Roadtrip to Yee-Haw
It takes one hour and fifteen minutes from Jersey to Mailview. Which means, an hour and fifteen minutes of someone’s playlist playing through the speakers of the car.
The designated playlist for the car ride is of the choosing by the turn holder. So, basically, my dad, sister, and I take turns controlling the music every time we go to Mailview. Which is twice a month, not counting the summer.
This time, Allison’s coming with us, so it was supposed to be my sister’s turn, but we all agreed to give it to Allison, because she was our guest. And then she gave her turn to me, because she doesn’t really care, and I care too much.
Which brings us tonow.
Just Like Heaven by The Cureis playing through the car, while we’re leaving the city and quite literally riding off to the sunset.
“Mads, can you at least put on some country music? We’re on a road trip to yee-haw after all.”
I turn my head to look at her, pursing my lips.
“Alls we’re going to Mailview, New Jersey, not Nashville, Tennessee.”
“It’s a small town with farms and animals included, that’s enough for a city girl like me to call it yee-haw. Now, let Carrie Underwood carry us through the country roads.” She theatrically says, and I end up giving up, only because she gave me control over music.
I queueBefore He Cheats by Carrie Underwood,and Allison nods, happy. Sure enough, when the song starts, she screams it at the top of her lungs, my sister too, but not knowing the lyrics and just playing it off beneath Allison’s oh so out of tune vocals. My dad laughs, and I lay my head on my arm that’s stretched along the car door.
“Allison, you okay back there?”
“Yeah, Mr. B.” She interrupts vaguely, just to come back once again to screaming.
“Did something happen?” He asks, and I pretend to be annoyed. I feel sorry for my dad, though; the only interesting stories about boys he gets to hear are hers. The only interesting storiesabout anything,really.
“You know, same old same old. Teenage boys have their priorities, and it goes like video games, the boys, their mom, possibly their dog, the girlfriend, and then occasionally, the girl they are cheating on their girlfriend with.”
“I didn’t know you had a boy-”
I tap his arm and make a gesture to cut it off, and he gets the hint.
“No, it’s okay, I have my priorities too. Like me, my family, my friends, the club, sports, eating food off the trash, andthenstupid skater boys whoneeded a little time to breathe.” My dadand I try to intervene, but she has more to add. “I didn’t know you could breathe when you’re eating Marcy Corten’s face on the school’s front steps.”
“Okay, please keep in mind we have a twelve-year-old in the car.” I remind my enraged best friend. I get it, and to be honest, she waswayworse four months ago, freshly dumped and humiliated. Post breakup — if you call it that, considering she doesn’t really have relationships, more likeflings— Allison was unhinged, andno onewants to go back to that time.
“You know, Mr. B, I would feel better if you let Mads come with me for a night out…”
I flinch.Theregoes my lie… I shrink in my seat and cover my face.
“I didn’t even know Maddie wanted to go out! Honey, you could’ve told me, you know I would let you!” He enthusiastically —tooenthusiastically — lets me know.
My dad would pay me to go out. We never talked about it, but he thinks I never go out because I don’t like to leave my comfort zone, which somehow is connected to my mom leaving…?
“Tonight we need time to settle in, but tomorrow is fine, and maybe the day after if you really like it.”
I have to say yes. For my dad. He’s going to enjoy thiswaymore than I, but I’d do anything to make him happy, even if it means breaking my never list.
Oh yeah,I did such a thing.
I was nine, revolted and angry, and mainly scared, so I started putting together stuff I would never do. No one was ever gonna see it, or at least I tried for it not to be seen.
“Okay, I’ll go,butyou have to promise to do one of the things I actually wanna do off my summer bucket list.”
“You’re not making me read, are you?Please.”
“You underestimate books. They are the gate to an alternative reality opposed…”
