Chapter 3 - Caoimhe
It's so cool that mommy's letting me drive while she sleeps, but I haven't gotten a single word out of her about where we're going. Driving south and leaving Michigan behind, that's all I know, but I want to know more. Like, where are we going?
There was no address on the brochure and I couldn't find shit on the net. Is this place even real? How can something exist that's not online? It doesn't matter, since we're going somewhere and I'm driving. I love driving and need to show her that I'm responsible enough to have my own car.
Mommy's starting to wake and Michigan is hours behind us. I want to ask her again, but I'm also hungry and I see a place up ahead to get lunch. I can still taste that breakfast and wish I couldn't. I need to brush my teeth, or at least gargle some mouthwash. Why does breakfast taste so good when I eat it, but not hours after?
I keep my eyes on the road as I ask her once again. "Where are we going, mommy?"
She lets out a yawn, but doesn't answer my question. "Are you hungry, Caoimhe?"
I can't believe she won't call me Cammie, damn her. "Yes, mommy. Where are we going?"
I can feel her eyes on my face, but I don't turn towards her, since I have to show her I'm a responsible driver. "Pull off at the next exit that has food. You need to take a break."
I shake my head and keep my hands on the wheel right where they need to be. "I don't need a break, mommy."
I need to pee and I need to eat, but I don't need to take a break from driving. I love the way the wheel feels in my hands. I have to watch my speed a little better. There, mommy, I slowed down. I hope you saw that. There's no reason not to get me a car now. I'm an adult and want to do adult things, like get a job and go to parties. I'm lying to myself a little. It's the parties.
Mommy's hand is on my shoulder and it feels good as she says, "Yes, Caoimhe, you do. Your body's not used to driving this long and you're already going to be sore."
I smile to show I feel fine and say, "I can drive all day, mommy."
We pass a sign giving us the city limits and I turn on my signal. Did you see that, mommy? I start to slow as I exit and head for the diner, since that's the closest place and I really need to pee. My bladder feels like it's going to explode.
I continue to drive perfectly for mommy to see, even if I do want to drive right into the building. We stop and I make sure to turn off the car first. Did you see how I parked, mommy? I made sure there are no cars on either side of us and know I'm in the lines. Maybe not quite between them, but close enough.
I release my seatbelt and take the keys as I say, "I have to pee, mommy. I'll see you inside."
I don't wait to hear her acknowledge anything as I rush inside and glad to find the place mostly empty. That means there's no waiting to get into a stall. Why the hell didn't I stop and pee at the rest stop about ten miles back? Fuck, this hurts.
I release my bladder while I try to think of some new means to get an answer from mommy. There has to be something I haven't tried. Shit, mommy, just tell me already. I'm so fucking frustrated I want to scream, but I won't. I can't risk mommy changing her mind. She'll do it, because mommy's done it before.
I wash my hands and use the blower on the wall. I don't like these things. Why can't they make one that works? Shit, guess that's what pants are for, but they need to invent something better. Give me the paper towels any day. At least they fucking work.
I leave the bathroom and see mommy sitting at a booth. I sit across from her and look at the menu. Fuck, I'm hungry and everything looks good, but I don't want the whole damn menu. I just want something quick so I can get back to driving.
She looks up and says, "Give me the keys, Caoimhe."
I let out a groan as I hand them over. "Yes, mommy. Where are we going?"
She gives me an odd grin that I haven't seen before. "We're going to eat and then I'm going to drive the rest of the way. Don't look at me like that. We're almost there."
I pout my lips to show mommy I'm not happy, but she did say we're almost there. What does that mean? Come on, mommy, give me something more than almost there. Shit, this is frustrating.
We both order something light, which makes me happy. I don't want to be here any longer than needed. Let's just get back on the road and let me get back to driving. You saw how I drove, mommy, and can't say I'm not a good driver.
I devour the meal as quickly as I can without actually tasting anything and mommy's getting the bill. It's starting to get a little crowded and I'm glad she didn't catch me driving a little fast. I don't want mommy to see me park when it's this busy. That's why I need my own car, since I need to the practice.
Mommy gets up to use the bathroom and leaves me at the table. She always wants to make sure the waiter or waitress takes the tip. Too many thieves, at least according to mommy. I'm not about to argue with her, not right now. We're almost there and I don't want to ruin a fucking thing. What does almost there mean?
Mommy comes back to the table as the waitress picks up the cash, which includes a good tip. I guess she's in a good mood, since that's a lot more than she normally leaves. Is mommy nervous about something? I don't know what it is, but there's something there.
I try to take advantage of the situation as we walk back to the car and keep my eyes away from the lines that I was supposed to be between. "Is everything OK, mommy?"
She stops as we reach the car and looks into my eyes. "Everything's fine, Caoimhe, why do you ask? And don't roll your eyes at me."
I wasn't going to roll my eyes, even though I should. "You seem nervous. Maybe I should drive the rest of the way." It can't possibly go wrong.
Mommy lets out a soft laugh as if I'm joking, but I'm not and she fucking knows it. "No, Caoimhe, you need a break. Now get in the car and not another word."
I get in and want to scream, but I don't. I have to show her I'm not a little girl anymore. Maybe she'll stop calling me that. I feel my eyes roll, but didn't mean to. I don't think mommy saw, since she didn't say anything. Maybe she's more nervous than I thought. Maybe that's why she left the tip. It wasn't happiness, but nervousness.
Mommy is really tense as she starts to drive and we leave another city behind. So much for short distance. Shit, mommy, just tell me where we're going. I see mommy's fingers tighten a little on the wheel as she turns off the freeway and stops at a gas station. We don't need gas, but guess mommy's being cautious. Maybe we're going someplace that doesn't have one close, which means we must really be close.