Goodbye, Good Girl
Page 6
“Good morning, I think,” she said, her knuckles turning pale on the steering wheel. “It’s Sunday. Where are all these cars going? Seriously.”
“Football game, maybe?”
“At eight in the morning?”
“Tailgating starts early. Good times,” Kyle said. He climbed across the seat and flipped head first, then straightened himself upright with difficulty and Kandace got a good laugh.
“Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up. You won’t be laughing when you’re flopping on the backseat.”
“I’m so tired that I won’t care.”
Kyle plugged in his phone and with electricity, it came alive with new activity. He put the phone to his ear and listened awhile. His face went pale, and his mouth hung open while he remained speechless. He set the phone aside. “Oh shit. What was I thinking!”
“What do you mean?”
Kyle stared at this phone, then something caught his eye out the window. “I’ll figure it out. Don’t worry.”
“Okay, well, find a spot to fill up. It’s your turn to drive.”
Kyle tapped on his phone. “Eight minutes away.”
Kandace sped up without thinking.
“What’s the rush, Speed Racer?” Kyle asked.
“I’ve wanted to quit driving for at least two hours, why?”
“I know you’re tired, but you don’t have to be mean,” Kyle said.
“When I’m this tired, I don’t know how to say anything nice.”
“I’ve got to tell you, we’ve got a problem.”
“What? Oh, no. Your mom called?”
“She did more than call. She wants me home this afternoon.”
“Can’t be. Does she know where you are?”
“She’s not completely freaking out, so she probably thinks I’m sleeping at a friend’s.”
“We’re like, ten hours or more from home. That’s got to count for something.”
“That’ll only piss her off more. If she thinks I’m close that buys me time, but… I don’t know. I’ve got no options with her.”
“We’re too far away to go back now. I mean, what can she do?”
“She controls my life—my car, my phone, spending money, everything.” Kyle snapped his fingers. “She could take it all. I’ve seen it. My brother lost it all once, and man… he paid big time.”
“You could tell her that I kept you.”
Kyle avoided eye contact and sighed. “She knows about your dad, but that’s only a sympathy for so long.” His attention turned back to Kandace. “I’m sorry. I hate it, really, but what else can I do?”
Kandace shrugged. “Ignore her. Say your phone’s battery was dead.”
Kyle pushed his hair off his face and stared out the windshield. He then used the visor mirror, poking at a pimple on his chin. When he finished, he said, “She knows I’ve got a charger in the car.” He paused, lost in thought. “Man. She’s gonna shit a brick if she sees where I am.”
“Turn off your phone then or at least hide your location.”
“C’mon. If she can’t find me, she’ll think I’ve been abducted by aliens and call the police, the news, someone. She’s hysterical. Then I’d be fucked.”
“So… what does she expect?”
He forced a laugh. “That I do what I’m told.”
“You’re hilarious. We can’t go back. Hey, when we get to LA, we should go clubbing. That’s hot, right?” Kandace said.
“You don’t get it. Seriously, I’ve got no choice. I’m in for it as it is. If I’m lucky, she’ll let me off because it was your idea and I was protecting you by going along.”
“For the record, that’s not funny. Harriet and I are a capable pair.”
“I’m not joking. I couldn’t let you go alone and drive Harriet, so I had to rescue you. Mom will go with that. She’s never had a chivalrous event in her life. She’ll eat that up.”
Kandace scowled. “I’m so pissed right now.” She stomped on the gas.
“Hey, easy, wild woman. That’s three lanes you crossed and—shit, you’re doing ninety! Slow down, slow down! Exit’s close. Stay in one lane, okay."
Horns blared around them as Kandace changed lanes and had to swerve to avoid collision.
“Oops. Crazy driver, sorry. I’ll slow down.”
“I wanna live, okay?”
“I do too. I can barely drive when I’m exhausted and out of my mind, see?” Kandace slowed the car and stayed in the exit lane. A song started and finished before she said, “I’m sorry, Kyle. I’m sorry I dragged you into this, but I don’t need you to save me.”
Kyle toyed with the radio, changing stations several times quickly before turning it off. “I didn’t mean it that way, okay? I’m sorry you’re mad, but… hey, it’s fine. It’s fine.” He patted her leg and smiled. His lips seemed tight. “I’ll figure this out. Get gas first, and I’ll call my mom.”
“Uh. Okay. But I thought you weren’t telling your mom where we are.”
“I’ll tell her I’m helping you.”
Kandace stopped the car at the first available gas pump. She pressed the car’s metallic START button to kill the engine and whistled. “Sexy. I like that. Too bad we’re not close to California yet. I’m jonesing for some sun and sand.”
“You’ve never been to the beach,” Kyle said.
“Yeah, I’ve been nowhere. I know. That’s my life until now.” She unstrapped and leaned closer to him. “But hey, you’ve never had sex on the beach before. So, there’s a first for both of us.”
“Other people are on the beach.”
“What about when it’s dark?” she asked, reaching for his hair as he flinched, staring at his phone. “Doesn’t that excite you?”
He rubbed at his pants and stared out the windshield. “I’ve got to figure this out first. Yeah. The beach… you’ll love it. It’s a blast.”
Awesome. Maybe you don’t want me either.
“So, what do you do there?”
“Beautiful weather, women. Don’t get much better.”
Kandace scrunched her face at him. “What?” She watched him for a beat, waiting for him to fix her confusion.
“Oh, c’mon Kandace. Bikinis. Everywhere. Sand covered and dripping wet. A cooler full of cold ones. All set.”
“Yeah, right. You’ve been there with your parents.”
“They weren’t always around.”
“Such a player,” Kandace said and rolled her eyes for effect.
“Nah. They’re too much work.”
“I’m getting out. So, you’ll fill up?”
Kyle set his phone aside and ran his fingers through Kandace’s hair. “For you? Anything.”
“Be careful what you wish for.”
Kandace got out and stretched, shivering as the wind engulfed her. She threw her arms around herself, rubbing her exposed skin, remembering her jacket in the car. She grabbed it from the seat and slipped it on while jogging inside. Hugging herself, she browsed random hats and sunglasses, medication, and shampoo. Kandace put sunglasses on her head and filled a coffee. She wished Kyle had been there to cover it, though it wasn’t much money. She considered that she might need every dollar she’d got.
No messages from her father. Her messages to him still said Delivered. A whole day gone since Clayton invaded her life and her father hadn’t even noticed.
Aunt Vivian had called and left a lengthy voicemail about responsibility. What was her deal? Of course she thought staying home made more sense.
She ate two obnoxiously hot Egg McMuffins at the smoky convenience store while Kyle brooded with his phone to his ear, as though stoned, his stack of pancakes had butter pooled in the middle, as gravity hadn’t taken the melted milk fat down either side. “I know, Mom, I know. I will work on that, sure… I told you, I’m out with Kandace… fine… she’s fine… we were eating breakfast, actually.”
Kandace couldn’t help laughing and had to cover her mouth and lean away from him, for fear of his mother overhearing her. He sat still
, listening and not saying another word for long enough that Kandace thought he might have mentally checked out.
What could his mother do? She had no way to make him come home. He was hundreds of miles away. She had no magic remote control that commanded him. Perish the thought of turning back after coming this far.
Kyle went on, “I don’t know what we’re doing… I know you need me at home this weekend… of course I’m heading back to the dorm tonight… yeah… okay.”
While she waited, she called her father’s cell again and got his voicemail right away. Full. What the hell? His voicemail was never full.
Who even had his number? Ginger. Of course, her mother would call, but who else? Coral, sure, but still. This hadn’t happened before and her inability to leave a message made Kandace even more unsettled.
Kandace turned her attention to Kyle, waiting on him to wrap up his call and eat so they could leave. He should vouch for her, but she accepted his mother’s happiness didn’t matter anymore. They weren’t going home. If they didn’t waste any more time like this, then they could be in California on Monday night.
Kyle looked as though he’d been whipped when he placed his phone on the table, face down. Time passed before he lifted his eyes to Kandace.
She hadn’t seen that sad expression from him, as though he’d lost a friend. She wanted to get even with his mother for hurting him. Finishing her coffee, she hoped that he noticed she wanted to go. “What is it?”
“I’ve got to go home. I don’t have a choice.”
“Wait, wait. I can’t go home. Babe, this is about my dad. It’s a big deal.”
“Hey, what do you want me to do? I want to go too, but it’s crap timing.”
“You told her where we’re going, didn’t you? Did you tell her why?”
Kyle shrugged. “What was I supposed to do? Lie? She’d find out eventually, and I’d rather not lie—”
“But did you tell her why?”
“I don’t think that would help.”
“Why not?”
“I told her I was driving you to California for your dad, would drop you off and then come home. I promised I’d be home by Wednesday.” He scratched at the side of his face. “She wouldn’t go for it.”
“Shocker of a lifetime,” Kandace said.
“Yeah, I know, but seriously, you can try to be nice. I’m disappointed too.” He paused a moment. “So… I’ve not asked because I kinda figured you would tell me, but… why now? I know it’s for your dad, but… why now all of a sudden?”
Kandace sighed and let herself cry. Kyle didn’t say a word. He studied his pancakes and waited until she finished.
“Mom’s in the hospital and a guy came looking for my dad. It’s kinda hard to explain, but my dad’s job… I don’t think it’s all that safe, I don’t really even know what his job is. Anyway, I’ve got to find him. I thought I could lead this man away from my sisters and my mother. And if I find Dad, he’ll come home.”
Kyle’s eyes were wide. “You’re making that up. Now? For real? This isn’t funny.”
“I’m not making it up, Kyle!” Kandace said. “You know me better than that.”
“Yeah, okay. I thought your dad worked in restaurants or something like that. So now you’re saying he’s some drug lord and he’s got a hitman hunting him? That’s nuts to go after him. I hope you know you’re risking your life for him.”
“Thanks. And I didn’t say he’s into drugs. What the hell?”
“Well, I don’t know any friends blowing town because dangerous men are after her dad. Sounds like he’s on parole or something. If a bad guy is looking for him, that’s gotta spell a big problem.”
“My father is not a criminal!”
“Okay.” He raised his hands, as though under arrest. “Look, I’m sorry for your situation, but we have to go. And I get you won’t like that, but it’s not my call.”
Kandace put her face into her hands, blocked out light and people and tried to think. “I can’t. I’ve got to get to my dad.” Her hands slapped the table, harder than she intended and Kyle sat back like she might hit him. He didn’t say anything for a while.
“I don’t know what to say other than the obvious. If I don’t go home, I’ll lose everything.”
“I know. I thought I was more important. That’s all.”
“Kandace, that’s not fair.” Kyle shoved his hands in his pockets and sniffed. “I don’t have a choice. We should go so we can drive at daytime.”
“What do you mean?”
“Kandace, please don’t fight me.”
Kandace huffed. “Fine. Go. Make your mother happy. I can catch a bus. Or a train. I don’t know how much it costs, but I’m not going home.”
“Why not fly? Wouldn’t your dad get you a ticket if it’s a big deal?”
“If I could reach him on the phone, but I can’t. It’s complicated. And kind of a long story I don’t like to talk about.”
“Don’t like to or just don’t want to?” Kyle asked.
“Both.”
“I told you this was a crazy idea, but I went along because I care about you. And now we gotta go.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Kandace, c’mon. You can’t go alone.”
“I’ve got to. If it’s alone, then so be it.” Kandace stood, using the table for support. “I’ll be seeing you, Kyle.” She left him standing tongue tied. She got as far as the parking lot before he caught up with her.
“Let me take you,” Kyle said.
“To where? I said I’m not going home.”
“I’ll take you to a train station. Or a bus. Whatever. I just want to know that you’re safe.”
Kandace studied him. “I’ll be okay. Really. You’ve done enough. Your chivalry isn’t a waste.”
“Hey, seriously? After I’ve stuck my neck out for you?”
Kandace sighed and brushed her hair back quickly, pulling at her jacket. She shivered and held her arms against her side. “Go home, okay? Make Mom happy. I’m catching a bus.”
“Kandace, wait. For real. I’ll take you. I’ll drive you to the airport if I have to.”
“It’s way too late for that. There are no flights anyway.” Kandace paused a moment and looked around, shivered. “The bus stop for Metrolink is a block away. I can manage.”
8
Kandace left Kyle standing outside the convenience store. If he called after her, she didn’t hear him over traffic noise.
What was she thinking? She didn’t entirely understand herself.
She had to reach her dad, no matter what it took.
She sort of wanted Kyle at her side, and she was mad at him for quitting when his mother called. And where did he get off on saying her dad must be a drug dealer? She didn’t want to see him, not after he dissed her father and left her alone in a strange city to figure out her own road to LA.
Several minutes passed before she remembered her luggage—in Kyle’s car. She laughed at herself for being so impulsive and stupid. She refused to chase him. She had her purse, phone and a bank card, two hundred bucks to her name. She hoped she had enough to buy a train ticket to LA. She could feel time passing with each footfall and felt continuously like she needed to somehow go faster, as if she should attempt an insane feat to reach California quickly.
But what if her father wasn’t home? What if Markus didn’t find him?
She tried to focus on her new unfamiliar and larger-than-life surroundings—a city that felt as a big and scary and exciting new adventure.
She planned to take the bus to the downtown Amtrak station, then ride the train to Los Angeles. She could beg her mother for money if she ran out. Or Vivian. Kandace felt ashamed just thinking about being unable to support herself.
She considered calling Kyle for a ride to the station, thinking that maybe she could get him to pay her fare and get her luggage, but he might already be on his way. And if he refused, she couldn’t handle any more rejection.
Overcast and chilly
, St. Louis was a much bigger and busier version of home to Kandace. The sidewalk had the same cracks and weeds. The same short and squat buildings with power lines, weathered sides by harsh conditions, dropped along a hole-plagued four-lane road, cars driving no less than thirty.
Her phone played a familiar ringtone, one she recognized and at first thought she imagined.
Her phone slid in her palm, her finger trembling as she pressed to accept.
“Dad!”
Static crackled, and the connection went in and out. “Kandace? Are you… k? Is everything…?”
“Uh, I’m fine. Hey, a threatening man came to the house for you, demanding to know where you are,” Kandace said.
“Did you… call… police?”
Kandace stopped on the sidewalk. “Of course. But that’s not the point, Dad.”
“Kandace… worry. Take care… your sisters. Is… mother okay?”
He was so hard to hear. Faint, as though at the opposite end of a distant wind tunnel. Static was louder than his voice. “Dad, I can barely hear you.”
More static crackled and he said nothing.
“Dad, this man, Sean Clayton, he got in my face and demanded my phone.”
“…help.”
Did he say: hurt?Orhelp? “Dad, do you need help?”
“Are you…”
“Dad?”“Where… are…”
Is he asking where I am? “Dad, I’m in St. Louis.”
Static, then silence.
“Dad, can you hear me?”
Was he still on the line? The call timer advanced, one drawn-out second after another. She dreaded the thought to hang up and call him again—but what if she didn’t reach him? She waited and listened.
He was gone. The text messages for him showed as Delivered. Still not Read. What the hell? Wasn’t he calling from his cell?
Kandace looked around at the unfamiliar city, brushed droplets off her jacket, and thought about finding a place to kill time, even just a few hours. That way, hopefully he’d have a chance to call her again with a better signal.
She slipped her phone into her pants. She tried to let her mind go blank, but it raced like the traffic infested highway she’d been on only an hour earlier, high in the world, dead tired, but overjoyed on getting to California with her boyfriend.