The Road Home by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 50

Loading up the RV, the group prepared to set out, driving east on Route Two. They had not driven very far but given what they had experienced, exhaustion began to overtake them. At the wheel since the beginning, Maya expressed her need for sleep and asked Eli to take over, instructing him to stay on track as they headed east. Not accustomed to driving something the size of an RV, he was relieved to discover it was an automatic. However, turning would be an issue, at least until he realized that to do so would mean turning wide to avoid hitting anything near any given corner. With Maya sleeping in the back bedroom, Eli took the opportunity to strike up a conversation with Aurora.

“So,” he said. “Where do you think we should stop next?”

Maya left the map out before turning in and unfolding it, Aurora studied it closely. “I think we need to keep going,” she said. “If we’re going east, maybe we should stay on Route 2 and go through Sunnyslope. After that, we can cross the Columbia River.”

Glancing back at the map, Eli expressed his concern over the direction they were taking. “Are you sure this is the way Maya wanted to go?” he asked.

“Well,” Aurora replied. “This looks like the most obvious way to go.”

By this time, Eli had mastered the RV and was handling it as though he had been driving one all his life.

“Okay,” he said. “So, from there, we’re supposed to south, right?”

Aurora continued to study the map. “No,” Aurora replied. “That would take us into the Rockies. We’re going north.”

After a few moments of thought, Eli questioned the wisdom of the route she suggested. “Won’t that take us into Canada?” he asked. Tracing a finger along the highway, Aurora discovered the way east, believing that Maya would take the same route.

“Not necessarily,” she replied. “We’re going to have to go right on route 20.”

“Okay,” Eli said. “How long until get there?” Measuring the distance between Sunnyslope and the exit for Route 20 with her fingers, Aurora gave him the only answer she had. “I can only tell you that it’s going to be a long drive,” she answered.

Adjusting himself in the seat, Eli took a deep breath and prepared for a lengthy drive and, looking at the gas gauge, saw they had a full tank. “I guess there’s one good thing about the drive,” she said.

“Really,” Eli replied. “What’s that?” Pointing at the map again, Aurora informed him of what lay ahead.

“We’re going to be driving along the Columbia River, and I’ve heard it’s really beautiful,” she replied.

Eli rarely strayed outside of Tacoma and considering it was his hometown, he had many opportunities to explore the Northwest but chose, instead, to stay close to home. Now, forced out of his comfort zone and driving along the highway towards the Columbia River, Eli began to feel a sense of adventure and looked forward to witnessing the beauty of the American countryside.

Halfway to their next destination, Maya began stirring and, waking from her brief slumber, made her way to the front of the RV. Aurora, being concerned for the state of her health, asked how she was feeling.

“Oh,” Maya said. “I feel fantastic. Nothing like a power nap to get you charged up.” Looking out the windshield, Maya studied the landscape and then the map.

“Alright,” she said. “Where are we?” Without hesitation, Aurora explained where they were and how they got there.

“Awesome,” she continued. “I wonder if we can find a place to stop for the night – maybe even a couple of days. What do you think?”

“That is a great idea,” Eli said.

The wonder of the outdoors had sunk its teeth into him, and he was quickly developing an addiction for it.

“But where do we stop?” he continued. “So far, I haven’t seen any signs of campgrounds or anything.”

Taking the map, Maya studied everything east of the turnoff onto Route 2 East.

“Well,” she said. “We can stop in Spokane.” Eli had, over time, began to catch on to the need to stay away from people and saw Spokane as nothing but trouble. Big cities mean more people and if they had survived what amounted to a biological war then there were others as well. “Do you think it’s a good idea to go there?” he asked. “I mean, how many people do you think are still there?”

The girls looked at each other, each asking themselves the same question.

“I’m not sure I want to go there,” Aurora said. “I know what you mean,” Maya replied. “If we run into the wrong people, we’re going to be in shit-deep.”

Hearing the conversation, Eli suggested that they go around the north side of Spokane and look for someplace to stop -- the farther from the city the better.

Still studying the map, Maya put a fingertip on a dark green area.

“I got it,” she declared. “We can stop there.” Aurora moved close enough to read the name -- ‘Mount Spokane State Park’.

“Oh, fuck yeah,” she said. “We can disappear for days in there.”

Eli was left in the dark. As the driver, he felt it necessary to be informed as to where they were going.

“Uh, guys,” he said. “You want to let me in on this? I’m the one driving, remember?”

“Oh, right,” Maya said. “Sorry about that. We’re going to ‘Mount Spokane State Park’.” Eli was elated. After everything that had happened, it would be of great comfort to get some rest away from the world, away from people. They could vanish into the trees and mountains and take in the primal beauty of the wilderness. Everyone anticipated that the experience would be heaven on earth.