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they weren’t aware that any of the cars existed. People sauntered
past, moving faster than he was. Fat people, still eating. Probably
eating all day long and slowing the traffic while Erin got farther
and farther away.
His car went forward one length and stopped again. Went
forward and stopped. Over and over. He felt like screaming,
wanted to pound the wheel, but people were everywhere. If he
wasn’t careful someone would say something and Barney Fife
would investigate and remember his out-of-state plates and
probably arrest him on the spot, simply because he wasn’t a local.
Forward and stopping, over and over, movement measured in
inches until he reached the corner. The traffic had to ease up now,
he thought, but it didn’t, and up ahead, Erin and the gray-haired
man were gone. There was only a long line of cars and trucks
ahead of him on a road that led nowhere and everywhere at
exactly the same time.
37
A dozen cars were parked in front of the store as Katie trailed the
kids up the stairs to the house. Josh and Kristen had whined most
of the ride home about how tired their legs were, but Alex ignored
it, reminding them periodically that they were getting closer.
When that didn’t work, he simply commented that he was getting
tired, too, and didn’t want to hear any more about it.
The complaining ended when they got to the store. Alex let them
grab Popsicles and Gatorade before they went upstairs, and the
burst of cool air as they opened the door was ridiculously
refreshing. Alex led Katie to the kitchen and she watched as he
drenched his face and neck at the kitchen sink. In the living room,
the kids were already sprawled on the couch, the television on.