaced out. Maybe it was my imagination. Doesn't really matter though, not right now. I shake the thought from my mind and focus on the journey ahead. 

We've decided that we can't take my car. Another thing I'll miss. But it's too recognizable. My beautiful 2006 cherry red corvette. Les has given her the name Sally. She doesn't have enough room anyway. So, instead of driving in Sally, we're taking Frank. Davey's car. He drives an old 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. White, of all colors. It always looks dirty! But it'll fit us all, (barely). And we'll have room for my stuff, and the considerably smaller compilation of the boys' stuff. 

Yes, I know a lot about cars. My dad owns a string of dealerships here in the midwest. He just has a passion for cars. I suppose I like cars. But, unlike my father's desire, I don't want to take over for him when he's done. My mom always supported my dreams though. I really want to go into reporting. That's why I was okay with going to New York. A city of dreams. A place to be whatever you feel like. I think that'll be good for the boys too. A lot of them have been shoved into a box, restricted by their less than perfect circumstances. But not in New York. Now I know it won't be easy. But it can't be much worse than how it's been . 

The boys have graciously given me a middle row seat. Davey is driving, and Jack has shotgun, (of course). Me and Crutchie are in the middle seats, and Race, Albert and Jojo all got shoved in the back. But I'm sure that'll change. The interior of the car is predictably very clean. But I'm sure that'll change as well. Davey, Jack and I are the only ones allowed to drive, so we have a rotation schedule. It's an 18 hour 40 minute drive. I think it's going to be closer to 20 with pit stops and what not. We'll take 2 hour shifts. 

Davey turns to us all

"Everyone ready to go?"

A chorus of affirmations echo back

"Everyone got all their stuff?"

Again, nods and yes'. 

"Everyone used the restroom?"

The entire back row quickly unbuckles and gets out. Jack and Davey chuckle in the front row. I can't believe we're finally doing this. Jack's been talking for months how New York is where it's at, how great it is there. How big everything is. Only recently did we start seriously talking about it. Davey graduated early, last year. Jack and I graduated this year. We purposely waited 'til the summer to leave. Crutchie insists that he doesn't need to graduate, and the other 3 are overjoyed that they don't have to graduate. Jojo and Albert could probably get into a small college if they wanted, and Race could probably go really far if he tried. 

And so we begun planning. Davey, Jack and I are legally adults, so we can do as we please. Race's got another month or so. The others are at least 3 months out. But, sadly, we don't think they're going to be looked for very hard. And so we planned. So now that Spot's found us a place, we can go. 

Albert, Jojo and Race all get back in the car. Davey puts the car in drive, and we start pulling out. This is crazy! But here I am, all the same. Me, Katherine Andi Plumber. Leaving Kansas. Heading out into the world. The last thing I see before I nod off is a sign that says "Leaving Kansas. Come Again Soon!".