Chapter 5

“God, is that what you thought? No, I moved because my friend was moving out of that place and I could afford the rent. If it wasn’t so close, I wouldn’t have moved.”

“Oh.” CJ stared straight ahead, his fists wringing the steering wheel. How many times had he cried himself to sleep because Mimi was gone and it was all his fault? Everything was always his fault.

“I thought you were mad at me. I thought that’s why it was so hard to get you to come over the first few months.” Mimi kissed CJ’s cheek and said, “I love you.”

CJ dragged his forearm across his face and mentally shook off the rush of emotions. “Me too.” Why couldn’t he say I love you?

Mimi yawned. “Mind if I nap for a while?”

“No, jump in the back.”

“Nah, that’s the sleeping compartment, I only need a quick nap.”

CJ watched with curiosity while Mimi removed her shoes and socks and fell sideways, using a sweatshirt on his thigh as a pillow. She brought her legs up until her body fit snugly on the seat beside him. They had fallen asleep together many times while hiding in closets or under beds and on Mimi’s couch, but this was different.

It was strange and uncomfortable because of how intimate it felt. Mimi sighed, squirmed, and settled in. He listened to her slow, steady breathing. Of course, they’re silly thoughts, CJ reminded himself, they always had been.

The LeMans floated on its coil springs, drinking gasoline as the mile markers counted down New Jersey. CJ thought about the woman using his thigh as a pillow. It was ridiculous to believe Mimi would blow everything off and hit the road.

It didn’t make sense, and mostly, CJ didn’t want it to be true. He needed her to be what she had always been, the one person he could count on and his only reason to ever go home.

The part of CJ that was happy Mimi had come increased with each passing mile. Silly, childish thoughts slipped in and gradually became hopes and dreams. He wanted to wake Mimi, hear her giggle, watch her laugh, and hold her hand. They used to do that when they were both young, but Mimi became an adult while he was just a boy.

Mimi finally stirred. “Are we there yet?” She wrangled her body around until she was on her back with her knees up and feet against the window.

CJ looked at her for the ten-thousandth time since Mimi went to sleep. “No, but you slept through New Jersey and Delaware.”

“Are you serious?” Mimi arched, digging her head into his leg, and pushed her chest up. CJ blushed and looked away. “You should of woke me.”

“You worked late, so.” He shrugged.

“Thank you.” Mimi touched his face. “I gotta pee.”