A Seven-Seat Suv Couldn’t Fit Five People. So I Stopped Being Their Tool Chapter 01

A Seven-Seat Suv Couldn’t Fit Five People. So I Stopped Being Their Tool Chapter 01

Thanksgiving. Five of us. One road trip.

The suitcase wouldn’t fit in the trunk.

Dorian put the third row down without a word. Packed everything in neatly.

Five people. Four seats.

Mila said, half-heartedly, “Maybe I’ll leave my suitcase.”

The two friends answered at once. “No way. You’ll need it on the road.”

Everyone looked at me.

My boyfriend Dante handed me his backpack. “Elara. You can handle it alone.”

“Take a train to the next stop. Seven hours. We’ll meet you.”

He’d already looked up the schedule on his phone.

“Fastest one’s at 2:30. We’ll pick you up when you arrive.”

He didn’t ask if I wanted to.

I took the train alone.

When I got off, I sent my location. No one replied.

An hour later, Mila posted a sunset photo. Different outfits.

[The trip’s crowded, but favor never misses.]

Location: a hundred miles in the opposite direction. An old town.

Julian commented: [So pretty.]

Dante: [Perfect. Worth bringing the suitcase.]

In that moment.

I suddenly felt nothing.

—

9:40 PM. Half the lights in the arrivals hall were off.

Dante’s call came when I was standing at the exit of a strange city.

Two suitcases, phone in hand, looking at the map.

“Elara. Where’d you put Mila’s eye drops? She says her eyes are dry.”

I took two seconds to catch up.

“In the side pocket of my gray suitcase. I packed them for her before we left.”

“Which side? Left or right?”

“Left. There’s a little bear charm on the zipper.”

Rummaging on his end. Then Mila’s soft voice.

“Found it. Thanks, Elara.”

Dante didn’t say anything else to me. Casual.

“Okay. Find a hotel for tonight. We’ll pick you up tomorrow.”

I opened my mouth.

“Weren’t you arriving tonight? I booked an inn for five.”

“Change of plan. Mila says there’s a famous food festival on the way.”

“They want to check it out first.”

“Driving too long is dangerous. Better to stop nearby tonight. Head over tomorrow.”

Dorian’s voice drifted from the background.

“Elara can handle things alone. Let her stay. She’s not a kid.”

Julian said nothing. But no one objected.

I looked down at my phone.

The five-person inn booking page was still open.

“So I’m staying at the inn alone tonight?”

“Mm. The room’s empty anyway.”

Dante’s voice even sounded pleased. Like this was a reasonable arrangement.

“You’ve got the itinerary, right?”

“You probably already looked up places to eat nearby. Go get something.”

Then he added.

“Sleep early. Don’t stay up.”

Probably the gentlest thing he’d said to me all day.

Before he hung up, I heard Mila laughing beside him.

“Dante. I want that cheese hot dog.”

“Okay.”

He answered fast.

I stood at the station exit. Late September wind. Cold.

Walking to the inn, I replayed the day in my head.

A month before we left, I made the itinerary.

Car, rooms, route, daily schedule.

Three nights. A twelve-page document. Sent to the five-person group.

Mila replied with a great emoji.

Dorian: Fine. You’re in charge.

Julian liked it.

Dante: Thanks, babe.

Then today, when a seven-seat SUV couldn’t fit five people plus luggage, I was the one left to take the train.

Now they’d changed the route again.

—

The inn.

The owner saw me alone with my suitcase. Surprised.

“Wasn’t it five people?”

“They’re coming tomorrow.”

“Oh. So you’re alone tonight in this big room?”

I smiled. Didn’t answer.

The five-person room was huge.

A circle of couches in the living room. A welcome fruit plate on the table.

Five forks.

I sat down. Opened the group chat.

Newest message from Mila. Nine photos.

Standing at a food stall. Half a hot dog in her hand. Smiling at the camera.

[Plans change, but surprises never miss.]

Dorian: Good photos. Finally learning to take photos.

Julian: a clapping emoji.

Dante: [Is the hot dog good?]

Mila:[ Didn’t you just try it? Why ask me.]

I put the phone face down.

Five forks in the fruit plate.

I picked one up. Speared a piece of watermelon.

Bit into it. Not sweet.

Numbness spread.

And I thought, maybe a solo trip suits me better.