Okay here's the latest. Not much movement, just setting up for some things. Hope you can bear with me. Thanks so so much Bookworm and lipamo, and also for the new favoriting and following going on! Much much appreciated, glad that this thing is still catching interest. More to come soon, take as you will. :)
After she finished packing their bags and he packed their lunch, they got in the car and left. Carrie had opted to drive and when he hadn't fought her on it, she knew his head wasn't on straight. Not that she expected it to be.
He'd been staring out the window since they got onto the highway, and had barely said two words to her. Luckily he hadn't objected to her setting the radio to the jazz preset and turning up the volume.
"So what did you pack for us to eat again?", she asked, moving her hand from the wheel to touch his shoulder, get his attention. "I know you told me earlier, I just-"
"Just some sandwiches.", Brody answered. "Are you hungry? You want to pull over and eat?"
"There's a rest stop in just five miles. I'm fine waiting unless you-"
"I'm fine.", he said, a little too quickly for her to believe it.
Five miles later they pulled into the rest stop, a small area with picnic tables situated near a lake. After Carrie parked and went to use the ladies room, Brody got them set up at one of the tables. Not the least bit hungry though he turned to stare out at the water. Not even realizing she'd come up behind him until he felt a tap on the shoulder.
"Brody?"
"What? Sorry. I wasn't-"
"It's okay. You're not hungry?"
When he shook his head she let out a slow breath, sat on the bench next to him.
"Want to go for a swim? I don't know if we could have as much fun as we did the last time with all the people around but..."
"After last night I don't think us being around water's such a good idea.", Brody said gruffly as she bit her lip.
"Hey, unless you threw a flask in the basket I think we're just fine.", Carrie softly smiled, not getting one in return.
"Look you should really eat something. You packed enough fucking food for two and I'm not eating all of it.", she snorted as he reached behind him into the basket for one of the sandwiches. Taking the plastic wrap off of it, he took a tiny bite before setting it on his lap.
Rolling her eyes Carrie grabbed it from him, took half out of the wrapper for herself before reaching for a folded map in her purse.
"Why don't you just use GPS on your phone?", Brody asked as she chewed, swallowed.
"Why don't I just ask twenty of my former colleagues to track our movements because I'm too lazy to use a fucking road map?", Carrie retorted.
"Point taken."
"I know it sounds paranoid. It's not as if what we're doing is top secret or anything. I'd just rather not create a trail if we don't have to."
"Hey, if it's a trail that leads us to him you think I really give a shit who catches up to us?"
"Brody..."
"Shit. I wouldn't care if the feds came marching up behind us to the door of his fucking Airstream."
"Well I would. Jesus. We don't know everything yet, don't assume that-"
"Don't assume what?", he asked incredulously.
"Look, there may be reasons behind what he-"
"You're fucking defending him?!"
"No. I didn't, I'm not. But, you should at least consider giving him the benefit of the doubt!", Carrie said as he snorted, shook his head before throwing down his remaining sandwich. Too appalled to consider eating.
"I can't believe that I'm hearing this. From you!"
"Well why shouldn't you expect to hear it from me. I'm the one who fucking told you everything!", she retorted as he glared.
"Well you also told me you know what it's like to have a parent walk out on you. At least your mom didn't fucking play dead to do it.", Brody growled, grabbing the picnic basket before getting up from the bench, storming over to the car.
Standing in turn Carrie's hand went to her hair.
"Fuck. Fuck!", she yelled, a little too loudly given the setting and the two families with little kids in close proximity. Glaring at the parents who had the nerve to glare at her, she marched over to the car where Brody was sitting in the driver's seat.
Rolling her eyes she rapped on the window as he rolled his eyes, lowered it.
"What the fuck are you even...we agreed that I'd be the one to-"
"Driving will distract me.", Brody muttered.
"Distract you from how much of an asshole you were being back there?", Carrie scoffed as he sighed, rolled his eyes.
"Carrie, I can't-"
"Then don't. Just fucking drive.", she spat. Getting into the passenger seat before slamming the car door, shoving the road map onto his lap.
Rolling his eyes again, putting the key in the ignition Brody did as asked.
When he opted to leave the radio off, agitated Carrie reached in her purse for her iPod and earbuds. Placing them, curling up facing the window she drifted off. Perfectly content to sleep the rest of the trip if it meant not having to deal with her travel companion.
Navigating to the trailer park wasn't too difficult using the map. But Brody's nerves were fried and his mouth was dry and his sweaty hands had a vice grip on the wheel. He tried to focus on his breathing. On not having a fucking panic attack. Not focusing enough to notice he'd nearly driven over the solid line.
The horn from the other car caused Carrie to stir, and the swerving jolted her awake right as Brody's right arm flung out, reflexively curling around her chest as he pulled over, slammed on the brakes before parking.
"Fuck.", she breathed. Knowing though he was shaken up enough without her adding onto it, Carrie held her tongue, took a breath, then unbuckled her seatbelt. Getting out of the car she walked around to his side, opened the door.
He was trembling, pale, with the stricken look on his face she'd seen way too fucking much of lately. It broke her heart but she wasn't about to break down alongside him on the side of the highway.
"Give me the keys.", she said calmly, getting a surprised look. It was like he was expecting her to scream and get angry and go off on him. And it had thrown him off guard that she hadn't.
"If you think I'm going to ask you twice..."
Removing them from the ignition Brody handed them to her, swapped sides and seats with her before she reached over, squeezed his hand over the center console. Putting the car in drive, she pulled back out onto the road.
"Carrie..."
"Don't. It's done.", she said in a clipped tone, eyes still on the road. "Just let me fucking drive, okay?"
"Okay.", Brody whispered. Twining their fingers together as she drove the remaining distance to the park. Before driving up the rest of the road though she pulled over and stopped the car, getting him frowning.
"Why did you stop?"
"To make sure you're not having second thoughts.", Carrie said.
"Isn't it a little late for that?", Brody snorted. "We just-"
"I dragged you out here without a plan, Brody. I don't know if confronting your dad will do shit to stop all of this. And if it doesn't work I don't know an alternative.", she sighed, looking down and away from him.
"Hey..."
Reaching over he gently turned her face towards his, held her cheek in his palm.
"I'm not having second thoughts, Carrie. I'm too worked up now to have thoughts.", Brody sighed. "I just know not seeing him would be a mistake. Not telling him how I feel would be a mistake. And I've made enough of those. Shit, the last two days I've made...", he trailed off as she nodded, finished his thought.
"Yeah. You have. But you're a mess, and I get it. If I had to go and deal with my mom right now I would be too.", Carrie admitted as he moved his hand off her face, bit his lip as he stared out the windshield.
"We don't have to go in right away.", she said softly. "We could stay here to finish our food and talk or-"
"No. I'd rather just get it the fuck over with.", Brody said as she nodded. Driving up the path to the front entrance, after parking they exited the car. Once locking it up Carrie moved to stand next to him.
"I can't believe he's been in this shithole the past thirty years. I can't believe that he's..."
"I know.", Carrie nodded, reaching for his shaking hand. "C'mon. Let's go see what he fucking has to say about it.", she coaxed as he nodded, walked with her inside the park.