#Chapter 159 – On the Road

Evelyn glances over at Ian as he fiddles with the car’s radio controls, trying to find a station that he likes. She can’t help but smile at him a little bit. When did he get old enough to have tastes in music? It was so strange, raising a child, watching them grow into a full person.

He is technically still too young to be sitting in the front seat of the car but…well. Desperate times, desperate measures. Or whatever. Evelyn wants him close by her is the real answer, not sitting alone in the back of the car.

They’ve been mostly quiet for the trip, but it’s not an uncomfortable silence. Ian had told her, when he first got into the car, what he and Alvin had decided.

“I’m coming with you,” Ian had said, his face pale as he stood with the car door open, his feet firmly planted on the driveway.

“What?!” Evelyn had breathed, her voice low with shock. She looked behind him, looking for Alvin as well.

“No, mama,” Ian had said, interpreting her look. “Just me. Alvin is staying with papa.”

“No,” Evelyn had said, her voice firm. “I’m not splitting you two up. You two stay together.”

Ian had just shrugged and gotten into the car. “If you’re going, I’m going. Alvin is staying.” He had looked up at her with hope in his eyes. “Unless you just want to stay…”

Evelyn had considered him for a moment and then slowly shook her head. No, she couldn’t. It was impossible, now. Not after how she had betrayed Victor. Not now that she knew he’d never be able to forgive her.

“Please, Ian,” she had whispered. “Don’t be foolish – you can’t leave your brother, you haven’t been separated from him for a single day in your life! Since you were little babies the size of jellybeans in my belly! You’ve always been together!”

He had just shrugged and reached behind him for his seatbelt, pulling it over his chest and buckling it firmly. “It’s okay. I’m getting kind of sick of him.”

Evelyn furrowed her brows at him seriously, shaking her head at the lie. But Ian had just shrugged again.

“Come on, mama,” he said, looking out the windshield. “If we’re going to go, let’s go.”

Evelyn had sighed, considering it for just a moment. “What made you decide,” she said slowly, “to split up. Because I know you didn’t make this decision alone.”

Her little boy had looked at her plainly. “You need someone to protect you, mama,” he had said, and then pointed his thumb at his chest. “And I’m the tough one. So, I go with you.”

She had laughed a little at that – god, what a foreign sound. “Ian,” she had said. “I can take care of myself, I’ve been doing it for years.”

“Yes,” he had replied, again looking out the front of the car. “So now it’s time that you had a break.”

Evelyn had shaken her head a little at that, but Ian didn’t look at her. Her little boy, six going on thirty. Already he was becoming so, so much like Victor. And now she was taking him away…

She sighed and put the car in reverse, backing out of the driveway without another word. If he wanted to come, be her protector, then fine. She would take him, gratefully. The rest she would figure out later.

few hours after that, the pair are still driving. Ian has been very patient, not asking for details or information about where they’re going. Just letting Evelyn take the lead, trusting her to make

he doesn’t know, Evelyn thinks, biting her lip, is

about where she was, but the reply hadn’t been very

Away on vacation –

one time Evelyn really needed her friend

for them – looking for Ian, really – and he knew where Delia lived. So

she was vacationing. Delia had mentioned Rockport, a charming little beach

Headed for the beach.

later, Evelyn

against the window.

said, “can

the ocean

time she

no,” he says. Then he wrinkles his nose. “It just smells like

at that. “How do you know what crabs smell

his eyes at her.

insists, laughing. “Not everyone has had crabs. Your just

then, suddenly sad. Ian smiles at her a little

nodding at the little beach town slowly rolling

sadness

station, paying cash and filling up the tank. As Ian munches on a bag of chips from her snack bag,

where are you

reply comes a

a little motel by the beach – so cute

and I planning a trip, looking

He can probably

then goes back into the

and Ian park in the lot of the Sunrise Starfish, a cute little beach motel with a

at it. “Can I

asks as they climb

Ian says, frowning as he shuts

taking his hand. “That’s your first mistake,

for next time.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255