Boomer's Bucket List

by Sue Pethick

  “Not everything’s worth remembering,” she grumbled. “If I’d ruined my paint job on one of those, I’d get rid of them.”

  “Yes, but you’re a practical person. Nostalgia isn’t practical.” He opened his door. “Come on. I’ll help you maneuver this behemoth in there.”

  When the truck had been safely docked, Nathan walked down to the refreshment stand and Jennifer started turning the truck bed into a makeshift movie theater. She laid Nathan’s duffel and two cushions she’d taken from the room against the back of the cab, then spread out a tarp, congratulating herself for buying an insulating liner for the bed. Finally, she set out the pillows and blankets, trying to find some way of arranging them so that the truck didn’t look like a bedroom on wheels.

  “Okay,” she told Boomer. “Remember our agreement. You’re going to lie down here, in the middle, and we’ll sit on either side of you.”

  She jumped down and patted the center of the truck bed encouragingly.

  “Come on. Jump up and lie down. It’s super comfy.”

  Boomer set his paws on the tailgate and inspected the makeshift boudoir. Jennifer glanced over her shoulder. Nathan was coming back.

  “Hurry up, Boomster, don’t mess around,” she said. “Get in there and lie down.”

  He jumped up and started circling the bed. Nathan was only four cars away.

  “Enough already,” she whispered. “Down. Down. Lie down.”

  At last, Boomer took the hint and stretched his body along the center of the truck bed, dividing it as neatly as the median line on a bell curve. The bed now had a “his” side and a “hers” side. Jennifer breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Good dog.”

  “Who’s a good dog?” Nathan set the drinks and popcorn down on the tailgate, admiring her handiwork. “Hey, this is great. Thanks.”

  She smiled. “Boomer helped. That’s why I told him he was a good dog.”

  Nathan vaulted into the truck bed and patted Boomer’s back, ruffling his fur playfully.

  “Are you a good dog, Boomie? Are you? Are you?”

  Boomer rolled onto his side, a none-too-subtle request for a tummy rub, and Jennifer frowned. Her perfect median was skewing dangerously toward the lower end of the curve.

  “Oh, um, don’t do that,” she said. “I just got him settled.”

  “He’s fine,” Nathan said. “There’s plenty of room back here.”

  As Boomer continued to roll, Jennifer started calculating how much room was left on the far side of the dividing line. It would be tight, but she didn’t need a lot of space. It was getting cold, too; she wouldn’t mind having a warm dog up close. She’d just have to stop him before he went all the way over. Putting her hands on the tailgate and pushing off, she boosted herself onto the pile of blankets and started crawling across the bed. There was still room, she thought, as long as Boomer didn’t go … any … farther …

  And then, like a tumbler on a mat, Boomer completed his barrel roll across the bed and finished with his body pressed firmly up against the wheel well. Jennifer ground her teeth.

  A horn sounded and the lights flashed.

  “What’s that?” she said.

  “The two-minute warning,” Nathan said, lifting the blanket. “Hurry and get in before the movie starts.”

  Reluctantly, Jennifer crawled in next to Boomer. Nathan handed her a can of soda, then set the popcorn on her lap and crawled in beside her. As he settled in, she could feel the heat from his hip and thigh radiating into hers. Seconds later, the lights went out and the credits began to roll.

  Jennifer leaned over and muttered in Boomer’s ear.

  “I hope you’re happy.”

  CHAPTER 15

  The mechanic wiped his hands on a rag as he emerged from his shop and greeted Nathan with the air of a doctor about to deliver an unfortunate diagnosis. Pale blue eyes stared out from the weather-beaten face, and the gray coveralls hung from a lean frame, but the man’s fists were as fearsome as a bare-knuckle boxer’s. He stuffed the tattered cloth into his back pocket and offered his hand. It was like gripping a vise.

  “So,” Nathan said. “What’s the verdict?”

  “Well, the good news is, it’s just oil that’s leaking. If it was power steering or transmission fluid, it’d be a whole lot worse.”

  “And the bad news?”

  “The bad news is, it’s coming from all over. Head gasket, cam seal, oil pan gasket are all leaking, some worse than others.” He shrugged. “Rubber wears at the same rate so things tend to go all at once.”

  Nathan nodded. He wasn’t surprised. This was pretty much what he’d expected.

  “Can you fix it?”

  The man scratched the back of his head thoughtfully.

  “I’ve got most of the parts here in the shop, but the engine’s not stock; I’d have to order the head gasket from Springfield. I’m pretty busy at the moment, but if I can get it by tonight, I’ll have the car ready for you on Saturday.”

  Two days.

  Nathan grimaced. “I’ll have to talk it over with my brother. The car’s his. Would you mind giving me an estimate so I can let him know what it’s going to cost?”

  The man walked into his office and took out a work order, filled it in, signed it, and handed it over.

  “When you talk to your brother, tell him that the work’s gotta be done soon. It’ll be a lot easier to replace a couple of gaskets now than an entire engine block later.”

  “Thanks,” Nathan said. “I’ll do that.”

  He stepped out into the parking lot and dialed Rudy’s work number.

  “Three grand for a couple of stinkin’ gaskets?” Rudy bellowed like a cow in heat. “Where’d you find this shyster?”

  Nathan glanced back over his shoulder, hoping the mechanic hadn’t heard.

  “He’s not a shyster. I got his name from Triple A. The guy’s a certified mechanic.”

  “No. Absolutely not. No goober from Hicksville is touching my car. I’ve got a guy out here who’ll do it right.”

  Nathan gritted his teeth. No one in the world could get under his skin quite like his big brother.

  “Great. Wonderful. You’ve got a guy. Unfortunately, what you don’t have is the car. So, what do you want me to do?”

  Rudy huffed irritably; Nathan could almost see him pawing the ground in frustration.

  “Okay, this is what I want you to do. You can still drive it, right? Get back on the road and hightail it out here. If you take the freeway like you should have in the first place, you can make it here in twenty-four hours.”

  “Sorry, no can do.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “There’s too much road with too little cell coverage between here and LA and the car is already running hot. I’m not going to risk getting stranded in the middle of nowhere just ’cause you don’t trust this guy.”

  “Hey, you asked me what I wanted to do and I told you.”

  “Yeah, but that was when I thought you were going to come up with something reasonable.”

  “Like what?”

  “Either I give this guy the go-ahead and finish the drive when he’s done, or I find somebody who’ll ship it the rest of the way for you.”

  A long moment of silence followed, during which Rudy was no doubt wishing he could reach out and strangle his kid brother. Nathan held his tongue. He’d been in enough negotiations to know that the first guy to speak was generally the loser.

  “Fine. Ship it, then,” Rudy said. “But if my car gets a single scratch, you’re paying for it. You can tell inbred Jed he’ll have to find another sucker to fleece.”

  “Okay. I’ll give you a call when things are arranged.”

  Nathan shook his head in disgust and put the phone away.

  *

  Jennifer and Boomer were waiting in their motel room when Nathan got back from the mechanic’s. The bags were packed and ready to be put in the truck, and Boomer had had a walk in the dog park down the street. After the successes o
f the last two days, she was looking forward to whatever Nathan had planned for them. It hadn’t occurred to her that the news about the Mustang would be so bad.

  “So, what are you supposed to do now?” Jennifer said.

  Nathan sat down on a chair and hung his head.

  “Do what Rudy said: Ship it. It’s not my car. What choice do I have?”

  “And then what?”

  He shrugged. “Catch a bus back home, I guess.”

  She swallowed, trying to tamp down the panic that was simmering just below her breastbone. If Nathan left, she’d be on her own again, flailing around, desperately trying to find something for her and Boomer to do. And she’d have no one to talk to, either; no one to calm her down when it looked like Boomer was flagging, no one to distract her when she started blaming herself for all the things she hadn’t done for him the past five years.

  Irrationally, she felt herself growing angry—at Nathan and his brother. If Nathan had just written down his suggestions for her like he said he would, she’d at least have some things to do. And if Rudy hadn’t insisted that Nathan ship the car right away, there’d still be time for him to make the list before he had to leave. But even then, Jennifer thought sadly, he’d still be gone and she’d still miss him.

  “Maybe you could rent a car,” she said. “That way, you could complete the drive and finish your travel articles like you promised your editor.”

  Nathan shook his head.

  “Julia would never agree to that. Having me write those articles was just her way of keeping me from turning this trip into a vacation. Without Rudy’s car to deliver, there’s no reason for the assignment. Besides, you don’t know Julia. She makes Mister Scrooge look like a spendthrift.”

  “Oh.”

  Jennifer stared at the floor and felt tears starting to well. Boomer was going to be really sad without Nathan around, she thought. He’d never had a man to play with before, someone who was up for more rough and tumble than she was. The two of them were like pals, head butting and pretend fighting with each other. With Nathan, Boomer had gotten to experience something he never knew existed. How could she let that be taken away from him?

  “Why don’t you come with us?” she said, her heart pounding.

  Nathan’s head came up. “What?”

  “You heard me. Find somebody to ship Rudy’s car and drive the rest of Route 66 with us. You can help me find places to take Boomer and I’ll take you to the places you need to write about.”

  “I don’t think so. Thanks anyway.”

  “Why not? It’s perfect.”

  He gave her a skeptical look. “You sure your admin won’t mind?”

  Jennifer had told him about Stacy’s warning regarding stranger danger on the road.

  “What Stacy doesn’t know won’t hurt her,” she said. “Besides, Boomer would never forgive me if we left here without you.”

  “Ah,” he said. “So it’s Boomer who wants me along.”

  Jennifer hesitated. She liked Nathan—more than she’d thought she would—but if they were going to be traveling together, she’d have to draw a line in the sand. Since her divorce, she’d worked hard to be independent. She wasn’t going to give that up—even for Boomer—for a man she’d never have given the time of day to back in the “real” world.

  “This isn’t a proposition,” she said. “We’d still be staying in separate rooms.”

  He nodded. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

  “You will?”

  “Yeah,” he said. “But let’s eat first. I’m starving.”

  *

  They found a coffee shop and parked outside the window so they could keep an eye on Boomer. While they waited for their meals to arrive, Nathan contacted a towing company about shipping Rudy’s car to LA and arranged to meet the driver at their motel after breakfast. Nothing more was said about joining Jennifer and Boomer on their trip, but by the time breakfast arrived, it was clear that he’d made up his mind to say yes. As the two of them ate, Boomer sat in the truck bed, trying to follow both the food and their conversation and looking like a spectator at a tennis match.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “But your brother sounds like kind of a jerk.”

  Nathan swallowed and shook his head.

  “That’s just Rudy. He’s probably embarrassed that the great deal he thought he was getting turned out to be a lemon.”

  Jennifer bit off a piece of toast and chewed belligerently. Maybe Rudy wasn’t a bad guy, but he was certainly an inconsiderate one. And the fact that he’d been willing to put Nathan’s safety in jeopardy for his own convenience was galling.

  The waitress came by, and Jennifer asked her for a to-go box.

  “Look at that face,” she said, pointing out the window. “How can I say no?”

  Nathan glanced over his shoulder and laughed. Boomer was doing an excellent impression of a starving animal.

  “So,” she said. “Where to next?”

  “I haven’t exactly figured that out yet,” he said.

  “What? I thought you were going to be our guide on this trip.”

  “Oh, right. Like I’ve had time? Between researching my next article and chaperoning you at the movies—”

  “Hey, that wasn’t my idea.”

  “All right, all right. Don’t get your knickers in a twist. I’ll think of something. Just let me get rid of the car first.”

  “Okay,” she said, tossing her head insouciantly. “You’re off the hook—for now.”

  They settled their bill and rewarded Boomer for his patience, then headed back to the motel to meet the tow truck. While Nathan talked to the driver, Jennifer got their luggage tied down in the truck and took Boomer out for a last-chance walk around the block. On the way back, she stopped by the front desk to check out and give their keys to the desk clerk.

  The woman looked up from her computer screen and smiled.

  “You guys checking out?”

  “Yes,” Jennifer said.

  She set the key on the counter and waited for the woman to print out her receipt.

  “Where you heading to?”

  “I’m not sure. Got any suggestions?”

  “Have you seen the Big Blue Whale yet?”

  “The big blue—?”

  “Whale, that’s right. Over the border in Catoosa, about two hours southwest of here. It’s quite a sight.”

  “Is it in an aquarium?”

  “No,” the woman said. “It’s not a real whale, but it’s still worth a visit. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places, too. I think you and your dog would like it.”

  Jennifer bit her lip thoughtfully. Boomer might or might not like it, but a historic landmark would at least give Nathan something to write about. He could even include some pictures of Boomer so people could see how much fun it was.

  “Thanks,” she said. “I think we will.”

  “Great.” The woman blushed. “Before you leave, though, could I ask you a favor?”

  *

  The Mustang was gone by the time Jennifer and Boomer returned. Nathan was waiting in the parking lot, leaning against the truck, his arms crossed over his T-shirt, blond hair tousled by the gentle breeze. When Jennifer saw him, her breath caught in her throat. How had she not noticed before what a good-looking guy he was?

  He looked over and smiled as they approached.

  “Well, it’s gone,” he said. “You’re stuck with me now.”

  She nodded, still feeling a bit breathless.

  “Great. Wonderful. Oh, and the desk clerk gave me a suggestion for a place we might go, if you’re interested.”

  “What is it?”

  “The Big Blue Whale. She said it’s about a hundred and twenty miles southwest of here and it’s on the Register of Historic Places, too. I thought maybe we could kill two birds with one stone. Boomer and I can check it out while you get the lowdown, and you’ll have something to write about when we get to the motel.”

  “Sounds good.”

>   Jennifer opened the truck and put Boomer in the backseat.

  “So, you’re all checked out?” Nathan said, getting into the passenger seat.

  “Yep.” She slammed Boomer’s door and opened her own. “The woman at the desk even took our picture.”

  “Really?” He glanced back at the motel. “I wonder why.”

  “Beats me.” Jennifer said. “Maybe she thought we were somebody famous.”

  CHAPTER 16

  It had been a crazy day at Compton/Sellwood. With Jennifer out of the office, people’s nerves were frayed. Clients who’d been used to twenty-four-hour access were incensed when their calls weren’t returned immediately, and account executives whose workloads had almost doubled overnight were frantic. Even the chairman, Mr. Sellwood, whose grace under fire was legendary, was snappish. The only one who’d had to keep a smile on her face was Stacy.

  She stepped out onto the sidewalk, turning her coat collar up against the wind, and thrust her hands deep into her pockets. In spite of the chill, she’d decided to forgo the subway and walk to Jennifer’s house. It wasn’t a long way, and it would be good to stretch her legs and get some fresh air. She needed a chance to clear her head before catching the train home.

  At least she hadn’t gotten any more trouble from Jason over Boomer’s Bucket List. After their run-in the day before, Stacy had fully expected him to complain to the boss, and she’d gone into work that morning ready for a fight. When nothing happened, she’d actually felt a little let down, but as the day wore on and the tension over Jennifer’s absence grew, she was relieved that the whole thing had blown over so quickly. If she’d had to defend her position over the pictures on top of everything else that had been going on, she might have given in.

  Jennifer’s town house was on a quiet tree-lined street in the River East section of Chicago. The three-story brick building had a private entrance in front and windows that overlooked a quiet courtyard. With the kind of money she made, Jennifer could have afforded something in one of the steel-and-glass high-rises that loomed over downtown. That she’d chosen instead to live in a more modest building made Stacy feel proud to know Jennifer and prouder still to have been entrusted with its care. As she headed up the walkway, she imagined how it would feel to live in a place like that.