The road trip began uneventfully. We stopped to gas up first. I didn’t even let Evan out of the SUV to investigate the pump machine. Lord knows we didn’t need to create an explosive geyser right now. It was far more important to maintain an air of anonymity.
The doctor came back to the SUV with an armful of goodies for us. These definitely would not be categorized as “healthy” snacks. But oh my goodness! If I didn’t like the doctor before, I love him now! Whoever invented those little white donut pastries in an easy-to-carry package was an absolute genius! Now I know why mom never brought these to the ranch. The boys and I would probably want to survive on only their meager nutrients for the rest of our lives!
I looked up from my now empty package only to see Cole watching me with a laughter that was barely contained.
“What’s so funny?” I asked, miffed.
“You. You’re such a weird girl. One minute you’re scissor-kicking your brothers and the next, you’re licking the inside of a donut wrapper. You have white powder all over your face!” Cole’s laughter just bubbled up from his tummy. If he weren’t laughing at me, it would have been fascinating to watch because he was so darn cute. As it was, I was blushing mad.
“You think I’m ‘weird?’ Hey doc, pull over. I think your baby boy here needs to see how ‘weird’ I can get.”
“Come on now, we’ve got a long ride ahead of us. We don’t need to start off on the wrong foot.” The doctor was trying to keep the peace, but his spawn had just started a fight, and I was itching to put him in his place.
You would think, after all the years I’ve spent with my brothers, they would know when it was a good idea to tease me and when it wasn’t. Apparently, they’re not that observant.
“So Meg, the white powder is very becoming on you. Maybe you’d like to open the jelly donuts and add a bit of color to your lips?” chirped Alik.
“And how about some eye shadow? You could use some melted chocolate. Then you’d look downright yummy.” Evan chimed in.
They were all snickering at the images they’d created in their minds.
Now, I know I should have just laughed this off. They were just boys being boys, and everyone was feeling a little anxious and bored. They’re just teasing to letting off steam. Blah, blah, blah.
But I couldn’t.
Maze, who had been sound asleep in the far back seat sat up and whined. He was looking right at me, expecting what was about to come.
So, did I mention that one of the techniques we were taught in karate was how to battle on our knees? No? Well, I’m pretty sure Cole didn’t know about it either.
I didn’t need the doctor to pull over. It just probably would have been safer for the passengers if he had. No matter.
With one quick motion, I unbuckled my seat belt and elbowed Alik in the chest catching completely off guard and in mid-laugh. Evan had half a second to brace himself before my palm made contact with the side of his face.
Cole didn’t know what hit him. Since he was sitting in the front passenger seat, the best tactic to use on him was to wrap my arms around his neck and pull. Did I mention how strong I am?
So now the quick-to-learn doctor pulls the SUV over and barks at me to back off.
“Good grief, Meg! You have to learn to control that temper! They were just teasing you, for goodness’ sake! You don’t need to kill someone for that, do you?” The dear ‘ole doc was a bit miffed at me.
“Depends on what they’re saying,” I mumbled still fuming.
I’m learning all sorts of things about myself on this adventure. First, I love powdered donuts. Second, I hate being teased. And third, apparently I’ve got a temper. Oh yeah, this adventure was sure to be even more enlightening with every passing day.
Chapter 26 Road Trip, Take Two
Things calmed down for a bit. I was reading a dictionary. (I know that is a little strange. But what can I say, I love words.) Alik was working on adding to his physique, as usual, by doing handgrips. And Evan was working on multiple Sudoku puzzles at once. (That’s the only way they were any bit challenging for him.) Cole had been reading a book, but stopped, yawned and reached to turn on the SUV’s radio. He looked kinda gorgeous when he wasn’t laughing at me and calling me ‘weird.’
“Oh, this is a great song.” Cole said to no one in particular.
I listened for a minute, trying to figure out who was singing and what they were saying. But mostly I was trying to figure out what was so “great” about this song. It sounded like some man with a strange voice talking (not singing) over a background of pure base rhythms. What on earth?
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who thought this music was horrible because Alik piped up, “This isn’t music! This is noise!”
“Don’t you have any disco we can listen to?” Evan asked innocently.
“Disco? Are you kidding me?” Cole turned around in his seat to give Evan a look of disgust.
“Hey now, there’s nothing wrong with disco,” the doctor said defensively.