"...Oohhhh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sssleeeeiiighhh. HEY!!"

A burst of laughter filled the car as the singers mercifully ended the song--the off-key rendition had seemed to radiate off the frost-covered windows of the mini-van and grate on Gary's last remaining nerve.

Seated behind the driver--his jaw clenched tight, Gary Hobson grimaced at his father's attempt to carry a note. His father had many...interesting qualities but singing, was not one them.

It was a week before Christmas. With all of the holiday shopping completed, Christmas cards mailed and barrels of food collected for the food drive, the Hobsons were free. Bernie and Lois had been invited down to the country to spend a few days with Bernie's uncle Charlie. Gary had been invited too, but was hesitant, knowing that his duties with the paper would pose a problem.

Fortunately for all, the paper seemed to have taken a break this particular evening. All of his saves were done for the day. Knowing that Marissa and staff could handle things at the bar, and after much prompting from his parents Gary finally gave in to them. But there were conditions. The plan was for him to ride down with his parents, spend the night then drive back alone with the van early tomorrow morning. His parents were to stay for a few days then ride back with Uncle Charlie and his wife who were to spend the Christmas holiday with them in Hickory. His mom was excited about the trip, for this would be their first holiday outing as a family in years.

" Bernie, you just missed your turn off." Lois Hobson informed her husband as she glanced down to refer to the map she had spread across her lap.

"No-- I didn't Lo. Look...would you let me drive please."

"Well, according to the map here, it says we are to take the Rustleberry Road turnoff."

With a scowl, Bernard Hobson glanced over at his wife. "I don't need to refer to any stinkin map. It's my uncle's house and I *know* where he lives."

Oh Bernie," Lois sighed, glancing up at him from the map. "It's been years since our last vis..." she paused abruptly, noting the road and surrounding landscape ahead seemed somewhat different from what she last remembered."Uh...now this highway doesn't look familiar. It doesn't look familiar at all!"

Shifting restlessly in his seat Gary blew out a tired breath and glanced at his watch. They had been on the highway for more than an hour now with neither one of his parents agreeing on the exact destination of Uncle Charlie's house. He leaned forward in his seat to peer over his father's shoulder. The icy slick expressway ahead looked long and drawn out as the windshield wipers swished steadily back and forth, clearing away flakes of snow that fluttered down and clung to the glass. He was glad they had rented a vehicle instead of taking the Gray Ghost, the large silver trailer home that had been in the family for as long as he cared to remember.  His dad cherished that trailer home and usually drove it where ever he went. But Gary was able to convince him that it would be much safer to drive a newer vehicle. He had even put on chains for little extra protection.

"Dad...d-do.... you want me to drive?" Gary offered hesitantly, still slightly worried about his father's ability to drive in such weather conditions.

"No--I don't want you to drive!" Bernie snapped.

Gary caught his father's sour expression in the  rearview mirror and shrunk back slightly.

"What's the matter? You think your ol' man can't handle a simple mini-van?" his father questioned. "Just sit back and relax will ya! I've driven in worse weather long before you were even a twinkle in your mother's pretty blue eyes." With that, a mischievous grin spread across his father's face as he teasingly wiggled his eyebrows at his son the mirror.

With more information than was necessary, Gary grimaced in irritation, then turned to his mother and stuck out a hand. "Mom, would you let me see the map please."

Hesitating a moment, Lois sighed then passed the map back to him. "Careful now not to lose my place."

Gary took the map and studied it thoughtfully turning it this way and that before getting up enough nerve to offer his two cents for all it was worth. "Well, if I remember correctly," he said, scratching his head, "we take the Deerhill turn off which leads into Hollyberry Road."

Lois turned around to smile over her shoulder at him. " Now how would you know," she said, her tone, condescending yet, soft. "Honey-- you were only ten when we last visited Uncle Charlie."

Gary glanced up sheepishly from the map. "Really? It-It's been that long huh?"

Rolling her eyes, Lois snatched the map out of his hands and turned back around.

"Don't worry about it son," Bernie chuckled. "I'll have you and your mother roasting chestnuts over Uncle Charlie's fireplace in no time."

"Not at this pace." Lois murmured under her breath as she pretended to study the map

"Just relax will ya?" Bernie said. "Look, I know what I'm doin."

Up ahead, a large green overpass sign was fast approaching. Etched in large white illuminated letters were the words, "Deerhill Way Exit One mile."  But the huge sign came quickly, then whizzed by just as quick. Gary spun around in his seat, watching as the sign grew smaller in the distance.

"Oh boy." he murmured.

"Now what?" Bernie scowled.

Gary turned back around. "D-Dad. Are you paying attention to the signs?"

"Of course I'm paying attention to the signs! "

" But...you just passed Deerhill Way!"

" That's because I'm not *looking* for Deerhill Way. I'm looking for Green Garland Hills!"

"Green Gar---" Gary began, stopping abruptly to blow out a tired breath. He plopped back against his seat. This trip was not going as planned. He was to return tomorrow morning, but it seemed that at this rate they wouldn't even *get there* until tomorrow. He felt a headache coming on. Between his father's driving and the too many cans of cola he had consumed along the way, he also felt  a sudden need to use the restroom.

Approaching was another large sign announcing the next rest stop. Unable to hold it much longer, Gary leaned forward in his seat. "Pull off here."

"What the heck for!?"

"Dad, I-I gotta...go."

"Well...can't cha just...hold it a---"

"Bernie!" Lois glanced up quickly from the map to scowl at him.

"Great! Some boyscouts you two would make." Bernie grumbled.

" Well now, I think we all could use a break and stretch our legs a bit," Lois chided him softly, "Turn off, Bernie."

"All right, all right!" Bernie said, giving in. "The van could use another fill up anyways."

Easing his way through traffic, he took the next exit, getting off on the winding ramp and pulled into a small mom-and-pop gas station.

Gary got out of the van and quickly made his way around to the side of the station nearly bumping into a large man dressed as Santa coming out of the store. Startled briefly, Gary mumbled a quick "s'cuse me"  as he passed. For a second the man had looked  familiar to him. Scratching his head, he hurried on into the small restroom and closed the door behind him.

Bernie and Lois got out of the van to stretch their legs. Smiling, they greeted the gas station
attendant dressed like Santa. As Santa pumped their gas, he and Bernie made small talk while Lois went inside of the store to get a few supplies they would need for the rest of their journey.

Coming out of the restroom, Gary just barely caught the middle of an interesting conversation going on over at the gas pumps.

"Hey, nifty gimmick you got going here."

"Thanks."

" You wouldn't ah....be sellin' any gnocchi in there by chance would ya?"

"Nokie? Ahh...what the heck is that?

His father was something else. Smiling to himself, Gary shook his head and entered the small store.

Lois was already at the counter searching through her purse for money to pay for a can of sardines, a roll of paper towels and a box of Ritz crackers.

"Mom...we gotta get going." he mumbled hurriedly, tossing a tiny package of aspirin onto the counter. "Here, I got it," he said digging into his pocket for his wallet. He pulled out a twenty dollar bill raised his head to pay the cashier and immediately did  a double take.

The young woman behind the counter bore a striking resemblance to someone he thought he  knew. Slender and fair with soft gentle features and blonde hair that swept back into a comfortable bun. Wisps of silky strands hung down softly caressing her shoulders as she moved about. His heart pummeled when she smiled up at him with pretty blue eyes.

"That will be...ten dollars and forty-three cents."

A color rose to flush Gary's cheeks as he stood, staring slack-jawed at the young woman. She took the bill he held unconsciously out to her and made change.

Lois, noticed Gary's befuddled expression and leaned over towards him. "I've already told her,"  he
whispered. "Looks just like Renee doesn't she?"  Scooping the bag up from the counter into her
arms, Lois flashed the young woman an adoring smile. "Happy holidays," she said. With the bag in
her arms, she headed out the door.

His face--beet red, Gary slid a hand through his hair and stammered an apology. "S-Sorry for staring, it's just that, well you...you look like someone I knew, ah....know."

The young woman smiled and closed the cash drawer.  "You're not from around here are you?"

"No. Just ah, passing through with my parents--" Gary's voice trailed off softly as he glanced down
at the change she placed gently in his hand. "S-Sort of a, ah, holiday thing," he mumbled.

The young woman studied him briefly before shifting her gaze towards the holiday decorated glass
doors that led out to the gas pumps.

"Your mom seems nice," she smiled then motioned with her chin towards the man dressed in the  Santa costume.  "My father" A gentle flush rose to her cheeks. "He thought dressing up as Santa would be a great way to get customers." She rolled her eyes, "It's sssooo embarrassing."

Gary smiled, marveling at the pink coloring that tinted her ears and pretty face. After a long  awkward pause he soon realized that he was staring at her again and glanced off quickly. "Well ah," he cleared his throat. "I'd better get going." He motioned toward the doors. "I wouldn't want my dad to get any ideas from ah...your dad." His joke earned him another pretty smile.

"Have a nice Christmas," the young woman smiled.

"Yeah. Y-You too," he murmured, glancing around for his mother who was already half way across the gas station lot. Pushing his wallet into his back pocket he started out after her. "Mom--"

Outside, the frosty air stung his nose and cheeks. A light snow was just beginning to flutter down. Santa was finishing up the car windows as Lois and Bernie climbed into the van. Gary passed the Santa again and caught another glimpse of his bearded face and rosy cheeks. As Gary climbed into the van, Santa nodded at him then gave him a wink before he hurried back into the store.

Pulling the van door closed, Gary scratched his head trying to figure out what it was about the bearded gentleman that looked so familiar to him?

"Interesting fellow." Bernie commented as he started up the van.

"What was so interesting about him." Gary asked, buckling his seat belt.

"Well, we kind of thought he looked like that retired detective friend of yours, ah.... what was his name?"

That was it! Gary spun around to glance back at the gas station as it moved quickly out of sight. "Crumb!"

"Yeah. That's him!" Bernie muttered as he merged into traffic. " I think that Crumb fella had a *thing* for your mother!" he added under his breath.

"Now Bernie, don't start that again," Lois sighed.  "Gary, talk to your father."

Gary spun back around. "Dad. w-would you slow down please."

"I'm going 80 mph. In the state of Illinois the speed limit is 75."
 
"Bernie I think it's 65." Lois corrected, "It says so right here."

Up a head, a police car sat nestled on side of the snow caped road. As they passed, Gary watched
through the rearview mirror as the squad car pulled  into traffic making it's way quickly through the lanes easing up behind them. With red and blue lights  flashing the siren blared once, to get their
attention.

WAAA !!!!

"Oh boy." Gary murmured, watching as the flashing lights trailed them for a few miles. He turned  back around. "Dad, I-I think you'd better pull over."

Worried, Lois turned in her seat to look out the rear window. "Bernie...the police," she touched his arm gently.

Muttering under his breath, Bernie waited until it was safe to pull over to the side of the road,
leaving the engine idle. "Let me handle this."

"Dad--"

"I got it," Bernie interrupted with a wave of his hand.

With a sigh, Gary closed his eyes and slid down in his seat. Okay. Fine. If his father wanted to handle things, he'll let him. He was simply going to stay out  of it. It'll serve him right!

"Bernie...h-here she comes," Lois whispered.

She? Gary mused silently. He could hear the sound of the officer's boots on the gravel road. Boy is she in for a ride.

"I got things under control." Bernie assured them.

"D'you know you were going over the speed limit?" the officer questioned as she approached the van.

The voice sounded familiar. Gary opened his eyes a slit to peer out of his side window.

Petite, with shiny black hair that fluttered gently beneath her helmet, the officer wore mirrored shades the red lens reflecting the waning sunlight. If he didn't know any better he would have sworn the officer looked like--- Squinting to get a better look, his eyes popped open. Brigatti?!

"Can I see some ID please," the officer asked.

"Look..er... miss," Bernie chuckled digging into his back pocket for his wallet. "We kind of had a bit of a problem."

The officer didn't respond.

"Look, it's almost Christmas, it's cold. Couldn't you just let us off, just this once? You know in the
holiday spirit?"

Still, the officer didn't respond, but stood quiet patiently waiting for Bernie to produce his license.
Suddenly, and ever so slowly the shades turned towards the seat behind the driver and settled on
Gary. For a moment, all was still.

Uneasy, Gary stared back seeing nothing but his own reflection reflected in the red-lens. Maybe Brigatti had a twin--God forbid. He shuddered at the thought. Time seemed to stand still as the
shades seemed to have locked onto him. The fact that he couldn't see the officer's eyes was making him very uncomfortable. He cut his eyes away breaking contact.

"You wouldn't be trying to bribe an officer now would you?" The officer accused, her attention still
focused on the occupant in the seat behind the driver.

"My husband just got lost miss officer lady." Lois said, leaning over Bernie to peer through the
window at her. " He's just too darned stubborn to admit it o-or even stop to ask for help."

"I don't need any help!" Bernie scoffed, handing over his driver's license. Her attention broken, the
officer turned to take Bernie's license. She examined it thoroughly then handed it back to him.
Then slowly her attention was turned back to the seat behind the driver. For what seemed like hours to Gary the officer stood quietly before asking in soft voice. "You got an ID?"

Gary turned back to find the officer's attention focused on him.

"Huh?"

The officer let out an impatient breath. "ID?" she asked more sharply this time.

Slightly irritated, Gary leaned over slightly to slide his wallet from his back pocket. He
pulled out his license and handed it over to her.

The officer studied the license for a moment; probably a little longer than Gary felt was really necessary when he suddenly remembered. He had forgotten to renew it. Great! And Marissa had been on him about taking care of it right before his birthday.

The officer glanced up from the license. "Are you aware this expired in September? Mr. ah...?"

"Hobson. Yeah, I-I know. I'll take care of it." Gary said, ruffling the back of his hair nervously.

Eyeing him skeptically, the officer turned to Bernie.  "Your son?" she asked.

A broad grin spread across Bernie's face. "Yep. Chip off the old block huh? Heh, heh"

"No comment." The officer answered with a half snort and handed him back his license. Pressing her lips together in frustration, she handed Gary back his license also. Snapping her notepad closed she stuffed it into her back  pocket and glanced up at the driver window. "Look, I'm gonna let you off with a warning this time Mr. Hobson, but you really need to slow down a bit. The roads are very slippery this time of the year. " She paused, turning her attention back to Gary. "And YOU..."

Gary flinched slightly at her tone.

"You'd better get that license renewed."

"I-I will," he stammered.

"I wouldn't want to have to haul you in."

"Ah--that won't be necessary," he added quickly, stuffing his wallet back into his pocket.

With that, the officer turned and walked briskly away.

"Have a nice Christmas!" Lois called out in her usual cheery fashion as Bernie started up the van.

Gary blew out a breath of relief then leaned forward to peer through the van window. That's it. He had finally lost it. Gone over the edge.

"What is it son?" Bernie asked, noting his son's strange expression.

Gary glanced up wearily at his father. "Oh...it's just that well...that police woman looked like someone I know."

Lois turned around and smiled at him. "Ohhh! Now wasn't that so sweet of her to let you go."

"Sweet!?" Gary shot his Mom a look, his voice incredulous, " Mom! I-I wasn't the one driving!"

"And it's a good thing too!" Lois chastised, turning back around.

Resigned, Gary dropped his face in his hands. "Can we just... go please," he sighed, gesturing forward.

"Jingle bells, Jingle bells, jingle all the waaayyyy!" Bernie began to sing as he pulled back out into traffic.

Tired, Gary reached into the bag and pulled out the package of aspirin he had purchased at the store. He opened it and popped two in his mouth then leaned back against his seat.

They drove on through a light drift of snow, passing up signs and exits with his parents bickering on directions along the way. Soft Christmas music from the radio permeated the space of the minivan with his parents voices fading softly into the background. Gently the aspirin began to take affect. From somewhere an instrumental rendition of Karen Carpenter's 'Merry  Christmas Song' was playing softly as Gary drifted on.

"Gary. Gary...wake up."

A sudden blast of cold air sent a chill through him. Gary felt himself being shaken. He opened his
eyes slowly to find his mother staring down at  him with a strange look on her face.

Worried, he squinted up at her. "What?" he asked. "Are we there?"

"Well...no.. son, you see... your father ran into a bit of a....problem."

Gary blinked, wondering it the van came with the necessary tools in case of an emergency."Flat tire?"

"Ah....no."

Slightly alarmed, he frowned." Don't tell me, w-we ran out of gas."

"No. Your father just ran out of freeway."

"Howzat?" Gary bolted up quickly looking around. It was night. Through the frost covered windows he could make out  what appeared to be snow capped residential homes lined in colorful blinking lights against a dark blue sky. The neighborhood looked familiar. It was a moment before he realized ... it was the neighborhood he had grown up in. They were back at home. They were in Hickory.

"Well...what happened!?" he asked, sliding a hand through his hair.

"It was all your mother's fault!" Bernie accused as he returned from the house to finish removing their luggage from the rear of the van. Slamming the door shut he hurried back to the house.

"My fault!?" Lois started out after him. "Bernie...I told you to take Rustleberry Road!"

Mentally exhausted Gary slumped back against his seat. He could *not* believe they had gone in a complete circle. His parents never ceased to amaze him!

On the radio, the song 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' was playing softly. Gary blew out a tired breath and sat quietly, listening to the words.

I'll be home for Christmas;
You can plan on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love-light gleams----

"Gary?" Lois's voice interrupted his musings. Gary raised his head. In one hand Lois held a pitcher of eggnog just warmed from the microwave and paper cups in the other. Gary reached over to help her' inside the van.

"You okay?" she asked softly, handing him a cup.

"I-I'm fine." he answered, taking a sniff from his cup. " With Brandy?" he smiled. " Good! I-I could use a drink  right now."

"I think we all could." Lois smiled.

Gary took a sip of the thick sweet nectar, letting it slide down his throat, warming him up inside. "Umm...it's good mom."

"Homemade." Lois smiled, taking a sip from her cup.

Gary lowered his cup looking around. "W-Where's dad?"

"Right here son." Bernie said, wedging in beside his wife. Lois handed him a cup.

"That was some trip huh?" Bernie grinned.

Gary gave him a double take then shook his head with a lopsided smile.

"Well, we didn't make it to Uncle Charlie's this year, but at least we have you home with us." Lois smile at him as she raised her cup for a toast.

"Mom, you know I can't stay. The paper and all."  Gary answered as they tapped his cup with theirs.

"Oh, now Gary you have to! " Lois frowned. " I called Uncle Charlie and told him what happened. They're driving down in a couple of days to spend Christmas with us."

"I-I'll be here for Christmas," he promised.

There was a long silence before reality of their whole ordeal finally sunk in. A chuckle started from Bernie and it wasn't long before all three of them were bowled over with laughter. They were still laughing as they climbed out of the van to finish removing the  rest of the luggage and presents then headed towards  the house with their arms full.

"Anyone up for making snow angels?"

"Bernie, next year Gary's driving."

"Ohh no! No more road trips with you two!"

"Now Gary."

The End

~+~ 

Email the author: Candi30938@aol.com
 

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