In Laymon's Terms

“Well, I guess we can try triple-A now,” he relented. Sonia retrieved the cell phone from her purse and brought it to him without a word. He pulled out the antenna and punched the pre-keyed roadside emergency number, but it didn’t ring. He looked incredulously at the small digital screen as it mocked him with a flashing “NO SIGNAL.” Biting back a fresh curse, he drew back his arm, ready to hurl the useless piece of plastic into the wilderness, but stopped himself short and handed it back to Sonia instead. After a silent moment, she asked him, “Now what, Rich?”

“Give me a minute. I need some water.”

He retrieved a liter bottle from the cooler behind the driver’s seat and listened to the ice clunk around inside as he considered their situation. The water was refreshing. He swallowed slowly, recapped the icy bottle, and pressed it against his forehead. Sweat was running down his face already.

The road they were on was a small secluded one, just what he’d hoped for when the Indian told him about it, but bad for them now. He didn’t remember seeing any cars pass by them since they’d turned off. He pulled out the directions he’d jotted down on the Burger King napkin and looked them over. There should be a service station ahead; that would have been their next turn. Looked like he had a walk ahead of him.

“Okay everybody, listen up. According to the directions that old Indian gave me, there’s a service station up the road a ways. I figure I can walk there in a couple of hours, maybe make it before dark. I’ll buy a new tire there and get a ride back.”

“Sounds good, Dad. Let’s go.” John volunteered.

“No, I’m going alone. I think it’s safer if you all stay here together; I can manage a short walk by myself.”

“But Dad, I’m the track star.” He puffed his chest slightly while Sally rolled her eyes heavenward behind him.

“Sprints and pole vault remember?” she chided. “Not distance.” Under her breath she added, “And not very good at that.”

Rich gathered his patience. “I want you to stay here and watch after your Mom and brother and sister. I’ll be fine on my own.”

Now Sonia spoke up. “Rich, I wish you’d just stay here with us. Somebody’s sure to come along soon.”

“Sonia, how many cars have we seen in the last hour? What if no one comes along? And if they do, just grab a ride with them and pick me up on your way. I’ll be walking along the road the whole way.”

Ignoring the protesting looks from his wife, Rich grabbed a small duffel with a shoulder strap, emptied the contents into the back of the van, loaded it up with a couple of bottles of water, a sandwich and a flashlight, and slung it over his shoulder.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon and we’ll be on our way. I love you.” And with that he kissed Sonia, waved at the kids, and was off.

Sonia watched with a growing sense of dread as the sun sank towards the horizon. An hour and a half since he’d left, Rich still hadn’t returned and no cars had passed by. At least Rich had thought to take a flashlight with him; it might be dark before he got back. Sonia watched the boys playing Frisbee with Scruffy, the dog barking playfully as they tossed it over his head in a game of keep-away. Sally had retreated back into the van to read her magazine in the passenger seat.

The full moon had risen, impatient for night to come, and Sonia kept glancing furtively up at it. It reminded her of a cruel eye staring down at them. Sonia shivered, turning in place and once again taking in the desolation surrounding her. Rich loved the desert, always saying how beautiful and untamed it was, but Sonia shared none of his reverence for it. She was city born and bred, and she got very uncomfortable when there wasn’t at least a building in sight. She hadn’t wanted to take this trip at all, but Rich had been so excited about it—and he always had the last word.

She had to admit, once they got going, she was glad they’d come. It had been a good trip before the blowout, even if Rich was constantly complaining about the kids’ disinterest. Any time she had with her family all together made her happy. It would only be a few more years before John and Sally were both off to college, God knew where. She hated the thought of losing her kids, but they had to grow up sometime, didn’t they? Maybe she’d go back to work then.

Sonia wiped the sweat from her brow, then noticed that the luggage was still piled on the ground, so she walked around to load it back into the van. “Boys, come help me load the bags, it’ll be getting dark soon.”

John made one last long throw out into the distance. “Go fetch it, boy!” Scruffy raced out after it, barking as he went, disappearing over a small rise.

John started back, but Billy waited expectantly for Scruffy to return with the well-chewed Frisbee clenched in his teeth.

“Come on Billy, let’s stay together,” Sonia called.

He looked back at her and said, “It’s Will, Mom.” Then he looked towards the desert. “I’m waiting for Scruffy.”