Four plus four; three subtract eleven; two multiplied by four; sixteen divided by two all equal eight. Which is what this chapter is numbered.
I never been one to complain when something is bothering me physically, being a man showing tears and fear isn't allowed. You get hit you just get up, if you're bleeding you wipe away the blood without thinking twice, but damn this hurts! I am embarrassed to admit it to myself and I'll never tell a soul that when I stepped on that stupid piece of glass I could feel a wall of tears prepared to fall from my eyes. I couldn't cry and I still can't. Molly needs someone to be strong for her, a strong force to keep her on track. If I am weak in any possible way I am nothing for her.
"Hey Irene do you want me to call the other bus and let them know what's going on?" Jack asks my mom as she is taking a glander at the map searching for any hospitals. I watch her motion her approval to his question and he steps into one of the bedrooms to receive a little piece of quiet. I know my mom pretty well if she could tell me I fucked up the day, that lost us money, my actions were stupid and she is severely disappointed in me; she would. But I also know she'll just remain quiet perhaps a little too quiet letting the anger and frustration simmer inside. She'll verbally attack a complete stranger that screws her or any one involved with work or her family, yet keeps tight mouthed when someone she cares about upsets her. More often than not her bark is much than the bite.
I turn my head at the sound of the door being pulled open quickly followed by two separate sets of feet walking up the steps. The tears are all but vanished from Molly's face while Annie looks like if could commit murder with no penalties she would. I need not to be total of what happened to receive a pretty accurate picture of details. Undoubtedly Annie was with whomever the boys in that car were flirting, exchanging numbers, and all of that teenage ten-second lust activates, and here came Molly to in Annie's mind to embarrass here. The walk back to bus full of "You ruined m life!" Teenagers. It's sad to think I was one of them a few scarce years ago. Annie looks at my bandage foot as she walks by not bothering to ask me about or if I am okay. If I know that girl well enough in fifteen minutes time she'll be attacking me with a million of questions. But right now she's too preoccupied with brewing in anger at Molly.
"Doing any better?" Molly asks me as she looks at the area in the map that my mom is pointing out, likely the nearest hospital.
"It doesn't hurt as much, so I am good." I have a talent for lying without displaying signs to others that I am. Some how I gather that Molly doesn't believe me though she doesn't question me any longer or harder for that matter.
"Alright I told Curtis and he said he'll wait for further word before he does anything. He also said to tell Carey to take it easy and be more careful." Jack lets us all know, Curtis being one of the roadies and the driver of the second bus. Myself and him getting along with each us quite well and I do doubt his comment to me was that polite. Knowing him it was chalk full of curses and insults that would make a sailor cover his ears. My mom takes a seat behind the wheel, fires up the engine and pulls it into drive.
Molly who had vanished down the hall a moment prior has returned to stand in front of me holding out her hand that held two white pills. I smile and mouth the word thanks as I remove them, I am not man enough to say no to pain reducers. She takes a seat across from me staring at the carpet listening to yet another argument beginning from Jack and Annie. I find it amazing how the two of them got along great for months, a real bond of friendship formed between them in just a few days time. Now the days are full of fights, petty arguments, and more or less the attack of the egos. My theory of it all is two total separate reasons; Jack is jealous of the attention she's giving to nearly every guy that walks near but is afraid to let her know he might care more than a friend should. While as Annie knows she'll be leaving in a few weeks and Lord only knows when she'll be around again, and pushes those away that she cares about is her way of dealing with the pain. Or they might just now hate each other. Either way it's annoying as hell.
"If I shoved them both out of the window how much time do you think I would receive?" I smirk at Molly's question especially since I had been thinking nearly the same thing,
"Two cases of murder wow 25 to life I am betting."
"Okay seems a bit harsh but I think it'll be worth it." Her voice had raised in volume to be heard over the sound of the yells. I couldn't care less of what they were yelling about I just wanted them to shut up. Judging by the clenched fist of Molly she agrees full heartily.
"We should be at the hospital in about ten minutes." My mom calls out to us. I don't respond I am too busy watching Molly's eyes once again brim with tears. If I could not caring of the witnesses surrounding us from in front and behind I would be been at her side to hold her and let her know as I did early that it will all be okay.