Part 27 (2/2)
”Yeah ... real nice.” Kate looks pensive.
”What?”
”Nothin'.” Kate chuckles. ”That's some kinda wonderful freaky relations.h.i.+p.”
The speedometer on F.M.'s truck reads sixty-five miles per hour. As they cruise down the highway, they come upon the Death-Wish Stunt Show RV in the right lane. Sylvia and Vernon can't be going more than forty-five miles an hour.
As F.M. pa.s.ses them he and Kate wave. Sylvia and Vernon stick their heads out of the windows waving, laughing, and honking away. Kate starts laughing, too. She looks back and laughs even harder. F.M. looks over at her and smiles. It's the first time he's seen Kate happy. It suits her.
Kate settles back in her seat, closing her eyes yet again... .
Outside the Burgundy a small line has formed, and Charles is checking IDs. Kate steps outside.
”Leaving already, Kate?” Charles asks.
”No ... just need a break.” She lights a cigarette as she leans against the wall.
After the last person in line enters the bar, Charles turns to Kate. ”So, how's it goin'?”
”Okay, I guess. I don't know, Charles, I get so confused sometimes.”
”What's so confusing?”
”Well, I'm supposed to go see my mom in Cleveland. Redeye flight tonight. I haven't seen her since I was ten.
”That should be nice.”
”Yeah, right. I thought so, too. Funny, I've been looking forward to this, but now I'm not so sure. I'm scared, I guess. I don't even know what she looks like now. And she sure as h.e.l.l won't recognize me.”
”I'm sure she'll be happy to see how you've turned out.”
Kate shoots him a look. ”That's a stretch.”
”You'll probably be surprised at how much you have in common, even if you haven't been in touch. Family is like that.”
Kate chuckles wryly. ”Maybe that's what I'm afraid of... .”
The radio's turned up loud to compete with the road noise from the pickup truck's open windows, waking Kate from her reverie. She takes off her shoes and wriggles her toes. She looks at F.M. for a long while.
”Mind if I draw your picture?”
”Me?”
”See anybody else around here?”
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