Lucid Waking

Archive for July 18th, 2006

Car Trip

Originally published September 11, 2005

           “Are we there yet?”
            The dreaded question was said at least once every five minutes. It was almost becoming as reliable as the digital clock on the dashboard. And it was becoming so desperate she didn’t even have to answer no.
           Damn you, Jack she thought smiling. How in the world did you convince me to go on a road trip alone with the kids?
            The questions went on until ten o’clock, when the kids went to sleep. She pulled into a small motel and stopped the car. It was a dirty old place, but cheap enough for her needs.
           “I’d like a room with two beds please.”
           “$60,” the clerk at the counter said monotonously. She was tall and thin, with long black hair and thick black makeup drowning out her delicate features.
           “You’ve got to be kidding me!” she exclaimed.
           “That’s our price, ma’am,” the clerk said, without a change in either her voice or expression.
           She slammed fifty dollars down on the table. “Give me a key. I’ve been traveling for eighteen hours today with four kids asking every five minutes if we’ve arrived. I’m not going to pay more than fifty for a room!”