9

A Chapter by Bob

They had passed Jim’s sister house by miles more than once and headed to neighbouring and distant towns in their travels. They’d put it off for a long while and time flew by because of the fun they were having or just that both of them felt fulfilled on the road, they had noticed it but still did what they came out here to do. School had long since started and guilt was settling in as he saw his mother sitting alone in that house waiting for him. This was the reason he eventually got around to getting Jim to his destination, he felt guilty for dragging him along although he knew that Jim was having just as much fun as him and that if John asked he would tag along all the way. They had discussed it and they could not keep her waiting either so when they pulled up at the house they felt the exact opposite of what they’d been feeling the whole time they’d been on the road. Jim’s sister clearly wasn’t as liberal as her younger brother but she loved him that much was evident. She made lunch, which mostly consisted of fruit, and out on the balcony overlooking the ocean John didn’t mind one bit. They told her tales of their adventures but sugar coated the gory details and when she asked them about their plans, even she couldn’t help but join in on their laughter. Her husband was working late and John wanted to get moving before he was suckered into what he assumed would be a vegan dinner. John sat in the truck and waved one last time at Jim’s sister, “It’s been a blast kiddo.” “Just drive Johnny, this is hard enough.” John laughed, “If you ever head back home mind checking in on the old lady for me.” “Sure thing man, turns out the apple didn’t fall to far from the tree. “These aren’t really ordinary circumstances so cut me some slack.” He started the truck, pulled out of the driveway, and waved as he drove off. Twenty minutes later, he was at the petrol station using their toilet. When he got back to the truck, he recognised a familiar face in the passenger seat. “Damn I thought I’d finally gotten rid of you.” “One more minute there with them and I’d be doing two counts of life.” John was laughing as he started driving again, “Too bad, not everyone’s as chipper as me Jimbo.” “They’re anything but chipper right now especially after I had him break the sound barrier to catch up with you.” “He sure did a good job of it and it’s a good thing he did especially since there’s no other way of you getting in touch with me... oh wait.” “You know I’d probably just lose a phone man but look at this Johnny,” he took a wad of cash from his pocket, “a little please don’t come here again/thank you for leaving early gift from our friends.” What should have been them parting ways turned into another fun stop on the road and both of them couldn’t be happier.

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