Chapter 15
Sawyer and Kate were already an hour and half into the ride, but only about forty five minutes from the apartment. Sawyer stomped on the brakes again, pulling the car into a gas station. He sighed and watched Kate run out to the attendant, asking for use of the bathroom. Eight stops, he counted in his head. At this rate, the day he had planned was going to be shot down the drain. A few more minutes had passed when he saw Kate coming back. Her ponytail swung wildly and she wore a very disgusted expression. She got back into the car and sighed.
"I'm sorry," she said for the fourth time that morning.
"Don't worry about it," he said – for the fourth time, as well - starting the car up again.
"That had to be the most disgusting bathroom we've come across."
"Guess you paid your dues then," he joked.
She rolled her eyes, grinning out the window. "Thanks," she said sarcastically.
"Anytime."
"How much further?"
He snickered. "We ain't even half way there yet."
She stared at him. "Have I really been that bad?"
"Let's just say at the rate we're goin', we'll be lucky to get there by twelve."
"Sorry," she looked down. "I'm starting to feel a little better now."
He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye as he drove. It wasn't hard to tell that she was lying. Her face was still pale, and her eyes still looked tired. She was only saying it so the day wasn't ruined – so he'd think he could keep on driving and that there wouldn't be any more stops. He knew this was far from the truth, but he let her off easy. She was feeling bad enough as it was. He didn't want to make it any worse.
About forty-five minutes later, Kate let out a long huffing breath. He looked at her, seeing her distressed face.
"You all right, Freckles?"
She put on a phony smile. "Fine. Keep driving."
Still concerned, he obeyed. Another ten minutes passed and he heard her breathing unsteadily, and swallowing. He saw her hands clutching her stomach. She'd been holding it back all this time. He sighed, exasperatedly.
"If you need to stop, then tell me to stop, Freckles!" he said, pulling over to the side of the road. "Jesus…"
Without a word, she hurried out of the car and let it out on the side of the road. Thankfully, no cars were around. He stared out the passenger side window at her, anxiously. He saw her fall onto her bottom, sitting with her head hanging between her knees. He grabbed her bottle of water and turned the car off, getting out. He rounded the car and kneeled next to her, placing a hand on her back. She looked up at him with a weak smile as he handed her the water. He sat down next to her now, pulling her to him in a half-hug. She rested her head on his shoulder.
It was only a matter of minutes before she crawled out of his embrace to be sick again. He watched helplessly, knowing they weren't going to be getting anywhere anytime soon…
After nearly two hours, Sawyer and Kate were on the road again – behind schedule. Kate's sickness had subsided, finally. She stared out the window reading the signs they passed by, trying to figure out where they were heading. Although, the only signs they kept passing gave no indication as to where they were going.
"Do you know where you're going?" she tried, seeing if he had given up.
"'Course I do," he grinned.
"Are you sure? Because – "
"Don't worry, Shortcake. I ain't lost."
"That's a change," she teased.
"Har har."
She sighed and continued watching out the window, hoping they were close. About an hour later, she kept seeing signs decorated with mouse ears and star-topped wands.
"You're sure you're going the right way?"
"Yup."
"Then why is it that all I keep seeing are signs for…" she trailed, realizing what the sign said. "Disneyland," she read. She turned towards him, beaming.
He glanced sideways at her, trying to act confused. "What?"
She laughed. "Are you taking me to Disneyland?"
"Now where would you get an idea like that?" he smirked.
"Come on Sawyer," she said with another laugh. "Tell me the truth."
"I already told you I ain't gonna tell you."
"Pull over," she said, suddenly.
"What, you not feeling good again?" he said, his expression instantly melting into worry.
"Just stop the car, Sawyer."
He did as he was told and pulled over on the side of the road. Kate unbuckled her seatbelt and started to climb over the center.
"What the hell are you doin'?" he said, watching her.
She landed in his lap, facing him with a bright smile. He laughed.
"What're you doin'?"
She didn't answer him. She placed her hands on either side of his face and pulled him closer in a long, passionate kiss. He pulled away for a moment, completely taken by surprise. She stared at him, impatiently. He leaned closer to her again, kissing her vigorously.
As she leaned back more, she felt herself pressing against the steering wheel. The car horn sounded suddenly, startling them both. She looked down, laughing, leaning into him again and off of the steering wheel. She looked up at him, her forehead against his. He threw his hands in the air in defeat.
"All right. Fine. So we're goin' to Disneyland."