Calaway rose before the sun did. He took a shower and put on a turquoise Gold's Gym tank top, beige jeans, and white Reebok pumps. He then shook Lisa awake.
"C'mon Lisa, wake up, time to go," He said. "C'mon, I ain't got all day, get up!"
Lisa mumbled a few choice words at Calaway before she got up and dressed.
Calaway checked out of the motel. As Lisa got in the car, she slammed the door.
"I'm going to say this once more," Calaway started. "Stop slamming my goddamn door!"
"Okay, okay!" Lisa said, "Sheesh!"
As they were pulling off, Lisa said. "Listen, I'm starving, can we get something to eat?"
"Sure," said Calaway curtly.
Calaway found a diner at the edge of Greeley. Lisa scoffed.
"You couldn't get us any breakfast at a five star restaurant?" she asked.
"There aren't any around this area," said Calaway, trying his best not to grit his teeth.
"Daddy only takes me to the finest places to eat," said Lisa. "Not some greasy spoon."
"Well, I'm not your Daddy." Calaway said. "Listen, it's too early in the damn morning for your bullshit. You're going to gi in there, eat your breakfast, and you're going to like it. Got it?"
"No, I don't have it!" Lisa shouted. "Who're you to tell me what to do?"
"Well, I'm going to be looking after you until you're 18, so I guess I do have the authority to tell you what to do," Calaway said. "Let's go."
They walked inside the diner. It looked like one of those diners you saw in the movies. Very plain vanilla. But the vibe Calaway got from it was stunning. Not to mention the delicious smells. It was a nice nostalgic smell. Like of his mom's cooking.
Calaway and Lisa sat in a booth. A young waitress with curly red hair and light blue eyes approached them.
"Hi, my name is Maddie, I'll be you waitress, here's your menus."
"I'll have the banana pancakes with apple juice." said Lisa.
"I'll have the country fried steak with the cream gravy and biscuit and some orange juice," Calaway said.
Maddie wrote down their orders and walked away. Calaway looked out the window, watching cars drive by.
"Hey," Lisa started. "You said you're going to be looking after me, until I'm 18?"
"That's affirmative," Calaway said, still looking out the window."
"I don't even know your name," Lisa said.
"Calaway," Calaway answered.
"Calaway?" Lisa repeated. "Where'd your parents get a name like that?"
"It's my last name," Calaway said.
"Well then, what's your first name?" Lisa asked.
"You don't need to know that," Calaway said.
"I guess I'm going to have to if you're going to be looking after me," Lisa said.
"Look, just drop it," Calaway said. "My name is Calaway, and that's how you will address me."
"Okay, Calaway," said Lisa, contemptously.
Their food arrive. Calaway ate his food quickly and downed his orange juice. He watched as Lisa ate her pancakes. She was a sloppy eater. Pancake crumbs were on the table and she had syrup smeared on her face. Calaway watched in amazement and disgust.
When they were finished, the two of them walked out of the diner. Calaway gave Lisa a damp cloth to wipe her mouth with.
"That was a great breakfast," Lisa said.
"Glad to hear," said Calaway. "Let's get to Ohio."
Calaway drove non stop without incident. They were in Missouri by the evening time.
Calaway saw that his car was nearly on E. He pulled into a gas station. The attendant approached him.
"Fill it up premium," said Calaway.
"Listen, do you have some money so I can get me some chips or something?" Lisa asked.
Calaway pulled out a twenty dollar bill and handed it to Lisa.
"Don't you dare try to escape again." Calaway warned.
"Whatever," Lisa said as she shut the door and went across the street.
Calaway watched her go inside the store. He timed her.
He had paid for gas and she still didn't come back. It didn't take that damn long to buy chips. He warned her not to try to escape, but the little brat didn't listen. He drove across the street. That's when he heard a loud piercing scream. A young girl's scream. Calaway reached in his duffle bag and got out a Beretta M9. He went inside.
There were two men, armed and masked were in the store. One had his gun aimed at the store clerk, the other held Lisa hostage, the gun aimed at her head. Tears were falling rapidly down her face.
When Calaway walked in, the one who had his gun aimed at the clerk, aimed his gun at Calaway.
"You picked the wrong time to come in here, Opie." he said. "Now get on the ground, unless you want to be six feet under.
Calaway, who had been in worse predicaments wasn't intimidated by these two assholes. He was a soldier, a stalwart. These two idiots were nothing. He could take them.
He looked at the gunman with his stoic stair and said coldly, "I'm afraid it's you who picked the wrong day to come in here. You've got two options. You're going to hand over that girl and I leave quietly, or you disobey that and I beat the living shit out of the both of you."
Through the ski mask, the gunman sneered and said to the other gunman, "You hear that? He's going to beat the living shit out of us. We're so scared."
Calaway took the opportunity to draw his gun while the gunmen ridiculed him and fired at the gunman three times, hitting him in the kneecaps and shoulder. The gunman fell to the floor, shouting obscentities as he went. The second gunman threw Lisa to the floor and started firing at Calaway, but he missed every shot. Calaway did a risky move. He ran at the gunman while he was still firing at him and tackled him to the ground. He wrestled with the gunman for a few seconds before wringing the gun out of his hands and discarding it. He then started pummeling the gunman until the gunman was unconscious.
"Calaway, look out!" Lisa cried. Calaway, spun around. The gunman fired at Calaway, grazing him in the leg. Calaway let out a short startled cry, but he stomped on the gunman's hand that held the gun. The gunman cried out. Calaway in his anger didn't feel the pain of the bullet graze. He lifted the gunman up and threw him through the window, sending glass flying everywhere.
Calaway hobbled over to Lisa, who was covering over in a corner of the store.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm fine," Lisa said, her voice coming out shaky. "You're hurt."
Calaway shrugged and said, "It's only a graze. Just need some bandages and I'll be good to go."
"There's some in the third aisle," Lisa said. "I'll get them.
"While Lisa went to get the bandages, Calaway pulled some money out of his pocket and handed it to the clerk.
"Five thousand dollars, sir," he said. "That should cover all of the damages and revenue losses you've suffered today."
"Thanks, alot, sonny," the clerk said. "You're a lifesaver."
"It's nothing," Calaway said. "It's my job to protect."
Lisa came from the third aisle and paid for the bandages. The two left the store. Lisa did an unexpected thing when they got outside. She grabbed Calaway and hugged him tight.
"I was so scared back there, Calaway," she said. "I thought they were going to kill me. You saved my life. Thank you so much."
"It's no problem," Calaway said.
"I'm sorry for giving you such a hard time through the ride," Lisa said. "I was mad at Daddy, and I didn't know you well. Can you forgive me?"
"Sure," Calaway said. He took her hand and put it in his hands. "I forgive you."
"Really?" Lisa said. "I was a bitch to you, and it wasn't really fair to you."
"That's fine, Lisa," Calaway said. "Life is too short for that nonsense. You did what you did and you can't take it back. But I forgive you, so let's move on."
"Can I put the bandage around your leg?" Lisa said. "I took a nursing course for extra credit in school and they taught me how to wrap them."
"Go ahead," said Calaway.
Lisa cleaned the wound before applying the bandages. When she was done, Calaway looked down and nodded in approval.
"Good job, kid," he said.
"Thank you," said Lisa, smiling. The effect made her really pretty. "It's the least I could do."
The both of them got back inside the car. Lisa closed the door gently when she got in.
Calaway can I ask you something?" Lisa asked as Calaway pulled out of the store lot.
"Yeah, what?" Calaway asked.
"I'm in no hurry to get to Ohio," Lisa said. "Is it okay if we can explore?" When Daddy takes me places, he never lets me take the time to take in anything. He's very impatient."
"Sure," Calaway said. "But don't you want to eat anything first?" It's been hours since breakfast."
"I am kind of hungry," said Lisa. "Anywhere is fine, I promise I won't fuss this time. Those banana pancakes were delicious."
Calaway drove to Columbia, Missouri. He pulled into the parking lot of a red and white diner with a red 50s modeled car designed to look as if it went into the diner.
"What is this place?" Lisa asked.
"63 Diner," Calaway said. "Opened four years ago. It has a nice 50ish vibe to it. Came here while on vacation from the service. Very good food."
Calaway held the door open for Lisa before entering himself. The floors were fixed with pink and black tiles. The minute you walked in, you saw a huge Betty Boop standout. All sorts of 50s relics hung from the ceiling. And they even had a juke box, which was playing 'In The Still Of The Night' by the Five Satins.
"What do you think?" Calaway asked as a waitress found them a booth.
"It's pretty neat," Lisa said. "I like it."
"Glad to hear it," Calaway said.
Lisa Looked at the menu. She was unsure about what to order.
"There's so many things I could choose from," she said.
"Order whatever you want," Calaway said. "I've got plenty of money."
Calaway looked through the menu. He ordered the ham and beans with the grilled corn cakes and salad and a Cherry Coke. When Lisa was ready to order, she ordered the loaded cheddar burger with fries and a Chocolate Coke.
"Out of all of the things you could've ordered." Calaway started as the waitress walked away, "you order a burger. You could've gotten that at McDonald's."
"Yeah, true, but McDonald's hamburgers are processed," said Lisa. "The burgers here are homemade."
"Good assessment." said Calaway.
"Yeah," Lisa said. "So you served time in the Army?" I remember you saying something about being a soldier."
"Yeah, I served in the Army," Calaway said.
"What division?" Lisa asked.
Calaway looked at her and said. "I'm not at liberty to tell you that."
"How come?" Lisa asked.
"Well really, I don't like too many people to know that I'm in the Army," Calaway said.
"Why do you like being so mysterious?" Lisa asked.
"Because I don't like being an open book for people to read. That's how you become predictable and people take advantage of you."
"I just want to get to know you better," Lisa said.
"You will," Calaway said. "Just not when it comes to my time in the Army."
"Ok, no problem," Lisa said. "So, where you from?" I noticed that you have a drawl kind of."
"Houston, Texas," Calaway said. "Born there. I was a military brat, because my daddy was in the Army as well. I've lived in Tennessee, Florida, New Jersey, and Arizona as a kid."
"Sounds similar to my childhood," Lisa said. "I've lived in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida. That's because my father had us moving from place to place, because he never feels content in one spot."
"Yeah, it's tough," Calaway said. "But at the same time, it's a great experience. You get to explore things that are new."
"You're right," Lisa said. "Out of all of the states I lived in, I liked Florida the best. We lived in West Palm Beach and it was so nice out there. It was dirty and congested like the Tri-States."
"I lived in Hollywood, Florida for about two years," Calaway said. "Nice and peaceful. I loved it down there. I wanted to go to the beach nearly every day. I loved Panorama."
The food finally came. Calaway didn't want the conversation to end on the account of the food being there.
"So, how do you like school?" he asked her.
"Oh, I absolutely love it," Lisa said. "I was a bit nervous about this year, because I didn't think I would pass my classes. The subjects are extra hard like chemistry and calculus. But I passed all of them this semester."
"You must be an exceptionally bright student." Calaway said. "Anything you want to be or do once you graduate?"
"Well, I want to become a doctor," said Lisa, biting on a French Fry. I always wanted to be a doctor. I had the toy medical equipment and I would always play Doctor. I don't like seeing people hurt or sick. I want to help people and heal them."
"That's a wonderful thing," Calaway said. "There needs to be more people like you in the world."
"You know you're the only person who asked me about school and my hopes and dreams." said Lisa. "My father doesn't even ask me those things. We rarely talk. Only when he's yelling at me for something I did."
"That's unfortunate," Calaway said. "A parent should take the time to converse with their kids, so they could know what's going on with them.
"Yes, it's been like that for years," said Lisa. "He cares about what he does more than me. He takes me places occassionally and gives me money, but I want more than just that. I want his love and attention."
It was weird how Calaway couldn't stand Lisa when he first encountered her, but now he was sitting here with her, having a conversation with her. He rarely had conversations with people, let alone teenagers. He didn't know why he felt so comfortable talking to her.
After they finished eating, Calaway paid, tipped, and then left.
"What landmark do you want to see?" Calaway asked.
"Is a bed possible?" Lisa asked. "I don't know why, I feel super sleepy."
"Ain't nothing, you're just food drunk." Calaway said.
"What's that?" Lisa asked.
"That's when you get really sluggish and lazy after having a big meal." Calaway said.
"That's exactly how I feel," Lisa said.
"C'mon, we'll find a motel to sleep in." Calaway said.
There was a motel about 10 miles away. Calaway check himself and Lisa into the motel. Lisa had fallen asleep in the car, so he carried her up the stairs along with his and her belongings. He carefully laid her on the bed and removed her shoes. He took his shower and changed into his night clothes. He wasn't sleepy, so he turned on the T.V. Platoon was on. Suddenly, Calaway wasn't in the motel room. He was back in Grenada, listening to the loud deafening explosions, bullets flying everywhere. Calaway was taking cover in the bushes, trying desperately not to get hit. Three Grenadian soldiers ran past. Calway killed the three of them. He then ran up further and saw that one of his comrades, Tanner, had gotten hit. He hoisted Tanner on his shoulders and took him to safety. Five Delta Force operators were fighting with Grenadian soldiers. Calaway joined his comrades in a fierce battle, but they were outnumbered. It was a fight to the death. Chaos was everywhere. Calaway was about to join his father in death...
"Calaway?"
Lisa's voice bought Calaway back to reality. Calaway was on his knees sweating bullets.
"Are you okay?" Lisa asked. Genguine concern was on her face.
"Yes, I'm fine," Calaway said.
"You don't look it," Lisa said. "You were yelling. "You're all pale and sweaty."
"I'll be fine, Lisa," Calaway said, getting to his feet. "Thank you for your concern, hon, go back to sleep.
As Lisa got back into bed, Calaway took off his tank top, which was soaked to the bone with sweat. He went into the bathroom and dried himself off with a towel. Then he splashed cold water on his face. He then climbed into his bed. He looked over at Lisa. She looked really peaceful, like an angel. Part of Calaway wanted to walk over to her and kiss her on the forehead, but he decided against it. It was weird, how badly he wanted to strangle her one minute, now wanted to kiss her the next minute. Why were humans weird like that?
"Life is too damn enigmatic," muttered Calaway before drifting off to sleep.