We’re drawing too much attention to ourselves.
I glance out the window, and the bus is pulling away. My only choice is a ride with Luca and Ashton or stay in this small town until I can figure something else out.
“Good, finally some sensible words,” Luca grunts and climbs out of the booth. He cleans up the tray of half-eaten food, and I grab Zeke’s coat, heading toward the indoor playground.
Through the glass windows, I can see Zeke tumbling through the indoor jungle gym.
I reach for Luca’s hand, hoping I can convince him to take us someplace safe, far from Dante.
He yanks his hand away, as if I’m fire and have the ability to physically burn him.
Luca grabs Zeke’s coat in my hands and shoves the glass door open. “Come on, buddy. Let’s get you ready. It’s time we get back on the road.”
We stop at the hotel first, grab Zeke’s car seat and my backpack. I change Zeke’s diaper and use the bathroom before we pile into Luca’s car.
I sit in the back next to Zeke, who is protesting being locked into his car seat.
Dread fills my stomach as Luca turns us around and takes us back in the direction we came.
Breckenridge, Montana.
It seems there’s nothing I can say that will convince him to drive us to Vegas or someplace else on the map.
I sit in silence, trying to reassure Zeke and settle him down as he wails for the next solid hour.
“What’s wrong with him?” Ashton asks, glancing over his shoulder. He shifts in the front seat, trying to see why Zeke is hysterical.
I offer Zeke a toy, a snack, there’s nothing that settles down his screams.
He’s reacting the way I feel.
I run my fingers over his dainty hair. “I know, Zeke, I don’t want to go back, either,” I whisper. “It’ll be okay. You and me, we’ll get through this.”
I glance toward the front of the car, and Luca is white-knuckling the steering wheel. He shifts, tense, as he glances at me in the rearview mirror.
But he doesn’t say anything.
What is there to say?
He’s made it clear that he’s angry with me for leaving with Zeke. No amount of apologizing is going to fix what’s been done.
Besides, I’m not sorry.
I was trying to help Luca out.
I’m just sorry that my plan went to hell.
Two hours into the drive, Zeke finally falls asleep. He’s still running a low-grade fever, but the medicine seems to be helping.
Luca keeps the music on low, careful not to wake Zeke as we continue driving for a couple more hours before he pulls over to get gas.
He shuts off the engine, and Zeke stirs but doesn’t fully wake up.
Ashton steps out of the car and heads into the gas station, while Luca pumps gas.
When Luca finishes, he opens the front door and reaches for his phone. From the backseat, I can tell he’s texting someone, but I can’t make out what’s being said.
I think better than to ask. I’m not sure that I’ll like whatever answer he’ll give me.
