Episode 24
Lark, being the ever-loving gentleman and doting grandson, helped Granny out of the front. Thea jumped out of the back seat. Jumped. Gods, could I just stop looking?! I peeled away my gaze and followed Lark and Gran inside. A holo-sign was standing that read 'Please Seat Yourself'. We scanned the room and I noticed Thea wave her hand through the hologram. I would've laughed, but she rolled her eyes at it and turned up her nose. Odd. And it was. I'd expect her to react differently. Be amazed for how old she is, maybe? She just seemed annoyed.
Philomena led us to a more private-looking booth in the back. There was good separation between all the tables and booths, but these over here had partitions with curtains that you could close for more privacy. Everything about these old diners was dank and dreary. Inside, these places were always styled in mixtures of black and deep shades of purples, reds, oranges, pinks, blues, greens... you name it. Back then, this whole partition would've been blocked off by a soundproof false wall, so add in a dash of secrecy with your privacy, if you will. 2500s was a dark time, I guess.
Establishments like this were created by and for the Resistance. Change scares people. Especially big change and the idea of a universal global government freaked a lot of people out. Resistance was often met with force. Never knew who you could trust. I'm so glad not to be born in a time like that. The Global Alliance, or GA, has been a well-oiled machine since about 2853. The Resistance gave a good long fight of about three hundred years. More than enough. The books tell us it was more of a silent 'behind closed doors' sort of battle. Infiltrations into the cells and assassinations vs. on a battlefield. Neither option is good, but you get my point. All relative in the end. After the state of the world became what it was, we couldn't afford to be so brash anymore.
Lark sat down on the left side of the booth. Philomena looked to us, "Go ahead, dears. Granny needs to be on the end here." Thea gently bumped me to the side with her hip and slid in all the way next to Lark. She winked at me as I hesitantly slid in next to her, and Gran took her seat next to me. A kind-looking man came by and gave us water and some data disks, then left and said he would be back shortly. I tapped a menu disk eagerly. Could've eaten an entire horse.
"Okay," Lark said, breaking the silence. I groaned internally. Food, please! Then talk. "How are we looking on funds? The tank in the Jeep is practically full still, but we're going to need food," he was counting out casually on his fingers, "somewhere to rest before we take off again, and clothes because Thea said this is nowhere near warm enough gear for where we're headed."
Well, he had a good point. Need funds for food. "Well, how about we pool everything together and see what we're working with? Then we can make our plan from there." I offered. Lark and Gran nodded in agreement. As good a first step as any. The three of us got out our phones, and Thea frowned. "Lucky I've been saving. I've got about a thousand credits." Thea was now looking over my shoulder, watching. Her breath on my neck made my entire body tingle.
"That's three thousand credits for me, honey." Philomena offered.
"I've got about five hundred more that I have stashed away for travel study at home. I might be able to get Mom to upload it and send it to me when I call her later." I'd been looking forward to travel study. Going across the entire globe for three years sounds heavenly. There's always so much noise in the house, and being the oldest with another sibling on the way, it wasn't getting any quieter any time soon. Luckily, it's fairly cheap because we're not made of credits in my household. Still, to be able to see all of the different birthplaces of ancient cultures has always been a dream. Hopefully, I can replace the funds, and it still would be a possibility.
Somehow, with my lack of finances, I felt like I was letting everyone down. Granny settled my growing insecurity with a smile and a gentle squeeze of my hand. She knew we weren't made of money. I shouldn't feel guilty, but I did. "We're not going back. Not for a long time, if ever, so what's mine is now ours." She looked to Lark as she said the last part. I followed her line of sight.
He did look a bit distressed. Staring at his phone as he ran his hands through his curls a few times and sighed. "I've been saving to get away from that hell hole, but I suppose that's what we're doing now... even if it isn't in the way I had planned," it came out in a mumble under his breath, but I'm pretty sure he knew that we could pick up on it. He ran his fingers through his hair a few more times and groaned. "I've got thirty-seven thousand credits..." he sighed again.
"Well, that's great to hear, dear! Looks like we don't have to fret about the necessities." Philomena said with a wink. I was still staring wide-eyed at Lark. Thirty thousand credits was a shit ton for someone our age. Hell, Granny only had three! What did he do? Never spend a single credit he ever made...? With that amount of credits, he had many options around the globe with his housing voucher. I'd be lucky if I had enough to stretch my voucher outta Collingwood after my travels. Credits get first picks and relocation allocations, and it was more expensive the further away your destination. It pays to work, but some people are fine with the simple life. "Lark, honey. Come with me, son. We have some arrangements that we need to tend to. Give the ladies your order." She smiled at us and walked toward the exit.
Lark hurriedly got out of the booth. "Uhh... uh... something that's terrible for my health but tastes great and feels good to my soul." He smiled and shrugged, then wasted no time to sprint after Granny.
They left me. Alone. With Thea. She maintained her look of annoyance as she fidgeted. Soon she hovered to catch different angles of my device as I anxiously played with it. I sighed and put it away and I opened up a menu. Personal space and privacy, please. The different dishes sprang to life making a full rotation slowly in succession. Thea moved over even closer to look at it with me. Our legs touched, and another chill rolled through me. A strong hint of cinnamon followed her. Toasted almonds as well. I swallowed down the saliva that poured into my mouth. Is space really what I want though? The corner of her lips turned up as she examined the menu, her finger pointing here and there.
Thea stretched over the table and propped her head up on her hand next to the menu. "I'm going to need help." She looked at me, smiling. In this position, her entire stomach was showing, and the curve of her hips looked delicious. So soft. My hands itched to feel every bit of her. I realized I was once again staring at the woman's chest. My gaze flittered up and met hers. I swallowed again. Her gaze was so piercing. It always felt like she was deep diving into my soul. If she mentions it, I can always blame that curry rice dish floating next to her. Her smile grew as she regarded me slightly, showing fangs this time. I returned her friendly demeanor but couldn't keep looking into her eyes. They fell almost instinctually. Again, my first line of sight was her chest. At this realization, I turned my entire body slightly to break physical contact and save myself more humiliation. I could've sworn I saw her frown in my periphery.
Turns out she really didn't know almost anything on the menu. I was surprised at how quickly she picked up on the language, but then again, we didn't know much about her. The young serviceman returned; Kyle was the name on his badge. He had sleek black hair, olive skin, and very kind eyes that seemed to complement the orange hues of his uniform. I ordered for all of us, and he left quickly to get everything going. Decided on the last "turn of the century" American favorite: Coney dogs, chili cheese fries, and Coke. If it wasn't good, they'd all have to deal. It was ill-advised because it was morning, but damnit, I was probably never going to see my family again, so I might as well eat an entire heart attack in one sitting. He said bad for health and good for the soul. This checks the boxes. All our health was pristine anyway--even Granny's. We'll survive.
