PART III: LOVE OF SPROCKET AND OF JUAN

chapter 4

 

            Jake was in Bertha’s driver’s seat, although he wasn’t driving. Juan and Katie’s family found it a bit rude to drive something that had a soul—or in this case, a spark. Katie and Joey were in the backseats of Sprocket. Katie was sleeping, her head on top of Joey’s head, who would usually never allow that except for the fact he was totally unaware she was doing it, because he was asleep, too. The stars were glistening deeply, looking like a bunch of sequins on a dark, velvety blanket that covered the earth. Sprocket had opened private communications with Bertha and had asked her how it felt to know she was going to see her adopted human son. She laughed.

            “He ain’t my son! If he were, I’d make him clean his room more. Hell no, he’s my best friend, and I can’t wait to see him. But how we going to get him out, Sprocket? Even when we get there, it’ll only be about three in the morning.” Sprocket’s signal crinkled with static. “Oh, I have a plan.” He said, smiling internally. “Could you at least clue me in?” Bertha asked.

            “We’re both almost as tall as a two-story building…we sneak Katie and in, she sneaks Juan out; we transform, get into some trouble, then take Juan back before the nurses even notice.” He said. “Great plan, maestro. They’re gonna notice, Sprocks.” He couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s why it’s so much fun. Would you rather spend your birthday in the hospital where everything was routine? Let’s shake `em up a little. Juan doesn’t mind getting into a little trouble. Besides, we’ll tell Lisa.” Bertha snorted. “His mom? She’ll come looking for us, you know,” she said. Bertha and Lisa, Juan’s mother, knew each other pretty well, and both just really wanted the best for Juan. But, so did Sprocket and Katie, although their versions of “the best for Juan” where a bit different than hers.

            Jake snored loudly, allowing himself to wake up for a moment, and then roll over and re-adjust his seat before falling back to sleep again. Bertha smiled. “Just this one time, Sprocket, just this one time I’m doing something crazy with you.” “Oh, I’m sure we’ll have other chances to have fun together again.” Sprocket guffawed loudly. “Shhhh,” Katie whispered between sleep talking; “You’ll wake the dog.”

            Bertha just laughed. “Are you hitting on me, old man?”

            He turned the sharp, curving road and cut in front of Bertha, flirting with her. “And what if I was? God…doesn’t the sky look beautiful? Look—I can see Ursula Major from here!”