by Bob Blanton
“Yes, it is soooo boring,” Brianna said. “And every time I try to spice it up, I get busted.”
“And look at this,” Alex said, holding her backpack by two fingers. “No books!”
“Come on, let’s go to the beach,” Emily said.
“I’ll meet you there,” Alex said. “I have to change first.”
“Me too.”
“Matthew looked at his and Jason’s navy shorts and blue oxford shirt, “I’m good.”
“Me too. See you girls at the Pacific Coast Grill,” Jason said.
“Not so fast,” Brianna said. “You have to give me a ride home so I can change.”
“I’ll give you a ride, Brea,” Emily said. “Then they can grab us a table before the whole school gets there.”
“Yes, and we can make fun of the geeks in their school uniform when we get there.”
Road Trip
“Hi, Matt, is your mom home?” Emily asked, when Matthew answered the door.
“Sure, she’s about to make dinner,” Matthew replied. “What are you two doing here?”
“We have a proposition for your mom,” Jason said.
“Hmm, I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”
“Trust us, it’ll be great, just wait until you hear.”
“Okay,” Matthew said, dubiously. “Come on in.”
“Hello, Mrs. Brandt,” Emily said.
“I’ve told you to call me Margaret,” Mrs. Brandt said. “What brings you two over?”
“They have a proposition for you,” Matthew said.
Mrs. Brandt gave Matthew a look. “Don’t look at me, I’m innocent here, nobody’s been talking to me,” he said, holding his hands up.
“Okay, so what’s up?” Mrs. Brandt asked.
“Well, you guys are getting ready to take a road trip next week,” Emily said. “And we were wondering how you were feeling about traveling cross country with a six-year-old.”
“Not particularly excited, but we’ll do okay,” Mrs. Brandt replied.
“And both ways,” Jason added.
“Okay give; what are you two thinking?” Mrs. Brandt asked.
“Well we were thinking that you might be amenable to exchanging one six-year old for two seventeen-year olds,” Emily said. “Well, one seventeen-year-old and one almost seventeen-year-old.
“Now, how would that work?” Mrs. Brandt asked.
“Well, my mother and I are going to New York for a few weeks to do shopping, the shows and museums. We’re giving the Winthrops a ride out on the jet. So we thought that if you wanted to, you could send Jessica with Hanna and Sonja, while Jason and I joined you and Matt for the cross-country drive.”
“Well, I’m…”
“Wait it gets better,” Jason said. “My dad’s Mercedes lease is up and he wants to return it in New York, so we could drive the Mercedes to New York, then you could come back to San Diego with the Stevensons on their jet.”
Matthew was looking a bit dumbfounded as his friends went through their spiel.
“And what’s the downside of this proposition?” Mrs. Brandt asked.
“Well, you do have to put up with Jason,” Emily said, “but you get to have another woman to commiserate with.”
“Okay, and?”
“Well, I was hoping you would let Sonja stay with you while my mom and I are in New York. You would have Yvette to help, and Sonja and Jessie get along so well.”
“I need to think about this,” Mrs. Brandt said. “What do you think, Matt?”
“I think it sounds like a good deal,” Matthew said. “With the three of us, you wouldn’t have to drive, and we could probably go over a hundred miles without having to stop for a bathroom break.”
“Well, let us think about it,” Mrs. Brandt said. “We’ll let you know.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“You ready, Matt?” Jason called out, as he parked this father’s big Mercedes in the Brandts’ driveway.
“Yes, your mom picked Jessie up an hour ago,” Matthew said. “I guess they’re airborne by now. Hi, Emily,” he added, as Emily got out of the car.
“Hi, Matt, I’m glad your mom agreed to our proposal.”
“It’s a great deal for her. Driving cross country with Jessie would have been tough,” Matthew said. “I just don’t know what you guys are getting out of it.”
“Real driving experience. I only get to drive up and down I-5 and around Rancho Santa Fe. This will be like a year’s worth of driving in just a few days.”
“Go on in, I’ll put our bags in the trunk.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“Okay, is everyone ready?” Mrs. Brandt asked. “Emily, why don’t you drive first. It’s eight o’clock, so we’re going to be hitting some commute traffic.”
Matthew made a face as he got into the back of the Mercedes.
“Matt, you can drive right after the first stop; I think we’ll make that Alpine. That way you can get in all the mountain driving today.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Matthew said, realizing his mother had things well planned, and feeling bad about wanting to complain.
After a few arguments about the music, everyone settled in for the drive. Matthew tried to read, but Jason wanted to talk, and with all the chattering going on, he just gave up.
“Okay, Alpine is just ahead and it’s nine-thirty. Emily, just find a café or something to stop at and we’ll all take a short break, and then Matt can drive. We’ll stop in Yuma for lunch, then Jason can drive us to Phoenix.”
“Okay, this exit coming up shows a gas pump and a fork, so we could fill up and find a café.”
“Sure, it’s always a good idea to keep the tank full when you’re heading into the mountains or desert, and we’re doing both,” Mrs. Brandt said.
Emily and Jason both got a coffee at the Starbucks, while Matthew and Mrs. Brandt just shared a drink of water from a water bottle. “You guys know that all you’re doing is guaranteeing that we’re going to have to stop in El Centro, don’ t you?” Matthew asked.
“We have to go right through the center of town anyway, so what’s the difference?” Jason retorted.
“Just like having Jessie along,” Matthew said.
◆ ◆ ◆
Matthew enjoyed the mountain driving, such as it was. The mountains of southern California really petered out when they approached the Mexican border. At least there was some winding road when they dropped down into Ocotillo. Then after a short but predictable stop in El Centro, it was nothing but fast desert driving to Yuma. He managed as many miles that day as he had since he got his permit.
◆ ◆ ◆
Jason had been cruising for 1½ hours when the traffic started piling up. They were just approaching Gila Bend. “What’s up with this,” he said, “it’s only two o’clock.”
“Let me look,” Matthew pretended to be checking his phone, but what he really did was use his portal to check out the situation. “There’s an accident up ahead,” Matthew said. “The whole interstate is shut down. Take the next exit, and I’ll see if I can find a route around it.
Matthew got a bird’s-eye view of the situation and quickly found an easy way to bypass the accident.
“Take this road north until you hit Indian Road. Then go east until you hit old Highway 66, we’ll take the scenic route to Phoenix.”
“You’re sure handy to have around,” Emily whispered.
“All in a day’s work,” Matthew whispered back.
Lunch, Oh My
“You guys ready for lunch?” Mrs. Brandt asked. After spending the night in Flagstaff, they were heading east toward Amarillo.
“Yes, anything to break the monotony,” Matthew said. “I’m having trouble keeping my eyes open.”
“That’s the problem with driving on these long, deserted stretches of roads,” Mrs. Brandt said. “But I cannot believe my scintillating conversation isn’t keeping you awake.”
“Oh, it is,” Matthew replied. “If it weren’t for that, I’d have passed out hours a
go.”
“I’ll remind you of that when you’re ignoring me,” Mrs. Brandt said. “Now take the next exit; there’s a little town just off the exit. We should be able to find a café.”
“Why don’t we just do McDonalds?” Jason asked.
“Half this trip is about experiencing the country. You can go to McDonalds anywhere, but a small town café is something unique.”
“Hey, I’ll eat anywhere you want,” Matthew, said. “Just point me.” Matthew took the exit. At the bottom of the ramp he made the left toward the town.
“There’s a café,” Emily said, pointing to a diner sign.
Matthew pulled the big Mercedes into the parking lot. “This one’s at the edge of town; are you sure you don’t want to go all the way in? We might be missing something.”
“Don’t get smart,” Mrs. Brandt said. “We’ll try this one out. If you guys don’t find it acceptable when compared to McDonalds, we’ll find one a little farther off the highway next time.”
The four got out of the car and entered Jake’s diner. It was a small place with only eight tables and six bar stools. It looked clean, but old.
“Kind of slow,” Jason said, reflecting the fact that there were only three tables occupied.
“It’s one-thirty, whatever lunch time rush they have is over,” Mrs. Brandt said. “I hope they’re still serving.”
“How are you folks doing?” the sole waitress said. “I’m Shirley; take a seat anywhere you like and I’ll bring you some menus.”
“Where are the restrooms?” Mrs. Brandt asked.
“Just over there,” Shirley said, pointing to the sign at the back of the diner. “Gents on the right, ladies on the left.”
Mrs. Brandt and Emily headed off to the restroom, while Matthew and Jason took a seat at a table by the big, plate-glass window that looked out at the parking lot.
“Nice view,” Jason said.
◆ ◆ ◆
“I’ll have the cowboy burger and fries,” Jason said.
“That cowboy burger is too much,” Emily said. “Plus fries, your crazy.”
“Well, having a chicken salad doesn’t seem very small town,” Jason countered. “I’m trying to have the heartland experience.”
“It’ll be a heart attack experience it you keep eating like that. Matt at least ordered the small burger.”
“That’s because his mother is watching,” Jason said.
“Kids!” Mrs. Brandt scolded. “Jason doesn’t have to eat the whole thing.”
“See,” Jason said. “But I probably will.”
Mrs. Brandt opened the map. “I think we can make it to Oklahoma City before too late. Jason, why don’t you look for a place to stay just before we have to get on the 44-Turnpike. That way we can start out tomorrow morning moving against traffic.”
“On it,” Jason replied. He opened his phone and started searching for hotels while pointedly ignoring Emily.
◆ ◆ ◆
Shirley had just finished refilling Mrs. Brandt’s coffee when a beat-up Ford pulled into the parking lot spewing smoke.
“Geez, what some people will drive,” Shirley said, as she walked away.
“Man, they need to drive that car to the dump and walk home,” Jason said.
“It sure is a wreck,” Emily agreed.
Two men crawled out of the Ford, both wearing jeans and black t-shirts. It was obvious that they hadn’t shaved for a few days, and it was questionable whether they’d had a bath in the same period of time.
“What rock did they crawl out from under?” Emily said.
As the two men entered the diner, they gave everyone one a once over, blatantly staring at each table.
“They give me the creeps,” Emily said.
“Just ignore them,” Mrs. Brandt said, as she sipped her coffee.
Shirley walked over to the newcomers, “You boys are kind of late; we’re all through serving lunch.”
The bigger of the two men looked a little confused and started to say something, but Shirley interrupted.
“But, just have a seat over there, and I’ll check to see if the cook will keep the kitchen open for you,” she said with a smile.
The two men took a seat in the booth next to the door where Shirley had indicated. Shirley went into the back to talk to the cook.
“He says he’ll make up something for you,” Shirley said. “Now can I get you boys something to drink?”
“Ice tea,” the little man said. The big man just nodded in agreement.
“You boys need to get yourselves some new wheels,” Shirley said, as she set two ice teas on the table. “That old clunker of yours ain’t going to make it very far. You need to get one of them foreign cars that’s real reliable, like a Mercedes.”
“We’ll pick one up right after lunch,” the small man laughed. “Right, Luke?”
“Good by me,” the big man replied.
The two men, who had just finished their lunch at the back table got up and headed to the cash register. “Let me take care of these men, then I’ll be right back to take your order.”
Shirley went to the cash register and the two men paid their check. “You all hurry back now,” Shirley said as they left.
She looked at Mrs. Brandt. “How’re you doing over there; do you want any dessert? We have some real nice pies.”
“Pie sounds good,” Matthew said.
“Okay, let me take these boys’ order and I’ll be right over.”
“Now, what’ll you boys be having?” Shirley asked, as she walked over to the two newcomers.
“Pie sounds good; what kind of pie do you have?” the small man asked.
“We’ve got pecan, apple, peach; why we’ve got seven different kinds of pie,” Shirley said. “Do you want to come over to the counter and see what tickles your fancy?”
The two men got up and walked over to the counter with Shirley. “These are some mighty nice looking pies you have here,” he said. “Are they all fresh?”
“Yes, Bo made them this morning,” Shirley said, “didn’t you, Bo?” Shirley motioned at the cook.
The cook came out of the kitchen. “You boys going to have anything besides pie?” he asked. “Cause if you ain’t, I want to shut the grill off.”
The small man looked at the big man who was now leaning against the door. “Luke, pie make you happy?”
The big man smiled and nodded his head. Then he stepped back and pulled a gun out of his jacket. His bulk totally blocked the door.
The small man pulled a gun, also. “Now you two, I don’t want to shoot anybody, so you just come out here and sit in that booth over there.”
“Crap, we’re in the middle of a robbery,” Jason said.
“Kids, just relax,” Mrs. Brandt said. “We’ve got to stay calm, and this will all be over soon.”
“I don’t want to see anyone with no cell phones,” the small man said. “In fact, I want to see everybody place their hands on their table.”
Matthew had already dialed 911 on his cell phone when the big man had pulled his gun. He was holding the cell phone under the table, but now he set it on the seat beside him. He was using his portal to listen in to the operator, as he put his hands on the table as ordered.
“Now just stay calm while we go about our business, and nobody gets hurt.”
“What’s the emergency?” the operator asked on the cell phone.
“We’re in Jake’s Diner and it’s being robbed,” Matthew whispered under his breath, the portal carrying his voice to the phone. “Two men with guns.”
“Anyone else?”
“Not that I see,” Matthew replied.
“Hang tight, we’ll have a patrol officer there as soon as we can.”
Matthew used his portal to turn the phone off and slide it behind his back. When he looked up, Emily was giving him an expectant look.
“What?” he whispered into her ear using his portal.
“Do something?” she whispered back.
“I c
alled the cops, what else can we do?”
“I don’t know, but I’m not sure these guys are going to just take our money.”
Matthew reached over and slid his mother’s coffee to Emily.
“I’ve engaged the safety on their guns,” he whispered to Emily.
“That’ll work for the first second,” Emily whispered back.
“Hopefully, we won’t need to do anything, but if we do, then you’ve got the big guy. Throw the coffee into his face. Aim for his eyes.”
“Why do I get the big guy?” Emily whispered back.
“Because I don’t think he’s too bright. He’ll just scream; the little guy is the dangerous one,” Matthew said. Then he moved one end of the portal to the grill and the other into the coffee cup and started heating the coffee up.
The little guy had cleaned out the cash register, and now he was asking the couple at the far table to hand over their wallets and jewelry.
“Get their stuff, including their car keys,” he said to the big man, pointing at the table with Matthew’s group.
Matthew moved to the edge of the bench and shifted his eyes between the big man and Emily’s cup. The coffee was scalding hot by now.
As the small man backed away from the couple’s table, he pointed his gun at the man.
“You said you weren’t going to shoot anybody,” the man pleaded.
“I lied,” the small man said, as he pulled the trigger. He looked confused when the gun didn’t go off. The man and his wife ducked under the table. Matthew used that second of confusion to launch himself at the small man.
Matthew could hear the big man scream behind him as Emily threw her cup of scalding liquid into his face.
The small man realized that the safety must be on, but before he could switch it off Matthew had grabbed his wrist and twisted it behind his back. He kept twisting the wrist until the man dropped the gun. He could hear his mother behind him screaming his name. Matthew spun around and drove his elbow into the man’s temple. Then he raced back across the room to where Jason and Emily were trying to pin the big man against the wall. He did a quick punch to the man’s throat, and the big man dropped to his knees gasping for breath.
“Stupid, Stupid, Stupid. Of all the lame brain things to do, leaving the safety on,” Shirley yelled behind Matthew. “I don’t know why I even bothered to pick you boys up.”
