by L. U. Ann
Moments later, “Hey Dev,” I call out the window. When his head peeks around the hood I ask, “Should we be calling the car rental place?” He shakes his head no. I sit back and bite my lip while waiting for the lady. “Hey, Dev,” I call out the window again. He peeks around, this time with a hard stare. “Did you get the added insurance for this thing?” He mouths no. Oh, well crap. It would totally be worth the extra fifteen dollars a day right now. I sigh and rest my head back. Evan playfully kicks his legs and my stomach floats. “Evan, stop kicking please. You’re making mommy sick.” He continues to kick his feet but giggles, too.
“Hello, Ma’am?” insurance lady, I mean Stephanie says.
“Yes,” I reply fanning myself as sweat begins to drip from my hairline.
“I found someone in West Virginia who is willing to cross state lines and tow your vehicle back to a repair shop. How many people do you have in the car with you now?” I reply with four. “Okay, the gentleman said his wife can follow in her car so that you all have a ride.”
Oh. “That sounds good.”
“It should take them about forty-five minutes to reach your location. Are you safe?” I tell her exactly how safe we are and that we might not make it out alive if they don’t hurry. What on earth was she going to do if I said no? I shake my head. We hang up and I contemplate walking the how ever many so miles back to the rest stop.
“Hey Dev,” I call out. “How far back was the Maryland Welcome Center?” They do have to have air conditioning, right? Crap, I’m not walking ten miles on this busy interstate with a toddler and infant. I step out and do the only thing I know. I fan my baby girl and pray they make it here before those dark clouds unleash their furry.
Ten minutes pass. Then fifteen. I keep glancing at my watch. That means in thirty minutes they will be here, maybe. There is no way Baby Lane is going to tolerate sitting in her seat much longer. Poor thing is sweating up a storm. Behind me is a large brush covered hill that stretches far in either direction. Crap! I continue to fan her. At least if a car hits us, she’s still buckled as well as Evan, who is tolerating the heat very well while playing on the tablet.
Looking at my watch, it’s been fifty minutes. I begin to whine to Devon when a car slows behind us. Oh, sweet Jesus, thank you! The clouds appear as if they haven’t moved in the last hour. They just continue to build and turn darker. Devon works with the wrecker on details while I chat up with the lovely lady saving the day.
“Thank you so much for helping us.” I gush at the older lady who introduced herself, but for the life of me, I can’t remember her name. Do I ask her again? How rude would that be?
“No worries, my dear. When we heard, our heart stopped fearful you may be stranded. I don’t think there are many businesses out here open on a Sunday evening. Our town shuts down once a week.” Oh! My face pales while a potential Twilight Zone episode runs through my head.
Devon joins us in the ladies car. “Okay, honey, her husband,” he nods to the nice lady, “is going to tow the van to the service station and worry about jumping the battery once we get there to roll up the windows. It will be a lot safer.”
The pleasant woman begins. “Our little town has a pizza shop in case you all get hungry and lucky for you a motel is just across the street.”
Devon replies, “That’s wonderful, isn’t it, Lacey? Thank you for coming out of your way for us.”
“Well, the service station is closed since it is Sunday evening after all, but they’ll be able to help you out in the morning. They’re good people. I think my sister’s daughter is married to one of their boys.” She finishes. Hmm...
Thirty miles or so in the wrong direction, we reach Bruceton Mills—population eighty-five. Eighty-five people? OMGawd, get me home!
Before I can continue to freak out, the sky opens. The van windows are down! Exiting the interstate, I begin to think that maybe we shouldn’t have gone on this trip. Now, we may have to buy the piece of shit from all the damage.
This is definitely a small town. I’m not sure if I saw a gas station or not. Oh, wait, it’s in front of the service station that’s somehow related to the nice lady. What if someone needed gas now and it’s closed? Shaking my thoughts, I reach for Baby Lane and pull her and the monitor out of the ladies car. She points across the street. “There’s the motel if you would like to see about a room.” Looking at the dilapidated one story building, I wonder how many roaches take up residence in the walls. I shudder.
“Thank you,” I respond and leave Devon to work on getting the windows rolled up. I use the top of the carrier to shield Baby Lane from the rain and grab Evan’s hand while we step in a huge puddle trying to reach shelter. Walking up to the building, a small flimsy sign reads vacancy. I try to turn the knob on the office door and it’s locked. My eyes search for a cause as to why we can’t get in. The sign read: Closed Sundays. Oh, no! Or maybe… it’s oh, yes! We can always sleep in the van, right? At least we won’t have roaches crawling over us at night. I shiver at the awful thought.
Baby Lane’s monitor needs to be plugged in. Fuck! We can’t sleep in the van without electricity. My heart rate begins to quicken. What are we going to do? I grab Evan’s hand and run back to Devon. He opens the van door for Evan and Baby Lane. Thank heavens the automatic doors work by force, too. I explain to Devon while he runs a hand through his hair in frustration.
“I can have her lie on my chest and try to stay awake, if needed. Please don’t worry. I know you can’t help any of this.” I try to calm him down. Actually, if we brought his Expedition… Ugh! I can’t make him feel worse than he already does.
The nice lady who drove us here walks out of the pizza shop looking at me quizzically.
“The motel is closed on Sundays.” I shrug my shoulders waiting to hear what Devon suggests. But before I look at him, she begins to speak.
“Nonsense, there’s a motel up the road. Go pick up some things in the pizza shop and I’ll drive you to it.” Oh, wow! I think we have had an angel sent to help us. She continues to rattle, “It’s part of a large chain, so I’ll call while you go into the shop to make sure they have a room for you.” We are definitely sending her a thank you gift for all of her generosity. This nightmare from hell might actually end better than I thought!
I contemplate whether I want to get anything at all, but after everything that’s happened, it’s probably best. Who knows what kind of situation we will be in next.
You should never try to predict, especially sarcastically, the future. My snide comment may have jinxed us. The lady pulls up to the Intel Inn & Suites entrance and lets us out. Suites? I repeat the word to myself. “I’ll be back to pick you up in the morning, okay?” The lady says kindly before driving off and leaving us stranded with the only attraction being the Federal Penitentiary across the street. OH MY GOD! Devon gives me a quick glance as his eyes dart for me to take the children inside. Greedily, I agree. Anyone would after finding out you are at the only hotel around for miles, and the kind of people who stay here are visiting inmates at the Federal Penitentiary. Pulling Evan close, I hold onto Baby Lane and wrap her alarm across my chest. Quickly grabbing my purse and Evans hand, we cross the threshold into some sense of safety. I don’t know why because the individuals I see are not looking friendly at all. Devon approaches the front desk and I immediately encourage Evan to walk with me. Standing as close as I can to Devon for security, I try not to look anyone in the eye for fear I’ll be… something I don’t want to be. I’m sure we look suspicious ourselves. I just want to get into a room, lock it, and push a dresser up to the door.
“Here is the key to room 211. Turn left and the elevator will take you to the second floor. When you step off your room will be down the hall to your right.” The front desk lady appeases us. Devon reaches for Evan’s hand, and we begin our journey to safety behind a locked door.
Following the route the front desk lady gave us Devon thankfully opens the door without us running into any of the sketchy visitors.
The gentleman in Devon opens the door and allows me to enter with Evan and Baby Lane. All too quickly, it begins to sink in. The bed isn’t made. Housekeeping must not have cleaned the room. My eyes catch the light on in the bathroom. Is someone in there? What if it’s one of those burly men from downstairs? They shoot then ask questions. Stepping back, I run into Devon, while he gripes, I continue to push back with Evan and Baby Lane. My palms sweat in nervousness as the swell in my throat grows. How we all didn’t fall as we came out of the room is beyond me. We run to the elevator and I repeatedly push the button for it to hurry up.
“What if someone was in there and heard us?” I ask Devon. With my other hand, I pat Baby Lane’s back as she begins to fuss. Crap! “Hurry up!” I silently yell at the elevator glancing back to the room. “Should we take the stairs?” I ask.
“No way, Lacey! If someone comes out, we’ll simply explain the mistake the front desk made and—” the elevator doors open. I push Evan inside and begin hitting the close doors button feverishly.
“Come on, come on, come on…” Oh, shit! A foot stops the doors from closing. With big eyes, I step back awaiting fate. It’s a big guy. Like really fucking big!
“Pardon me. I hope you don’t mind that I stopped the elevator to join you.” He says and I shake my head no in reply. I’m not stupid enough to argue with this guy. Silent mantra begins: get us to the front desk safe, get us to the front desk safe… The door chimes nearly sending Devon out of his skin. I stifle a laugh as the big guy waves for us to go ahead of him. Yes, sir, whatever you say. Just don’t kill us.
My heart pounds and I try to steady my breathing as we approach the front desk. “It’s okay, Lacey. It clearly wasn’t him. Whoever might have been in that room didn’t see us. We will get this squared away and be safe.” I nod unable to form a word in my shock.
“Miss.” Devon is not too kind in addressing the front desk woman. I’m ready to rip off her head if I can get my nerves to settle. “The room you put us in is either occupied or housekeeping didn’t clean. There are items everywhere, the bed is unkempt, and the bathroom light is on. I had no idea if someone was inside the room or not. As you can see, I have my wife and two children traveling with me, and I feel it is inexcusable to either intrude on another one of your guests or give an unkempt room.” I watch Devon eloquently speak to the lady who has now offered our entire stay free of charge. Internally, I clap for the free room and then want to still slap the bitch.
Approaching the door, Devon instructs, “Lacey, I want you to stand right here with Evan while I go through the room.” Fine, keep me out here with… I shiver… lots of big guys. Devon scopes out the room first and sure enough, it’s clear, the beds made, and the room appears clean. As clean as motels can get. I’m not going to think about the germs. I push Evan inside and turn to lock the door. Ahhh. My back hits the door and I breathe a sigh of relief. We are safe!
Pulling the bedspread that is cleaned maybe once a year off, Devon lays Baby Lane’s blanket on the bed for me to put her on. Tonight is going to be interesting. We get to work pulling out chargers and plugging our phones. I need to call Grandma Pain. She’s probably worried sick we haven’t called and should be home by now. My phone turns on after a minute but doesn’t have a signal.
“Devon, do you have a signal?” He returns to his phone and checks. Shaking his head, he switches plugs hoping he can find a signal there. Nothing. He tries again moving about in the stale room with blue carpet and tan walls. I sit next to Baby Lane and play. Evan sits at the little table still playing on Devon’s iPad. It’s funny how he didn’t want anything to do with that thing until today. All he’s ever wanted to play with are his trains and cars and the occasional book.
“I can’t get a signal anywhere,” he confirms exhausted. God, please get us home.
“Oh, wait. We can use the hotel phone.” I begrudgingly pick up the possible cootie infested phone and dial our calling card number. Wasn’t there a Dirty Jobs or some show exposing how filthy these things are? NO! I push the receiver. There is no dial tone. Oh, my God! “Devon, the phone doesn’t work! We’re locked in the room with no cell service and the phone doesn’t work!” I panic.
“Hold on, honey, let me see if it’s not plugged in or something.” He checks out the cords and sure enough, everything is connected correctly. We must be part of some horror film.
“Devon, I’m scared.”
“I’m going to go down to the front desk and tell them the situation. When this door closes, I want you to lock it behind me. I’ll knock when I come back.” He kisses my cheek and gives Evan a high five passing him. I pick Baby Lane up and follow him to the door.
“Wait!” I shout before he opens it. “Are you sure you should go out there?”
“Just lock it!” he says sternly before opening and closing the door. I do as he says and glue my eye to the small peephole watching Devon get on the elevator. My heart pounds as I wait and pray he makes it back safely. I hear commotion coming from the opposite direction, and I look to see what’s going on. A big guy is in the hallway and talking up a storm with someone on the other line. That’s harmless… right? It wouldn’t be so bad if these people weren’t here for one reason and one reason only. What gets a person in a Federal Penitentiary? How bad is the crime? I continue to watch the guy, turning back to the elevator waiting for Devon. How can he have a signal? I reposition Baby Lane so that it’s easier to peer and keep her comfortable. The elevator dings indicating the doors will open. I switch eyes and turn to peer toward the elevator. It’s Devon and the front desk woman. I quickly unlock the door and allow them inside and close it just as fast. I hate to stereotype, but I’m nervous as hell.
The lady confirms the line is dead and offers to change rooms for us again. If only we could have a phone, we could contact Devon’s dad and make arrangements. I hang my head and hold onto my little girl waiting for the room situation to be settled. Evan is now engrossed in Tom and Jerry cartoon and ready for bed. It’s now past nine and we are all tired. It doesn’t take long before we are beginning the entire process over. The hotel phone is dead in this room as well, but we have a signal on each of our phones. What the hell? We just moved next door. At this point, we just want to get the children ready for bed. Baby Lane needs a bottle and some love from her daddy while I shower.
Stepping out of the shower, I hear the faint sound of someone singing. It must be the television. Once I’m dried off, dressed, and teeth brushed, I open the bathroom door to find it’s Devon singing. As quiet as I can, I pull the door wider so I can slip through and watch in wonderment as Devon is standing with his princess in his arms singing ‘Baby, I Love Your Way’ by Peter Frampton. Tears sting my eyes as I continue to watch as the two gaze into one another’s eyes. My heart is so full of love it threatens to spill. Devon must sense my eyes. He looks up and smiles. I wipe the tear spilling and watch his determined stride walk to me.
“I love you,” he kisses my nose, looks down at Baby Lane, “I love you, too.” He smiles, turns around to Evan whose arms are spread out, mouth open and his body is twisted. Devon and I laugh when our eyes meet again.
“I love you, too,” I tell him and kiss the top of Baby Lane’s head.
Just before I doze off, I whisper, “Condoms prevent minivans.” Devon laughs and I try my best to keep quiet after Baby Lane has finally fallen asleep.
Yelling wakes me from a restless sleep. I open my eyes and find Devon lifting his head looking around. He turns on the side table lamp and walks toward the door. “What are you doing?” I ask in horror that he might open the door.
“Just looking.” He puts his finger up to his lips to shush me. I watch him walk up to the door where I stood hours earlier.
“What is it?”
“It’s a guy on his cell phone,” he answers. Shaking my head in irritation for this guy’s rudeness, I turn toward the clock. One freaking thirty in the morning and someone is raising hell outside our doorway. Does he have no manners?
Shouts become louder, and I jump out of bed. “Should we put something in front of the door?” I ask scared out of my mind. I mean, this guy is chewing someone out on his cell phone. Like, really bad! I watch him and jump back when the guy on the other side roars into the line. I’m thankful no one speaks to me in that manner. Devon continues to watch. “Should we call the front desk?” His head whips around as if there were two of me. Okay, bad idea.
We go back and forth for almost two hours. Two freaking hours. I’m tired, scared… tired and scared. I wish I could click my heels and be home.
“Seriously?” I ask, wondering what the hell we were thinking. The early morning phone call in addition to little sleep has me throwing up my hands. “We have to sit here all day with the kids!” I throw my head back and look at the ceiling.
“Sorry, babe. I was distracted with the rain and didn’t realize I still had the keys. The lady said she’ll be here in an hour and take us to the service station.” I can’t believe we didn’t leave the keys. They aren’t going to order the part until they get inside and make sure it’s the alternator. If we were somewhere closer to civilization, it might not be so bad, but we’re in BFE! “Come on, Sugar Pants, we spent almost an entire day at the Biltmore. We can do this.”
“Devon, this is not the Biltmore. There aren’t any carriage rides or Land Rover excursions to pass time. Did you see the population sign? No, you didn’t. Eighty-five people. We are in the middle of fucking no where!” I shout before turning to go back to brushing my teeth.
“Fuck!” Evan cries. Oh shit, my eyes grow at the reflection in the mirror.
“No, Evan. Mommy said truck.” Devon tries to run interference. HA! I laugh at the crazy thought that I would rather stay here in the Motel than in some small ass town.
I give into my fate and hurry up for a long day of waiting. Is this the time I should throw in that we’re in a two-star hotel? No, I can’t be that mean to him. Poor Devon. Fucking damn minivan!