Entangled

by Annie Brewer

  “Noah, did you hear me?”

  “No I didn’t. And I’m not interested.” I hang up and turn the volume up loud, cruising down the most boring highway. It’s been three hours and I’ve seen the same shit- woo hoo.

  Guns n Roses blare over my outdated speakers and my head bobs up and down. God, this drive is a drag.

  My phone rings again, as I reach for it, it falls onto the floor at my foot. Shit!

  I quickly grab it with the tip of my fingers and I swerve the car, almost sideswiping an SUV. I right the steering and wave an “I’m sorry” as the driver passes me. His expression is utter disdain. My phone rings again and I scream obscenities at the caller.

  “You better have a good reason for calling me. I almost wrecked.”

  “I just wanted to see how the drive is going.” The voice practically purrs.

  “Well, aside from almost getting into an accident, it’s been boring and long.”

  “I miss you.” I roll my eyes at her confession. She’ll have to get over it. We’ve been through it, more times than I can count. I should change my number.

  I’m not a relationship guy and I refuse to be. Why are women so naïve, believing that guys really want that? I guess some of them actually do. Good luck to them.

  Chapter 7

  Maddy

  I hate hangovers. I say that often enough and yet you’d think I’d stop drinking. At least it’s only on the weekends, unless there’s an event going on during the week but that’s not often. During the week I’m the responsible adult so I can save my irresponsibility for the weekends like most people.

  The rest of the night went by with no problems. Andi loosened up and had fun without her petty Derrick issues getting in the way. We all danced the night away. Derrick was the most sober of us so he took us home. My night was not successful, however. I pretty much camped out on the bathroom floor all night with a splitting headache. I finally climbed into my bed at 9 am and conked the hell out.

  Being that it’s Sunday, a day to rest and recoup before a new week begins, I’d planned on doing just that. But I was woken up with Andi informing me we were having dinner at her parent’s house.

  “Another Friends marathon?” I walk into the living room and plop on the couch and notice we need to repaint our walls. A favorite hobby of ours from our childhood.

  “Yeah, I fell asleep a couple of times the last time. I didn’t remember which episode I last watched so I started this season over.” It’s the episode where Ross says Rachel’s name instead of Emily’s. “Hey, I have a question.”

  I look in her direction, “I may have an answer.”

  “Funny. No, I was wondering why Joey never got married off. Everyone else gets married or has kids…and then there’s Joey, alone. Isn’t that weird?” I always wondered the same thing. He deserved happiness and love too. It’s like they just forgot about him. Aw, poor Joey Tribiani.

  “I don’t know why they left him hanging. We should write a letter to the director or screenplay writer and ask why they forgot about him. He should have at least been dating someone by the end. Instead they made it look like he’d die alone, so sad.” I stick my bottom lip out and she throws a pillow at my head.” I laugh and get off the couch to fix a bowl of Fruit Loops, I’m starving.

  “Ummm, you’re having a crazy hair day. You might want to fix it or something.” I laugh because I know she’s right.

  “I’m fully aware of my awful hair-do. I also know I was holed up in the bathroom all night and had no one to hold my hair back for me.” She makes a disgusted face. Landon would have come over if I’d called him, I know that. But I didn’t want to. I need independence.

  “I didn’t hear a thing.” It surprises me that as much alcohol as she had, she wasn’t beside me on the floor.

  “I’m a quiet thrower-upper. Anyway, new topic please?”

  “Yeah, Derrick’s cousin is coming in a couple of days. Apparently he’s trouble. I wonder what he did.”

  “How do you know he’s trouble?”

  “Uh, hello? Derrick told me he’s gotten into a lot of trouble in New York. Of course when I think of New York, I think “no good”.” I give her a puzzled look.

  “You shouldn’t judge a person before you get to know them. Everyone has a story, a past but it doesn’t mean they can’t change. Maybe that’s why he’s moving here, to change.” She snorts in disbelief. “Besides, I love New York. It’s on my bucket list of places to visit.” I get up and wash my dish before stalking toward the bathroom but stop to watch the TV. “It’s about time Chandler and Monica do it. They’re my favorite Friend couple.” I prepare for my shower.

  We pull up to Andi’s parent’s house. It’s a 2-story, red brick house with a big front yard and garden in front. Melanie has a vegetable garden in the back too. Inside the walls are a green color that brings out the dark green furniture and wood flooring. They have pictures everywhere, on the walls, mantle, and bedrooms-wherever they can fit them. I’m in a lot of them too, which makes me feel like I’m part of the family.

  “Maddy.” Melanie greets us at the door and we hug.

  “Hi mom.” Andi embraces her mother as Jim comes out of the house, ushering us inside. He’s looking slightly pale and I wonder if he’s sick but he’s acting normal so I make no mention of it. “So glad you ladies came.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it, Mel. You’re quite the chef.” I smile, inhaling the delicious scent of meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

  “Are the guys going to be joining us tonight?” She asks, setting the food on the table.

  “Uh, no. They have plans tonight.” Andi states. I set the plates and silverware on the table.

  Once everything is ready, we all sit down. “So, Maddy how is work?” Jim shoots me a sympathetic glance, remembering our conversation at the bar. I smile, pouring my drink.

  “It’s good, with some good days and some bad days. You know how it goes.” I take a sip of my lemonade, in need of a distraction, away from death talk.

  “I’m sorry to hear about the dog.”

  “Mom.” Andi intervenes, gesturing for her mom to drop the sore topic. I pat her hand in thanks and say, “It’s okay. And thank you. I knew what I was getting into when I started. The animals we do save make the ones we don’t worth it.” I pause, “Wait, that sounded wrong. I mean we can’t save them all. We try our best though.” I stop talking and fill my plate with food, my mouth watering.

  “How’s work for you Andi?” Her dad asks.

  “It’s good thanks. Same shit, different day.”

  Dinner is silent minus some small talk about a vacation her parents are taking to Virginia in a couple weeks. Mainly Jim talks about work at the firm, he’s a lawyer which, I know very little about so I keep my comments to a minimum so I don’t look stupid. They tell us Ella, Andi’s younger sister is coming home for Thanksgiving. She’s in school in California.

  We have peach cobbler and ice cream for dessert, along with coffee. After we clean up and wash the dishes, we set out to the living room to watch a movie. We all favor all the action shoot ‘em up, kill ‘em kind of movies. We settle on Young Guns, a classic. Come on its Lou Diamond Phillips and Emilio Estevez. Oh and Charlie Sheen before he went crazy. Yeah, it’s a great night with great people. It’s been too long since we’ve spent more than a couple hours here.

  “Well, it’s late. I have an early day at the office. Gonna hit the hay. You ladies have a great night. Thanks for joining us for dinner.” Jim gives us a hug and I can see he’s tired by the dark circles under his eyes and he’s still pale. I hope he’s okay.

  Andi and I decide it’s time for us to go too. We say our goodbyes and let ourselves out. It’s a dark, warm night. “What a great night.” I say as we get into Andi’s porche.

  “Yeah, it was nice being together again. I miss my parents. I feel like I don’t visit them enough.” She puts the car in reverse.

  “Me too.” I squeeze her hand and she puts the car in drive and we head home, b
ack to reality.

  Chapter 8

  Noah

  The second day on the road and I’m ready to be at my destination. Although it’s been a fairly easy drive, cruising at 80 most of the way with long stretches of highway, no real significant scenery except hills, trees, some mountains and land but that’s about it. My music had been my saving grace, keeping me awake.

  I finally, reluctantly stopped at a cheap motel in Little Oklahoma, Illinois for some sleep. The red bull and coffee had worn off and my eyes started to droop, causing me to drive on the shoulder a time or two, so about two a.m., I stopped to put my ass up in a room.

  I had the front desk call to wake me up. Now I’m back on the road, after filling up and grabbing breakfast food. I swear these little towns are so boring.

  “Well, it’s been uneventful here since you left. I was expecting a call sooner.”

  “Yeah, well I didn’t want to bother you. Plus some states don’t allow cell phones while driving and I didn’t feel like getting a ticket. But it’s been uneventful here too. The traffic was steady and I had my music on full blast to keep myself occupied.” I won’t bother telling him that I was talking to the passenger seat, pretending he was there. And I’m embarrassed to say, it actually helped. But then I forgot people were driving by and would see me talking to nothing and think I’m a freak and laugh at me, not that I’d ever see them again. But in my whole life, I’d never felt so…alone. It’s a strange concept. I hate admitting my flaws and fears and one of my biggest fears is being alone. I guess I just have to get used to it. Maybe this new move, new change will be the best thing that could’ve ever happened to me. Or it could the worst. I’d decided it can’t be any worse than living with my father, so I’ll just deal with it because since I left, I feel more free than I’d ever felt.

  “I don’t care if you call, it’s no bother. Just don’t fall asleep behind the wheel.”

  “I almost did and that’s when I stopped for the night.” I take a sip of my coffee, carefully maneuvering the phone on my shoulder while keeping my left hand on the steering-wheel.

  “What state are you in?”

  “I’m heading out of Illinois, into Iowa I believe and then onto Nebraska. Oh and my father called me when I’d first left. But that’s nothing important.” I take another sip of my coffee. “He pretty much told me if I left, he’s not helping me. I’m pretty much dead to him in other words.” I snort at that, at his fake “I’ll love you if you stay here under my control” bull shit.

  Spencer clears his throat, “Man, I’m so sorry. He’s such a bastard. I just want to beat the fuck out of him.”

  “Yeah, well we already knew he was an ass.”

  “I know, but to be so cold and heartless to your own blood is just-“

  “Drop it, Spence. I’m better off without him.” I snap without meaning to. I let out a breath. “I’m sorry, I just think we could talk about something worth mentioning. Talking about that man makes me want to pluck my eyes out.”

  “I might go into business with my pops. It’s not…definite yet, but it’s a possibility.” I smile, happy for him.

  “That’s awesome. Let me know if and when it happens.” I pass by a nice convertible with the top down. I’m checking out the wheels and notice the driver, a hot red-head giving me the flirty eyes. I smile and wave to her and her friend as I pass them. The highway is steady but I’m in my own lane, still cruising at 80. When a favorite tune comes on I tell Spencer, “Hey man I’m gonna let you go and concentrate on the road now.”

  “Okay, be careful. Holla at me later.” We hang up and I turn up the volume and jam out to Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.

  Still on Highway 80, I finally find a place to stop in Nebraska, to eat and to sleep. Aside from wanting to pass out a couple times and reluctantly stop to rest, the drive hasn’t been as bad as I thought it’d be. Still boring as sin, especially when you’re by yourself, and it provides too much time for thinking and reflecting, but it could’ve been worse. I check into a motel in a small town outside of Lincoln and crash as soon as I enter the room and change my clothes.

  “Mr. Parker?”

  “Hmm.” I moan into the phone, sleepily.

  “You asked for a wake-up call. It’s 7:30.” I mumble a “thanks” and get up around to set off for my last day of traveling. According to mapquest, I only have 7 hours left, which means I’ll be at my aunt’s house by late today.

  I fill up, load up and head out.

  “I was wondering when I’d hear from you.” A female voice responds on the other end. I pop some skittles into my mouth. Yeah, this drive has turned me into a junk food, junkie.

  “Yeah, it’s been a long drive. I haven’t really talked to anyone much. So I was calling to let you know I’ll be in late afternoon, early evening. I’m in Nebraska, leaving the gas station.”

  “Okay, get here safely. Call if you have any problems. It should be fairly easy though. You just stay on highway 80 for the longest drive and then a few small highways for a short distance until you get to Colorado-127, which will turn into 125. It’s not bad. Just be careful.”

  “Thanks. I’ve got directions, I should be fine. I’ll see you later then.” I plan to drive straight through but knowing me and the amount of caffeine I’ll be consuming during the duration of this drive, I’ll have to piss.

  I stay on I-80 for almost 200 miles. The most un-scenic 200 miles I’ve ever seen. When I get on CO 127, I know I’m going the right way. Not too much longer, I tell myself. I can do this.

  About 6:30, I pull up to a house that’s set just off the highway, surrounded by a hell a lot of land. It’s a small farmhouse, white with a wraparound porch, lounging chairs and a little table that sits in the middle. I’ve seen a house like this on TV but never up close. It’s cute and quaint.

  “Noah.” My aunt seizes the porch steps, greeting me as I get out of the car. She’s shorter than I remember, probably no more than 5’5. Or I’m just tall. I’m exhausted, hungry and I’ve got to piss so badly, I worry I won’t make it inside. I wonder if she’d be offended if I did it in her bushes.

  “Hi Aunt Linda.” She grabs me in a hug, startling me. I awkwardly wrap my arms around her back. I don’t really know this woman that well, so it’s going to take some time to warm up to her. Or I’m just so tired that I’m just weirded out easily.

  “Uh, please don’t squeeze me. I’ve had to pee for a while and I’m in need of a bathroom. Unless you don’t mind me going right here.” She steps back and smiles.

  “I’m sorry, I got carried away. It’s good to see you. My how you’ve grown into a nice looking young man.” I can’t help but notice how pretty she is, short brown hair and big brown eyes. She’s big-boned and it compliments her small skinny frame.

  “Come on inside.” I follow her up the porch steps and into the house. Her kitchen is to the right of the front door, followed by the hall that leads into the bedrooms. The living room is on the other side of the house with another bedroom and bathroom, which I’m guessing is hers. She shows me the bathroom so I walk inside and close the door.

  As I unzip my pants, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and check the number, making a mental note to call Spencer back, tomorrow. The bathroom is very foo foo, girly with pastel color walls, flowery towels, rugs, and soap dish and shower curtains.

  “I was going to help unload your stuff but didn’t see much. Did you bring anything with you?” I enter the kitchen, dazed. It’s been a long ass day, I just want to find a bed and crash…for a week.

  “I only brought a few boxes, just the essentials. I figure new life, new everything.” We walk to the car and bring in my belongings to the room I’m staying in and set them down, stacked. The walls are blue, only a TV/stand, dresser, bed and end table fill the space. It’s good enough for me.

  “Thanks.” I tell my aunt right before my body falls forward, onto the bed and blackness envelopes me.

  Chapter 9

  Noah

  The
drive took a lot out of me. I’m not used to doing so much driving, especially three days’ worth. I probably slept a whole day; I don’t know what time it is. Hell, I don’t even know what day it is either. All I know is I was a goner once I hit that bed.

  I stir when I hear voices outside the door somewhere. I sit up, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. Without thinking, I throw the covers off me and pad out of the room. Derrick’s laughter reaches my ears and I stop short when I reach the kitchen. “What the hell?”

  “Look who finally woke up.” My aunt sets a plate of bacon on the table. Gathered around are my cousin, a blonde guy and two girls (one blonde, one brunette-both hot) and my aunt.

  “Look who just drove almost three days across country. Give me a break.” I snatch a piece of bacon, shove it into my mouth and grin. My eyes drift over the girls, both of which are fixed on my cousin as if he’s the most interesting person in the world. I don’t know him that well, but I doubt he’s really that interesting. Finally, the brunette catches me looking, I quickly look away.

  “So, Derrick…are you going to introduce me to your friends or what?” The blonde chick looks disgusted with me but the blonde is just staring at me now.

  He stops talking as if he just noticed me standing here. “Hey Noah good to see you. I wasn’t sure you were ever going to wake up.” He pats me on the back. “Guys, this is Noah. My cousin I told you about.”

  “Oh so you’ve been talking about me, huh? I’m sure it’s all great stuff, right?”

  “If by great, you mean trouble and bad and player, then sure, it’s all great.” The blonde arrogant ass sneers at me. I already wanna punch him and show him who he’s messing with. “So Derrick, you were saying? Before your cousin rudely interrupted.” Derrick looks back and forth between us, stunned. My cousin sure knows how to pick his friends. “By the way, you should put some friggin’ clothes on. You’re not at home anymore.” I look down at my boxers and bare chest, hiding my red face with a sly smile. Whoops, so that’s why they’re staring at me. I catch the brunette staring at me again. As soon as she sees me watching her, her cheeks redden, I wink at her and walk away.