Read Online Away by Megan Linski - Free Book Online

frustration. It takes me two seconds to decide. I get off at the next exit and turn east. Looks like I’m going to get pizza.
     
    *
     
    In ten years, nothing about this place had changed. There was still the smell of baking bread and tomato sauce wafting through the door. The small salad bar was still in the corner, the grapevine wallpaper hadn’t been replaced, and it still only had thirteen tables. Even the coloring I had done as a child was still hanging above me and Jack’s “regular table.” But even at the same time as it hadn’t changed, it was completely different. This wasn’t home anymore. Even though I had been here hundreds of times, I might as well have never been here at all. Not after what had happened today.
    The only people in here are Jack and I. It’s so late at night that they’re an hour away from closing. I see a waitress grabbing menus and silverware as we sit down in the same seats we always used to. Jack and I didn’t even have to ask each other. We just did it.
    “What can I get you to start off with?” the waitress asks, glancing back and forth to both of us. This is the same woman that used to wait on us ten years ago. All of it is making my head spin. “Just water,” I tell her.
    “I’ll have coffee, Dolly,” Jack says, taking the menu from her lightly.
    The woman’s face becomes confused. “Wait a minute...” she peers at my father’s face, then lights up. “Jack McGowan, is that you?”
    “It sure is!” Jack says, laughing. He shakes her hand and she turns to me. “And beautiful Rosemary? The last time I saw you, you were no taller than my hip!”
    Jack glances my way, and I know it’s time to act. “It’s me,” I chuckle nervously. “Just out for dinner with...dad. We haven’t been here in forever.”
    “Then I’m guessing you’re gonna be wanting your usual, right?” she asks, holding up a notepad.
    What was my usual? I have no idea. “Uh...give me a minute to look over the menu,” I said, holding it up fairly. I bury my nose in its pockets but cannot stand to read over the sound of my father and Dolly gossiping and catching up on the times.
    “What brings you back around here?” Dolly asks.
    “Oh, you know. Rosemary just decided to come visit, and we were in the area so we figured why not stop in,” Jack smiles.
    The lines on the page are so blurry I’m wondering if I need glasses. Shutting the menu with a snap, I stand up. The conversation halts and both look at me. Forcing out a laugh, I smile at them and say, “The usual sounds great. I’ve got to go to the bathroom, sorry...”
    I walk as fast as I can away from the table and into the one room bathroom. Locking the door, I sit on the toilet and begin rocking back and forth, my hands in my hair. I can’t do this. Smile at the waitress and act like nothing’s wrong, act like I was out for a visit with dear old dad. How did I expect myself to sit another half hour at the dining table, when freedom was no more than a few words away?
    “Rosemary? You alright in there honey?” Jack asks as he pounds on the door.
    Gasping for air, I squeeze out, “Yes Dad! I’m just not feeling well...I think it’s because I’m hungry!”
    “Well we’ve come to the right place then,” he chuckles. “Don’t take too long, food’ll be out soon!”
    I stand up. I have an idea. When we go to say goodbye after the meal I’ll hug Dolly, and then whisper to her that I’m in trouble. It’ll be so natural that Jack won’t even notice. Then she can notify the police, and they’ll find us in no time. I wash my face and fix my hair. I have to appear as normal as possible, so Dolly doesn’t think me insane. I plaster a smile on my face and step out of the bathroom.
    I can’t do this, I think as I see Jack smiling at me from the table, giving me a friendly wave as I draw closer and closer. I’m about to have dinner with my kidnapper of a father. This is insane.
    Dolly comes out to refill Jack’s drink and