Started With a Lie

Chapter Twenty-Three

Started With a Lie: Chapter Twenty-Three

And so on this cold spring morning, Mark and I end up huddling in the backseat of Lee’s expensive black car. He had called someone and this mysterious man appeared with his car. Lee was impeccably rude to the man, didn’t even say thanks or nothing. We just hopped in the car.

            “You could’ve at least thanked him,” I whisper to Lee. He’s squished to my right while Mark is on my left. “You’re so rude.”

            Lee has an appalled look on his face. “Why should I thank him?”

            “Well, if you haven’t noticed, it’s kind of, like, eight-thirty in the morning and it’s freezing. Poor guy was probably sleeping or eating breakfast with his family and you just called him out here and made him drive us to Wal-mart.”

            “Again,” Lee says, “why do I have to apologize?”

            I jab my elbow in his ribs. He groans to my pleasure.

              “Because it’d be the human thing to do,” I tell him.

           “You’re awfully abusive lately,” he says. “Winging that door out at me, breaking my ribs, etc. Maybe I should get you some help.”

          I start laughing sarcastically. “You’re the one who needs help. Now, thank the kind mystery man for coming out here. I’m pretty sure he has better things to do than drive us around.” Lee says nothing for a moment and then catches me glaring at him. “Hurry up.”

            Lee sighs and his eyes shift nervously. He leans forward and taps the driver. The man casts a slide glance at him as if asking what Lee needs. Lee licks his lips and sighs again. How hard is it to say a simple thank-you?

             “Um,” Lee starts, “listen. T-thanks for driving us.”

            The driver turns his head around completely – faster than anyone I’ve ever seen whipping their head around. I’m surprised he doesn’t have whiplash or something. The man starts coughing and looks up at Lee with confused eyes. “Uh, thank you, sir.”

           “See!” I say, smiling. I had no idea Lee would actually do it. “That wasn’t that hard, now was it?” Lee looks back at me, trying not to smile but he does anyways. “You make Mama proud.”

          His smile slips off his face.

            Wait. Did I say something wrong?

            I turn to Mark, who’s staring at Lee with concern on his face. Mark with concern on his face to Lee? What am I missing here? Lee faces away to the window, resting his cheek on the window. Did I do something wrong?

           “It’s best not to talk about family around him,” Mark whispers moments later. And so the rest of the car ride continues in utter silence.

“Thanks for the ride!” I tell the driver when we pull up at the almost empty parking lot of Wal-mart. It’s a little warmer outside when I unbuckle myself and stand outside. There are about five or six cars in the parking lot and Wal-mart’s logo is lit up except for the t.

            Lee and Mark start walking to the entrance at different paces. Mark is basically running to the store while Lee has his hands stuffed in his pocket and walking slowly. I catch up to him. I feel like I owe him something due to my horrible mouth in the car.