Page 63 of Confessions of a Carpool Captive
My mother came to pick me up and I spent an exhausting holiday with her, Aunt Andee, Uncle Cody, my cousins, and their spouses.
I was the only one there alone, as usual, and I got more than my fair share of questions about my non-existent love life. Finn texted twice to say Merry Christmas and ask how I was doing. I ignored both. I didn’t know what to say and I still don’t as I wait for my ride to work Monday morning.
I’m thankful the holiday has come and gone. Now I just need to get through five days of work and a lonely New Year. Most people are upset they have to work on New Year’s Eve. Not me. I don’t have anything else to do. After New Year’s, I should be set until craptastic Valentine’s Day. There should be a holiday that celebrates being alone. I’d be great at that one.
Finn’s black SUV stops in front of my building and Kel steps out of the front seat.
“You can sit there, you know. I don’t mind,” I tell him.
“No thanks. I actually like my seat. I can see everything from the back.”
Scratching my head, I take my place next to Finn.
“Good morning. Are you still angry with me?” Finn asks.
“Aww man, what did you do?” Kel asks. “Forget to buy her a gift? Come in her mouth?”
“Dammit, Kel. Do you know how offensive it is to me that you say shit like that?” I ask, spinning in my seat to face him. Ernesto smiles until he sees my face, then he frowns and glares at Kel.
“Sorry! I just say the first thing that pops into my head. I have a lot of dirty thoughts.”
“Are you a teenage boy?”
“Umm, I’m twenty-five, thank you!” he says in a huff.
“Well start thinking a little. Have some respect.”
“For my elders?” he asks.
“I’m the same age as you. I’m not your elder!”
“Sorry, Lizzy.”
I sigh. “My name is Liz. L-I-Z,” I spell. “It’s not Lizzy, or Beth, or Betsie or Liza. It’s just Liz!” I yell angrily.
“Uh-oh,” Kel whispers, leaning forward to Finn. “Either she’s really pissed off or it’s her time of the month. Either way, we’re fucked.”
“I can fucking hear you!” I shout. Pulling my earbuds from my purse, I place them in my ears and turn my music up loud. Maybe Gloria can take me to get my car today.
I leave the earbuds in the entire ride. Emerson notices I’m angry as she takes her seat. I hear them talking, but I don’t want to know what they’re saying, and I don’t care.
A few minutes later, I get a text.
Emerson:You okay?
She didn’t do anything to piss me off, so I answer her.
Liz:Yeah, I’m just sick of the inflated egos and sick mouths in this car.
Emerson:Kel wants me to text you he’s sorry and he promises to be better. Finn wanted me to tell you he missed you this weekend.
Sneaking a peek at him, I note he’s leaning away from me and resting his head on his left hand on the window. He seems frustrated.
Liz:Whatever on both counts. Just because they say the wrong thing doesn’t give them the right to blame my anger on hormones.
Emerson:I couldn’t agree more. I’ll be glad when this is finally over.
My heart constricts a bit. She wants to be done with carpool? I feel a little sad even though I just had the same thought. It seemed okay for me to think it, but it makes my heart hurt to know she feels that way too.
