Page 18 of Consumed By Fire
"Take this exit, baby. There's a hotel where we can spend the night," he says, and I can't blame him. It's ten pm and we haven't had dinner.
"Okay," I say as I enter the parking lot.
"There's a takeaway there. Go get dinner while I handle the rooms. I know it's not healthy but it’s okay for one night,” he says, handing me fifty dollars.
"What do you want me to get you?" I ask, ignoring the money.
"Whatever you’re getting."
"Okay," I say and head for the restaurant.
10
DYLAN
I’m tired and I want to sleep.
"Good evening. I’d like two single rooms just for tonight."
"I'm sorry, we only have a double. Will that be okay?" the concierge asks me.
"Of course, thanks."
"Number 306 is your room, up on the third floor. Unfortunately, the kitchen is closed at this time and we no longer do room service."
"No problem,” I say, picking up the key as Charlotte enters the hotel with our dinner.
I take her bag and we go up to the room.
"A double?” she asks in surprise as she walks through the door.
"They only had these," I lied to her, not saying this is the only room they have. I don't want to impose myself more than I already have.
"As tired as I am, I’d sleep on the floor if I had to,” she says, taking off her shoes.
We eat and I see her lost in her thoughts.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Dad. I hope the surgery goes well."
"It will be okay. Don't worry."
"Thanks, Dylan, for coming with me."
"I couldn't have let you go alone,” I whisper, getting up and kissing her head. "Go and rest. Tomorrow, we’ll have a long way to go."
"Okay. Good night, Dylan."
"Good night, baby."
I leave her room and go to the car. I head to a gas station to fill the tank and think back to the conversation between Charlotte and her mother. That woman is the devil. I don't want to imagine Charlotte’s life when she lived with her parents. Even though I don't know her, I already hate that woman. Hearing her call Charlotte's unborn baby a bastard made my blood boil. I've bitten my tongue not to argue with her becauseI know how much her words have hurt Charlie. How dare she, after all Charlie has been through? Charlotte is a strong and wonderful woman. I admire her for the courage she had in giving up everyone and walking away, building a new life.
As I return to the hotel, it starts to rain, and I sigh. At least in the covered parking lot, I won’t hear the rain on the roof of the car.
Finding out that such a large hotel had just one free room left me speechless. But with it being late, I didn't want to look for other hotels. Charlotte needs to rest. Driving for many hours is tiring, even though we swapped, taking a break for lunch.
I stretch out in the back seat, finding a comfortable position and shutting my eyes.