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1
By mid-afternoon the following day, Amberlin and Evelyn had their clothes packed in suitcases and duffle bags and loaded on top of Ben’s VW bus. Lunch had been quieter than normal with no one wanting to talk about the pending departure, but now the time for goodbyes had arrived.
As Ben checked to be sure the luggage was securely tied to the rack, Amberlin and Evelyn hugged first Canyon, and then little Matty. The little boy seemed confused by what was happening but, noticing everyone else was crying, joined in as well. Last of all the two Gentry women came to Miriam.
“This is all so sudden,” Miriam said as she hugged the two of them, “but if you know it’s the right thing to do, I’ll trust it’s all in divine order. It’s just so sudden,” she repeated.
“Relax," Evelyn said as the three of them stood to hug each other next to the van. "We have it on the best of authority that this is a grand opportunity. If you doubt it, just go down to the pond and ask the turtle. It was a turtle, right, Amberlin?"
“Give me a break. I wish I’d never told you about that.” Amberlin said as she snuffled and wiped her eyes with one of Canyon’s handkerchiefs he’d given her earlier.
“That’s right,” Miriam added sniffling back the tears as well. “God works in mysterious ways. You of all people must know that, Evelyn.”
“True enough,” Evelyn relented, “but a turtle? Couldn’t it have been something more dramatic like an albatross or an eagle...or maybe a lavender unicorn?”
Amberlin laughed despite how she was feeling inside. “I’ll keep an open mind about getting advice from a unicorn in the future. Until then, we’ll just have to make do with the messengers sent to us.”
“Hold on,” Canyon said as he rushed back to the house. “I packed some food for you to eat on the trip. At least it’ll get you started eating well,” he said over his shoulder, returning a minute later with a picnic basket filled with food.
“No one had much of an appetite during lunch,” he explained, “so there was plenty of leftovers. You know Miriam makes the best fried chicken around, warm or cold.”
Evelyn took the basket and gave him another hug as Amberlin opened the side door of the van. The first thing she noticed was the back area filled with an old mattress with blankets and pillows strung about on top of it. “You sleep in this?” she asked, turning to look at Ben.
“Sure thing,” Ben replied. “It’s quite comfortable.”
“What’s that smell?” Evelyn asked as she opened the passenger door.
“Ahh, that’s just some herbs I use to help me sleep,” Ben replied, his face suddenly growing red.
“Well, you’re sure as hell going to have to find a different sleep aid,” Evelyn bit back. “There’ll be no pot smoking while I’m part of this troupe. You hear?”
“Yes, ma'am,” Ben replied.
“And don’t call me ma'am,” Evelyn shot back. “My name is Evelyn, or if you prefer, Spooks.” She glanced back to where Miriam was standing next to Canyon. “It was good enough for the asylum, and I have a feeling this trip will be just as crazy. So, no more Evelyn Gentry. Never heard of her. Right?” Everyone nodded.
“Okay, Spooks it is from now on,” Ben said. He walked around to the driver’s side of the van, whistling the tune, “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” as he climbed in.
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2
“I KNOW OF A PLACE A few miles down the road where we can stop,” Ben said from the driver’s seat.
“No, I think we should keep on going,” Spooks countered from the passenger’s seat. “We’ve been on the road for less than two hours. Besides, we have the food Canyon packed for us.
“Well, I know but...” Ben started to say, but Spooks interrupted, ...”I said we’ll keep driving.”
“Who the hell made you boss?” Ben countered back.
“Why, of course, I'm in charge," Spooks replied, turning towards him. "After all, I'm the adult here, and besides, that's the job of a band's manager."
“No it's not," Ben shot back. "It was my idea to form a band to start with, it's my set of wheels, and I'm the one with the connections, so it only makes sense that I'm in charge. So, I say we stop when..."
“Now wait just a minute,” Spooks interrupted again.
“Hey, guys, stop arguing,” Amberlin said from the rear of the van where she’d been rearranging the pillows and blankets. “Besides, you’re both wrong.”
“We are?” Ben and Spooks asked simultaneously.
“That’s right,” Amberlin replied. “Neither of you are in charge because I am.”
“What?" Ben asked looking at Amberlin in the rearview mirror. "You?"
“Why you?” Spooks asked as she turned and stared at her daughter.
“Simple. If I'm not the leader, then you'll be out a lead singer, Ben, and you'll be on your own, Spooks, to hide from the law." Amberlin paused to let her words sink in. "But most of all, because I care for you both and will do my level best to keep everyone's interest at heart. That's not to say that you all don't have important roles to play as well. Ben, you're in charge of making the initial contacts and booking gigs. Your job is also to maintain the van and musical instruments. Spooks, you're in charge of logistics: getting us from point A to B, keeping the books, our schedule, arranging our meals, etc. If either of you needs money you come to me."
There was a long pause as Ben and Spooks considered her points. Finally, Ben spoke up. “Speaking of money and maintaining the van...” Before he could complete his thought, the VW suddenly sputtered and jerked a few times before dying, slowly coming to a stop.
“What I was trying to say back there several miles ago. We need to stop for gas.”