“We need gas, too, so stop whenever you’re ready. Laike sent a bag for you. It’s in the back.”
“Aight. I’ll get it once we stop. Get in so you can get some rest, Lyric. You look like shit, baby girl.”
“Rudeness!” she shrieked, rolling her eyes as she opened the back door.
She turned back with a finger over her mouth as if to remind me to keep quiet. My memory was sharp, so there was no way I was forgetting something she’d told me just a few seconds ago. Without verbally responding, I nodded as I opened the driver’s door. I wasn’t prepared for what was waiting for me on the other side of the vehicle.
Like a sleeping beauty, Lyric’s friend rested comfortably in the passenger seat. There was a black cloth of some kindpartially covering her eyes but leaving the rest of her face exposed. Even with a quarter of her face restricted, the beauty was unmatched. I turned toward Lyric to inquire about the woman next to me, but she’d already laid down and closed her eyes – giving me time to linger on my passenger a bit longer.
With pecan-colored skin and full, brown lips to match, her features were perfectly designed by the man above. From the small opening of her mouth, I saw the pearly whites that were waiting for display.
I gathered myself and discontinued my lingering gaze to give Lyric’s friend the privacy she thought the black piece of clothing would. To help her cause, I pulled the sun visor down and extended it on the side, hoping it would add relief for her. I adjusted the seat for comfort during the ride and checked the three mirrors I’d be needing before tapping the buttons on Lyric’s stereo to find a decent station.
Before pulling off, I found myself giving my passenger another once-over.She’s a hard sleeper,I noted. It was the only way to explain her complete oblivion as life around her continued. Nevertheless, I knew she must’ve needed the sleep that she was getting, so I was satisfied knowing that she’d been able to sleep right through my entry.
I pulled from the space that Lyric occupied with some shit that I was unfamiliar with playing on the radio. Though I didn’t know the song, it had a nice vibe to it. With both of the women in the car attempting to get some shuteye, the calmness of it was perfect for the occasion.
Though I was in foreign territory, the direction I was headed in was obvious. To the right were only more federal holding buildings while there was an open road to the left. I made the left without thinking twice and headed for the nearest gas station. Before we got on the road, we needed to fill the tank.
It was damn near too easy to succumb to the tranquil ambiance. It wasn’t a cumbersome task at all. Mainly because it allowed me to acknowledge my thoughts, ones of freedom, future, and rehabilitation. I’d prided myself on not falling victim to the joint and becoming institutionalized. Though my body was locked behind the fence, my mind wasn’t. My time was spent in the books, heavily, to escape the reality of it all. The last thing I wanted to do was be set free physically while still being shackled and bound mentally.
Two gas stations sat across from one another, forcing me to choose between them. Because it was more convenient to choose the one on the right, I did. There were available pumps and a huge storefront for the girls to have their way if that’s what they wanted.
I rolled down the window to make sure that I was pulling up to the pump on the right side. The arrow on the tank displayed it, but I wanted to double-check. After confirming I’d pulled up on the correct side, I switched the gear to park. The shade provided that was courtesy of the gas station forced my eyes in her direction again.
And there she was. The serenity that was plastered on her now fully exposed face was priceless. What I’d learned was a shirt she’d been using to block out the sun had fallen from her eyes shortly after I’d pulled off the lot of Cadet Federal Institution.
I stepped out of the truck in the gray sweats and gray tee that was one of many I’d purchased while behind the wall. As I caught a glimpse of my reflection on the paint of Lyric’s truck, I considered stopping for a change of clothes before we hit Channing, but quickly dismissed the thought. I’d rather wait until I showered, rested, and went for a haircut before stepping into anything remotely close to my preference in clothing.
The back door swung open as Lyric stepped out. She stretched her long, slim arms until she couldn’t anymore. She stepped aside and slowly, carefully closed the door behind her.
“I’m going to go pay. Do you want anything out of here?” she asked, yawning.
“A bottle of water, two bottles of Pedialyte if they sell it, and a Twix.”
“Weird combination, but OK.” She turned her nose up at me.
“Document each expense, Lyric. I got you as soon as I get home.”
“Luca, I’m offended, but I won’t turn down any money.”
“That must mean Laike paying you already?”
“He’s not paying me per se. He’s just funding the trip.”
“Then consider it double the money for your time and energy. I’m going to toss ole girl something too for riding with ya,” I told her as I nodded toward the woman in her passenger seat.
“Just give her whatever you were planning to give me. Laike already has me covered.”
“Aight. Who is she anyway?” I probed.
With a shake of the head, Lyric shrugged. “I don’t know. Why don’t you ask her yourself.”
She was on to me and it was a damn shame how quickly she’d caught on.
“Na. I’m good. Just asking a question.” I tried covering up the lapse in judgment. Asking Lyric was the wrong route to take.
“Ummmm hmmmm,” she responded with a roll of her eyes. “I’ll be back. You can start pumping in a bit. I’ll pay for the gas first.”
