A Ticket Out of Life

Chapter Thirty-Six

The weather was getting colder and colder and I could tell that the weather was changing. I could feel it in my body and I didn’t feel like moving. My bed was extremely warm and I didn’t want to wake up to do anything. I was lying in my bed with my eyes closed when I heard my door open slowly, gently creaking open. What is it now? I thought as I opened my eyes. I yelped a surprise and nearly fell off the bed before Lance grabbed my arm to support me. He was inches from my face when I opened my eyes. I glared at him when he started to laugh.

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” he said smiling at me as he calmed down from laughing. “You wouldn’t want to be late for school now, would you?” Grumbling, I allowed Lance to help me stand up and then he pulled me into a hug. “I’ll be waiting downstairs, okay?” he whispered in my ear before releasing me.

I watched him go and when he closed the door I allowed my huge smile to appear on my face. I walked over to my closet and stared happily at my uniform for Saint Albert’s. I dressed and then walked over to observe myself in the mirror. The uniform was looking big on me and my smile faded. I remembered what the judge had said about his son and I couldn’t help but feel somewhat guilty that I survived as long as I have. Perhaps God has something else in store for me, I thought. I smiled back at my reflection and ran a hand through my hair. I did not need to keep dwelling on this; I had more important things to do. I put on my shoes and headed downstairs. I walked to the front door when I noticed Jack was guarding the front door with his arms crossed and a strict expression on his face.

“What are you doing?” I asked as I raised my eyebrow with a smirk on my face.

“You are heading to the kitchen to eat breakfast,” Jack said as he brushed my question off to the side. He pointed to the kitchen and raised an eyebrow, not allowing no for an answer.

“Fine, fine. I’m going,” I said rolling my eyes. I walked in and found Lance sitting at the table talking to Aunt Maggie. I smiled as I walked over. “I don’t believe I asked for a wake-up call,” I said as I sat down and looked sarcastically over at Lance.

“Well I heard you slept till noon yesterday, so I didn’t want you to be late,” Lance said in a mocking tone. “You’re lucky I didn’t bring in some pots and pans.”

“Yeah, you are lucky you didn’t bring those in,” I said haughtily and he laughed. I stared down at my breakfast of eggs, sausage, hashbrowns and biscuits and my mouth fell open a bit. I glared up at Aunt Maggie and saw her smiling at me. She knows I won’t be able to eat this, I thought as I sighed.

“Want me to feed you?” Lance said with a devilish smile.

“No thank you,” I said as I picked up my fork and began to eat. Lance chuckled and I couldn’t help but to roll my eyes at him. I was able to finish the eggs and take a couple bites from the sausage but that was it. My stomach felt like it was going to explode from so much food, or rather more food than I was used too. After finishing up everything I needed to head out, I walked over to the front door with Lance right behind me.

“You two have a good day,” Aunt Maggie said. She smiled at me as I looked up at her. “I’m sure Carrie is dying to see you.” My smile grew wider and I nodded my head. We walked out the door and I was walking towards the gate when Lance grabbed my hand.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he said with a smirk.

“I’m walking to school?” I answered as I smiled back.

“Not anymore,” Lance said as he pulled me over to his car. “We’re driving.”

“Sorry to say, but I can’t drive,” I said as he pulled me. “I never took a driver’s test.”