Chapter Eight: The Journey Home

Patrick didn't speak a word to Katie as he was driving. He remained quiet, giving Katie some space to think. He was sure she didn't want to discuss what she had endured the past few days.

Katie was glad for the silence. She didn't feel much like conversing with Patrick, even though it might have released herself from all the emotions she was experiencing.

With the tank nearly empty, Patrick stopped for gas. Katie waited in silence as he swiped his credit card and pumped the gas. The only thing she could think about right now was rest. That, and when and what she was going to eat.

Climbing back into his truck, Patrick fastened his seat belt and started the engine. Without looking at Katie, he spoke.

"We should eat somewhere."

"I don't care," Katie spoke softly. "Wherever you want to go is fine with me."

"There's a Subway just down the road. Want to go there?"

"Yeah, that's fine."

Patrick drove two miles down the road and stopped at Subway. Just like it was during the ride, the environment at Subway was quiet. Neither refused to speak a word.

But once again, the mold was broken as they continued on their way. As Patrick pulled out of Subway, he spoke, staring Katie in the eyes.

"I guess we'll have to stay at a hotel tonight."

"Yeah, about that," Katie bowed her head. "I think it's best if I stay with my parents. I just don't want much company. I hope that's okay with you."

"No, that's fine," Patrick responded. "Actually, that's a better idea than staying at a old, dirty, cheap hotel."

"What about you?"

"Me? Well, I guess I could crash at my parents' house before I go looking for an apartment. I don't have very many places to stay, either."

Katie nodded before turning her attention back to the road. Granted, staying with her parents was better than staying in a hotel. But it was something that she wasn't looking forward to. She and her parents had a complicated relationship. It was love/hate. Between her father's drinking and her mother's nagging and constant involvement in anything she wasn't part of, Katie wasn't sure if she could survive the environment. But it would have to do until she could find a place to live.

"So, where do your parents live?"

"Um," Katie was broken out of her daze, "they live about twenty minutes from here. Just take the next exit west and it will lead you there."

Patrick did as she said and took the exit west. With the exception of the radio playing, all was quiet. That was, until they finally reached Katie's neighborhood.

"Go down two streets, and turn right. Then keep going until you reach the "Rolling Hills" subdivision. Turn left at the sign."

Following her directions, he drove in that direction.

"Which house is it?"

"It's five houses down, on the right. See that burgundy car in the driveway?"

Patrick nodded.

"That's my mom's car."

Carefully turning his car into the driveway, Patrick reached his first destination: Katie's childhood residence. Shutting off the motor, he got out and took a look at the exterior of the house. Brick on the first level, and beige aluminum siding on the second. A white railing surrounded the porch, with beautiful, colorful flowers adorning the ground around it.

"Nice place," Patrick complimented.

"Yeah, I guess so," Katie shrugged as she walked up the steps and knocked on the door.

As Patrick unloaded her things from the back of his truck, Katie waited for an answer at the door. After about thirty seconds, her mother emerged from the house.

"Katie! Honey, what are you doing here?" Her mother greeted as the two embraced.

"Well, um," Katie stumbled, trying to find the right words to tell her mother. "Actually, mom, I need a place to stay for a while."

"Why? What happened?" Her mother's face suddenly turned grim. "Did you and Josh have a fight?"

"Actually, we broke up," Katie corrected her. "I moved out, and I need a place to stay."

"Oh, honey, I'm so sorry," she once again hugged her daughter. "Of course you can stay here!"

Patrick walked up to the porch and set down Katie's possessions. Katie watched as her mother looked puzzlingly at the stranger.

"Oh, mom, this is Patrick. He's Josh's friend who was living with us."

"WAS his friend," Patrick pointed out. "Until he broke your daughter's heart. I offered to give her a ride here, since I'm moving out as well."

"Oh, well, pleasure to meet you, Patrick. I'm Linda, Katie's mom," Linda shook his hand before turning to Katie. "What does he mean Josh broke your heart?"

"I'll tell you about it later," Katie answered as Patrick went for the rest of her things. "I don't want to talk about it now."

"What did he do? I want to know."

"I told you, mom, I don't want to talk about it now," Katie harshly answered, glaring at her.

"Did he say or do anything to hurt you?"

"No, mom."

"Was he not spending time with you? Was he gone all the time? Was he distant with you or what?"

"No."

"Did he cheat on you?" Linda continued.

Katie refused to answer. The refusal gave Linda all she needed to know.

"He cheated on you, didn't he? Didn't he?"

"Okay, yes!" Katie finally gave in, sighing in frustration at her mother's questioning. "Yes! He cheated on me! There! Are you happy now?"

"No, I'm not happy," Linda scowled as Patrick came back and set down the last of Katie's things. He stood there in silence as the two had a heated argument.

"What kind of inconsiderate jerk is he? How long has this been going on? Weeks? Months? Who's he cheating on you with?"

"It's none of your business, mom!" Katie snapped back. "I can handle this on my own!"

"Like hell you can! Ugh! I have the mind to go over there right now and give him a piece of my mind!"

"And what is that going to accomplish, mom? Huh?" Katie had finally had enough. "It's over, and it's done with. I'm moving on, end of story! Just do me a favor and NEVER speak of it again!"

Patrick remained tight lipped as Katie lashed out. Finally giving up, Linda walked back into the house, but not before having one last word with her daughter.

"This is not over, Katie. Mark my words. Eventually, he's going to come back on his hands and knees begging for forgiveness. What are you going to do then? Take him back? Believe me. It's not over. Not by a long shot."

Linda shut the door behind her, leaving Patrick and Katie alone on the front porch. Falling to the porch steps, Katie sighed heavily before biting her lower lip and closing her eyes.

"I knew coming here was a bad idea," Katie began to cry. "I knew she'd try and get involved."

"She's just looking out for you," Patrick sat down next to her and wrapped his arms around her. "It may seem a bit much, but she has your best interest in mind."

"That's not what I'm talking about," Katie responded, wiping away the tears that continued to fall down her crimson cheeks. "She always does this! Every time something like this happens, she gets involved, makes decisions for me, and everything turns out worse! It's like she doesn't think I can handle my own life issues, so she takes over and fucks everything up even more! She's always meddling in my affairs! Even my dad's told her to stay out of my problems and let me deal with them on my own. It's like she has this control issue over me!"

Patrick sighed. He didn't think of Linda that way. Of course, he had only met her for five minutes, so who was he to judge?

"I'll tell you what," he let go of Katie and stared straight in her eyes. "If it ever gets any worse, and if you can't be around your mother anymore, let me know. You can stay with me, okay?"

"Thanks, Pat."

They embraced one last time before Patrick got up and dusted his jeans off.

"Well, I better get going. It's an hour drive to my parents' house. I'll call you later to see how you're doing."

With that, Patrick got into his truck and drove off. Katie sat there on the porch step, silently wishing that Patrick didn't have to go so soon. She needed somebody there to help her get through whatever trials and tribulations she was going to be in with her family. The main reason she moved out of her parents' house when she was 18 was to escape all the drama and conflict. How was she going to endure this time living with her family if history was doomed to repeat itself?