Chapter 20 – Vale #2
I laugh so hard tears fill my eyes. “You seem a little too happy about the toilet. Has it been that bad?”
“Well,” she says, drawing out the word, and I can tell she’s about to let it fly.
I’m glad she walked away from the group.
“Camping sucks ass. For a few days it’s fine.
Then you don’t shower and your boyfriend doesn’t shower.
You’re so tired by the end of the day. And there’s no sex.
But you don’t want to anyway because you both smell like swamp muck.
“During the day the packs are so heavy. It feels like you’re carrying a full-grown man on your back. And it’s so hot by day, and by the time night falls it’s so cold you think your nipples will break off with the barest wind.”
I make a face she can’t see and say, “Ick.”
But she’s not done. “Everyone got fed up. Clark’s parents were done, his brothers were done, we were done by the end of week one.
No joke, I think this whole trip has ruined our relationship.
I have a feeling we’re not going to stay together when we get out of here.
Currently that’s the least of my worries. ”
“I’m sorry it’s not going well.” I feel bad it’s not working out with Clark. He should have known camping with her for an extended period of time wasn’t a good idea. She’s high maintenance. Not the kind of girl who wants to rough it.
“Why did you want to go? Honestly, it doesn’t seem like something you’d want to do.”
Kat sighs. “I was worried Clark would find a new girl out here. One he’d be willing to break up with me for. I was scared not to go after he asked me.”
“Maybe it’s for the best. He’s going to school in Ohio to play football.
I know you, Kat. You weren’t going to keep it in your pants with a bunch of hot college guys around.
You’re the one who told me that,” I say.
You see, Kat’s a deep thinker trapped in the body of a bouncy blonde with no impulse control.
“I know. Anyway, I’m trying to get my dad to argue with the airline so I can switch tickets and go home early.
I don’t want to stay out here. I feel the walls closing in on me like that dude in The Shining.
I’m so desperate, Vale, that I’m reading!
Fun fact, I’m right down the road from the hotel that inspired that book.
I think they have ghost tours. Sounds awesome! ”
I laugh so hard, I snort. “I’ll let Gramps know you read a book. A ghost tour sounds like fun, let me know if you see any. I hope your dad can get you out of there. If not, let me know and I’ll get you a ticket.” I’d been saving every penny I had for half my life to buy a car.
“You’re sweet, but I can’t let you break into your hot rod fund.
I’ll figure it out. You be patient and, if things go right, I’ll be back early, and you can tell me all about wild nights with hot neighbors.
” We laugh, but I still hope nothing dramatic happens between them, especially when she’s two thousand miles from her best friend and family.
I don’t like the thought of her being alone out there.
“You're leaving,” I hear Clark say in the background. Kat is silent for a moment, and I wonder what she’s going to do.
“Vale, I better go. I love you, girl! My phone has better service here. So call me.”
“Love you too,” I tell her sadly. “Be safe. Don’t get into too much trouble.”
“I won’t. Bye,” she says, and the line goes dead.
I’ve just witnessed the end of Kat and Clark, but I don’t know how I feel about it. I’d known it would come to an end eventually since Kat and I had plans for debauched college fun, and Clark hadn’t been mentioned in any of those.
Right now, college feels like a lifetime away.
It’d always been my plan to go to Silver Springs University, but unfortunately, my parents put me in a religious homeschool program and because I didn’t start in kindergarten, I’m behind.
I was so frustrated by the entire situation that I’d secretly taken my high school equivalent test the first week I was back in Georgia.
Gramps didn’t know about it, but I imagine he’ll find out soon when a letter comes in my name.
I was tired of waiting to start my life. I’m confident I passed the test, but not as much about staying here. I didn’t know what would happen when I told my parents I was moving out. It would be harder to tell my father I was going to college. My father forbade it outright.
Perhaps it was time I asked Gramps if I could move in, but I’m scared.
As horrible as it is living with my parents, a part of me still wants them to love me.
I want them to accept me. The refusal to get a driver’s license is because I’m afraid to disappoint them.
I’m terrified of how my father might punish me.
I’ve spent so much time being punished in my life, being locked up like a prisoner in my bedroom, the idea of going back worries me.
For some reason it feels different this time.
I’m an adult now, so why would I want to go back?
Why did any part of me want their approval or their love?
The things my father did to me when I was little would have landed him in prison.
If he hurt me the way he used to, I don’t know if I could handle it.
I don’t want to think about it. I can feel the panic, that tightness in my chest, but luckily my phone chirps a message pulling me out of those memories before they can take hold.
Kat: Find out if Oliver has a brother . . . or sister. I’m coming home early if it takes me hitchhiking across the Midwest.
I smile down at the message. I take a screenshot of the text and send it to Oliver with the words, This is your fault, included. It’s not long before he replies.
Oliver: I’ve got a couple siblings. None who I’d bring here because you’d likely want to trade me for a younger, better model.
I laugh because there’s no way I’d trade Oliver Byron for anyone else. You can’t get better than perfection. But it gives me an idea. With an evil smile on my lips, I stare down at his message. This is going to be fun.