Chapter 13
DINA FACETIMES HER while she’s on the road.
“I can’t FaceTime, I’m driving.”
“God, you’re beautiful, the way the sunlight is hitting you as you drive. Can’t you just prop it up somewhere?”
Murphy is sitting in the passenger seat and looks at her with an “I ain’t budging” look.
“Mmm, lemme try this.” She pops Dina into the old-fashioned ashtray. “If I hit a bump, this isn’t real stable, just call back.”
“I’ve got news for you and I wanted to see your face when I told you.”
“K, hit me!”
“I dropped Xander.”
Tessa is speechless.
Dina claps her hands and laughs. “You should so see your face. Baby. You can pick up your lower jaw, don’t let it hit the steering wheel.”
“I just can’t believe you’re not sleeping with him anymore.”
“You’re way more loyal than he’s ever going to be. Besides. You’re a hard worker.”
“That’s why you’re dating me? Because I’m a hard worker?”
“No. I’m dating you because you’re so damn fine in bed.”
“Dina!”
“I’m dropping Xander and focusing on you because you’re a hard worker.”
Tessa smiles.
“Besides, who else would take a crazy ass trip by themselves across the country? You’ve got guts. I love that about you.”
“Thanks, it’s fun really, except for Chicken-butt Chuck. Dina, all the people on the road are really cool. Who knew? It’s way easier than I thought. The only bad thing is I’d like to be sharing all these sights with you.”
“Well, we’re just going to have to take our own camping trip next year.”
“Really? You promise? What about school?”
“By then I’ll know if I’m accepted here for my Masters, then I have a little time.”
“Awesome. Baby? I really have to concentrate on traffic, I’m driving around San Antonio, but can we talk tonight?”
“Count on it. I love you, Tessa Marie!”
“I love you, Dina Kay!”
“Bye . . . Kisses!”
Tessa makes a kissy face at the phone before it goes dark.
And sighs a deep happy sigh.
“How ’bout that Murph? I got a sweet, sexy woman!”
Murphy yawns and looks out the window.
WHEN TESSA FOLLOWS the GPS directions of her next ash drop, she rechecks her co-ordinates and itinerary. The hot tub spa place in Truth or Consequences looks like a decrepit old motel. There’s some driftwood out front of a dirt circular drive and a couch, dragged from somewhere. It looks vaguely familiar, but not.
The building has seen better days. The peeling turquoise-and-pink paint, and cigarette butts around the edges of the site.
She walks into the small office and a girl with purple streaks in her blonde hair and double rings in her nose looks up. She’s been toying with her hair, she doesn’t stop as she asks, “Hot Springs? Half hour or an hour?”
Tessa must look lost so the girl points to a chalkboard over her head.
“Welcome to T or C hot springs. Soothing natural hot springs. ½ hour private room soak $4, 1 hr. /$8.” All the letters are in different chalk colors and the one slash two in half hour are blue, orange, and red.
“Uhm, half.”
“Four dollars. Gotta towel? Cause that’s more.”
“I have a towel.”
The girl looks out and see’s Tessa’s rig. Murphy is poking his head out the window.
“No dogs, k? There’s shade out back, I think you can park your whole thing there. Make sure he has water, k? I don’t like folks who abuse animals.”
Tessa nods.
The girl gives her an old-fashioned motel key, reading, ”Coynes Resort” on a leather tag, with a ring hole for the key, Room 4.
“It’s down and to the left.” The girl points to her right.
Tessa is a little creeped out but she does find a shady spot for the rig and Murphy. She leaves the windows open and a nice breeze blowing through.
Murphy doesn’t whine and it’s only going to be a half hour.
She opens the door to the room and it’s surprisingly clean and efficient with a newer wicker chair, a shower, and new bamboo mats with Asian accents. Drinking water with ice just placed there and a lemon slice floating on top. She brought her bathing suit, but once she opens the door to the hot springs she realizes it’s unneeded. A huge rope with a knot hangs from the ceiling to an easy reach just above the water. She walks down the two large cement steps into the pool and hangs onto the rope. It’s deep enough to submerge her whole body, but if she gets too hot she can pull herself up by the thick rope and sit on one of the cement steps. The rope reminds her of something off a pirate’s ship.
The thermal bath is nothing short of delicious. Whatever natural minerals are in the water soothe every road weary ache in her body. Who knew this was waiting behind the façade outside?
Tessa is jolted from her total relaxation by a knock on the door.
“Five minutes, k?” the girl says.
Tessa hasn’t done the ashes. She reaches up to the top step and brings them down. She’s gotten lost in the thermals, even the traffic outside on the front road, and children playing far off somewhere, the in and out of the hot springs mesmerizes her and she gently releases the ashes to the out portal and watches them drift into the sunlight outside.
Sighing, grateful for the relaxing waters, she climbs out and wraps the towel around her.
This is getting a five star in her memory book.
SHE LETS MURPHY out to run around and sees she has a call from Forsythe.
“Chuck reappear?” he says without a hello.
“No.”
“Good. I think he’s a man of reason.”
Tessa is doubtful. “He kind of threatened my whole family and Murphy.”
“I believe his . . . excitement . . . is toned down.”
“I don’t know how you do it, Mr. Forsythe, from Michigan. I do appreciate everything. Thank you.”
“You’re more than welcome, Tessa. From here on out I really believe you should have no more trouble, but if you do, do not hesitate to call. Even though it might seem like I’m not responding, rest assured I am. You are performing a vital service. Never doubt that. Did you read any of the additional info on the trailer under the cargo seat?”
Tessa’s heart races as she instantly remembers Great Aunt Sadie’s journal entry. “Yes.”
“Good. You received all the information you need for your Canadian crossing?”
“Yes, everything. All of Murphy’s vaccines. And I have a copy of everything, like my passport.”
“Excellent. Will anyone be joining you?”
“Maybe. I thought my college friend, Dina. Just for a little while.”
“I understand the Canadian Rockies are visually stunning. It will be nice to share those with someone.”
Tessa smiles. “Thanks, Mr. Forsythe. Thanks for not being angry about that.”
“Angry? This is a long trip. You should have someone join you. Take care, Tessa. Let me know if you need anything.”
“I will.”
“Just one more thing. Does anyone else, besides your mother, know your travel plans?”
Dina.
“Not really, Mr. Forsythe, I just keep ’em guessing.”
“Excellent. Keep up the good work.”
Wow. He was surprising her more and more each time she spoke with him.
AFTER THE HOT springs, Tessa really just wants to relax. The girl with the purple hair tells her about Elephant Butte. Although the water in the reservoir is way down because of the drought, kayaking with Murphy is wonderful and easy.
It’s Mommy Call night.
Her mom doesn’t answer. Not even on the second and third try. That’s unusual.
Tessa’s reservoir kayaking ran a little late, but her mom usually stays awake til
l eleven Michigan time.
Tessa frowns. She messages, Are you at the movies tonight?
Nothing.
Tessa begins dinner and checks the phone every so often.
Tonight she’s grilling veggies and a small piece of pork loin she’s marinated.
“Smells good,” a woman calls out from the fifth wheel a few sites over.
Her fifth wheel is even bigger than Chris and Cindy’s. And she must have a washing machine because her clothes are hanging on a self-made clothesline. All the clothes look theatrical. No truck is on site, just the fifth wheel. The woman strolls over.
She has on cut-off shorts, beautiful sandals, a light sweatshirt that’s been strategically ripped at the arms and neck and hanging loosely on her. She has pretty blonde hair and beautiful brown eyes.
She sticks her hand out. “Cheryl.”
Murphy comes right up to her, wagging his tail.
“Tessa and Murphy.”
“What a beautiful name, Tessa.” Cheryl smiles up at her. She bends down and pets Murphy. “And what a cutie patootie you are, you handsome boy.”
Murphy runs and finds his cloth rabbit. He flips it up in the air and catches it and looks expectantly at her.
She laughs and claps. “Show off.”
Murphy wags his tail.
She turns to Tessa. “Wanna come over later for a campfire? My boyfriend should be back in an hour or so.”
“Sure.” Tessa notices Cheryl has a tongue ring. Dolly would be having a fit. Cheryl also wears a gold ring on her thumb and a gold bracelet. She has a beautiful diamond on an ankle bracelet. It twinkles colors in the sun.
“You must have a washer in your rig?”
“A washer and a dryer. I’m a featured performer on tour so it’s imperative my stuff is cleaned every night.”
“Wow. Is that a good living?”
“Oh, yeah, pay cash for everything and I plan to retire by the time I’m forty.” She leans over and whispers, “Which is in five years, but don’t tell anyone.”
Tessa grins.
“Is it just you and your dog?”
“Yes, but I have a friend joining me in a couple of weeks.”
“It must get lonely.”
“Not too much.” Tessa thinks of Mark and Dolly and wonders if Mark will fly out to see her. He said he might.
“Well, I admire you. Good for you. See you in about an hour. When the red truck pulls in, give us a few minutes to get the campfire going.”
BEFORE GOING OVER to Cheryl’s, Tessa tries her mom one more time, even though it’s after midnight, Michigan time. Tessa begins wondering who she can call to check on her mom.
She realizes she’s feeling concern and protective, all the things she huffs and becomes impatient with when her mom expresses those same things for her or Eli. These sensations don’t sit very well, and she begins to understand some of her mom’s reactions. Reluctantly, she pockets the phone and heads over to the little fire she sees between the rig and the big red four-door Ford.
Dean, the boyfriend, is about twenty-five years old. He has that puppy energy that all young guys have when they’re in love. He waits on both of them, refusing to let either of them get out of their chairs for a drink or a snack. He hangs on every word Cheryl says, and has a difficult time looking anywhere but in her direction.
When he fetches more wood and is out of hearing distance, Cheryl sighs. “He’s a sweet boy and all, but it’s not long term. He’s already proposed three times. I’m not the marrying kind. At least not yet and not with him. Although he’s fun. And obedient. Love that. Have him trained right out of the gate.”
“I think he adores you.”
“Mmm and I think he’s precious.”
Dean reappears only to hear that last part and his grin widens. He sits at Cheryl’s feet and she rubs his head affectionately.
“I’m your number one man,” he murmurs, his eyes closed, as she massages his head.
“So tell us about Tessa.” Cheryl looks at her.
“Oh, there’s not much to tell, just a girl and her dog traveling around the US and Canada, spreading Great Aunt Sadie’s ashes.”
“No shit?”
“No shit. Nobody else in the family wanted to do it, and the inheritance doesn’t get divided until all the appointed stops are accomplished.”
“Holy crap. How long is that going to take?”
“Actually I’m two thirds of the way through, this part. I still have to go east when I return to Michigan.” Thanks a lot, Uncle Chuck.
“Where do you go from here?”
“Some place called Gila Cliff Dwellings, the Gila river.”
“Oh yes. That’s by Silver City.”
“She knows her geology,” Dean says, his eyes still closed. Cheryl smiles.
“Geography.”
“Yeah, that.”
“See what I mean?” Cheryl mouths as Dean’s head rolls all around under her expert massaging hands. Wanna swap?” She nods over at Murphy.
Tessa looks down, trying hard not to laugh, shaking her head no.
“Ask her what she does,” Dean says to Tessa. Suddenly he’s awake and his eyes are open and he’s very animated.
“Dean. We’re not supposed to mention that.”
Dean leaps up and hands Tessa a lighter. “Go ahead. Read it.”
The lighter has a photo of a much more made up version of Cheryl on it, thick black eyelashes, model’s make up and poofy hair, and a huge bust.
“Voluptuous Vanna eighty-eight inches of Double D’s!”
Cheryl shakes her head.
“He’s so not supposed to do that.”
“Wow. So they pay you to . . .”
“Dance. I charge them airplane flights and drive. Make bank. Tell you I’m socking it away.”
“She’s my sugar mama,” Dean says proudly.
“Yes, well, Sugar Mama doesn’t like it when you do that.”
Dean frowns. “I’m just proud of you.”
“Ya wanna see ’em?” Cheryl asks, and before Tessa can release a sound, Cheryl lifts up her loose-fitting sweatshirt, and there in God’s glory are eighty-eight inches of Double D’s staring at her.
Tessa automatically closes her eyes.
Dean is laughing so hard he’s rolling on his side.
“Uhm, not that they’re not great. They’re . . .”
“Huge!” Dean laughs.
“Did you smoke some pot when you got the wood?” Cheryl asks him.
“Maybe a little.”
“Goof. They are huge. And as soon as I’m done with this kind of thing, they’re getting downsized big time.”
“That’s gotta hurt your back.”
“It does and I’m tired of not being able to sleep on my stomach. It’s the little things you miss the most. Yours are perfect, by the way.” Cheryl smiles.
“I couldn’t do what you do.”
“I saw you painting at your camp site. Now that’s something I’d love to be able to do. Would you show me some of your work tomorrow? We have to shove off for Texas, but we’re not leaving till noon.”
Dean has fallen asleep on top of Cheryl’s feet. Murphy rests against Tessa’s leg; the picture is not lost on either of them.
“Sure,” Tessa agrees, sharing a smile with Cheryl.
THE NEXT MORNING, she receives a text from her mom.
Sorry about last night. We will try for tonight.
The tone of the whole message is off. The wording is unlike her mother and Tessa begins worrying that Uncle Chuck might be switching gears. Since Forsythe somehow got him to back off, maybe Uncle Chuck is harassing her mother. He might even go after Dina. Josh, she is sure, can pretty much kick Uncle Chuck’s butt.
She’s debating whether to call Dina, or maybe even Paul, when Cheryl walks over.
“Hey, kiddo, we’re just about ready to blow this pop stand. I’ve got Dean ironing my clothes and hanging them up.”
“I dunno, Cheryl. Seems like you have the whole packa
ge with Dean. Be hard to give that up.”
“Yes, the houseboy aspect is sort of appealing, but it’s difficult maintaining a stimulating conversation. The only thing geology and geography have in common are the G and the Y, throw a U in there and you’ve got My Guy.”
“There’s the whole geo thing.”
They smile.
“Let’s see your art.”
Tessa’s not as timid to show her paintings as she is to share details about herself. Somehow Cheryl sees Tessa through the pictures.
“Oh, wow. This one of the guy and his plane just jumps out. His eyes and smile really pop. You captured his soul.”
“That’s my Uncle Mark.”
“Has he seen this yet?”
“No. I took a picture of him and then painted this in Texas.”
“It’s beautiful. Did you do the horse on the side of your truck also?”
Tessa nods.
“You have talent, sweetie. The big rig guys would pay you good money to paint emblems and decals on their trucks. You could do motorcycle tanks. The sides of airplanes. Would you . . . would you take a picture of me?”
Cheryl looks at her so intently, Tessa agrees.
They set up in an empty campsite, Cheryl sitting on top of a picnic table with Elephant Butte behind her. Tessa carefully focuses on what Cheryl wants most: Her eyes.
They exchange numbers and just like that, Tessa has made another road friend.
Chapter 14
TESSA MAKES CAMP at City of Rocks State Park, following Cheryl’s advice. It’s about seventy miles to the south of the Cliff Dwellings so Tessa plans on making a day of heading up the twisty road to Gila. Cheryl also warned her dogs aren’t allowed, so Tessa grabs the service pack. It would be a long, hot day for Murphy to stay at camp.
The City of Rocks campsites are primitive, but beautiful.
The day before, when she had pulled in, she drove the entire circle, trying to find a flat site on the west side, so she could watch the sunset. No one was around, or so it seemed. She found one north of the windmill used to supply energy to the well providing fresh water for campers.
Just as she levels the trailer, she hears voices and laughter above her.
The Urn Carrier Page 10