Chapter 26: ROAD TRIP

"..... So I came to ask for your permission" I concluded and stared at the ground to avoid meeting her eyes. Remember when I said I wouldn't be guilt-tripped into talking to Natasha? Well, I was wrong. Lucy bawled her eyes out and clutched unto my legs begging me with everything she owns. Despite my promising to speak with Natasha I developed cold feet right outside her bedroom and tried to get out of it. Lucy came up with a plan B. The noise of her wailing was irritating. Her voice only got louder and more annoying.

When I couldn't bear to listen to it any longer, I barged into their room. Unfortunately, I was stupid enough to forget to knock. Thankfully, she wasn't getting dressed or anything or I would have been six feet under. With both mother and daughter dancing in my grave.

" What are you doing here?" The person's eyes glared with fury. Oops, I get I disturbed her sleep.

She sure is a heavy sleeper if she hadn't heard anything that has been happening. How can anyone sleep through so much noise? Hissing, Natasha rolled over and buried her head in the pillow.

" I'm sorry for barging in but it's not really my fault. Lucy pestered me all morning so here I am. I would be going to visit my mother during the weekend. I can't take her with me without your consent, so I came to ask for your permission."

" Sure, whatever. Get out!" Her voice was barely audible as she was still burying her head in the pillow.

" Umm did you hear me properly?" I asked, puzzled. In this case, affirmation was of extreme importance. I don't want to get arrested for stealing a child. The chances of Natasha agreeing to my request were one out of a hundred. But she didn't without batting an eye. Talk about strange.

" I heard you and I said yes. NOW GO!" She yelled at me. Shrugging, I scurried out of the bedroom.

" So, what did she say?" Lucy pounced on me as soon as I got outside. Little traitor left me to face her mother all on my own. Where's back-up when you need one?

" She said yes. Which is rather distressing, thinking about how difficult your mum can be. But since I gave my word, and she gave her permission then I get we can go then. Pack your backpack, Lucy, we'll be going for a road trip."

Sounds of crackles and squeals followed afterward. Most definitely, this is going to be a very very very very long weekend {emphasis on very}.

" Are we there yet?" Lucy pestered me asking for the umpteenth time.

" Urgh. No Lucy we aren't there yet. Which is the same thing I told you 2 seconds ago. Now can you stop asking and allow me to drive? Thank you"

There were major disadvantages of going alone with her mother. Like extremely major ones. There was nobody to reprimand her when she fell out of line. And like everybody knows, Lucy never takes me seriously. I only hoped she would not give my mother too much trouble. Although, I originally sent a text as a heads-up before we left.

" Fine"

Just as I was enjoying the comfortable silence, she spoke again. Oh, what I will give to get her to shut up.

" But, does it usually take this long for you to get there?" She pouted, throwing more tantrums.

" No, it doesn't take it long. But there's traffic today, I could have avoided it if only I left earlier."

" Then why didn't you leave earlier. This is taking forever!"

" I remember a certain someone cornering me. Now, whose fault is it?" I reminded her. I left just in time but noooo, Lucy gets what Lucy wants.

" Still your fault" Crossing her arms, she said ever so blatantly.

" You knew your mum would agree didn't you? How?" I pulled over at the side of the road to rest my arms. Driving wasn't really my strongest point. Especially not with a demanding seven-year-old.

" Yes, I did. For the past few days, she has been on medications. Aunty Sammie said she would be acting loopy for a while. That turned it to be true and I don't want to be locked up throughout the weekend without anything to do." She smirked while talking. For a second, I saw the mischievous glint in her eyes. What a conniving little girl. Natasha is so going to flip when she finds out. I should probably tell her mother but I can't do that now. Maybe when I get home, or I'll call Samantha instead.

" If you don't want me to ship you off to your mum. We would need ground rules. You must comply with them or I'll just be forced to tie you up for the entire weekend."

Her eyes widened so much that I thought they'd fall out of the sockets. Fear, just what I need.

" First, you have to be on your best behavior. No hassles, no stress. Secondly, don't you dare pull any tantrums or try to act witty. And lastly, when we get back you'll make me look nice in front of your mum in case she wants to kill me. Understand?" I listed smugly, knowing the odds were in my favor. The last part was just to ensure that whatever Natasha does would not affect me directly. I had an eerie feeling that hell would be let loose when she finds out.

" Huh? Okay fine Jeremy, it's a deal. Pinkie promise?" Wiggling her pinkie finger, she held it out for me to lock with mine. Hesitating, I held out my finger. It had been so long since I pinkie swore with anyone.

" It's too quiet Jeremy. Can we turn on the radio? Pretty please" Regardless of the rules, Lucy would always be Lucy.

" No"

" But why? Do you enjoy silence?" Who wouldn't?

" With you, yes I absolutely long for silence. Plus, there isn't anything good on the radio trust me."

" News?"

" I hate the news, always bad distressing stuff."