Chapter 3 Driving to Madrona

I am staring at amber eyes. Vaguely, I hear a roaring sound in my ears. Thoughts crash around in my head but I can't make any sense of anything. I see amber eyes going from smiling to concern to darting around and then back to me. How much time has past? I can make out words. Richard the Scottish fellow who helped me with my stick bag is talking. I hear his thick accented voice say something. My brain can't seem to make what he says into English. It really sounds like gibberish to me. Then I feel hands on my bottom and I spin around to face him, to plop down on the warm cloth seat but I actually don't land on the seat but half in the lap of …amber eyes laughing now as I look up at him over my shoulder. Breathe, just breathe. Isn't there a song by someone with those lyrics? Breathe. I scoot off the lap and look between the two men, Amber eyes and Scottish guy. They are both laughing.

'You should adjust your top. You moved but it didn't.' I look down and find that the top of my dress is askew and my left nipple is poking out. That's it I am going to die right here. Amber eyes…I look at him again. Yep my brain is starting to work. A face I recognize. Sidney Crosby. Amber eyes. OMG I just sat on his lap, flashed a nipple at him and now I am going to die of embarrassment. Breathe.

I can hear Richard commenting on the lovely Canadian scenery comparing the vast vistas to the smaller picturesque peek a boo views. We are in the middle of town there is nothing to see here. None of this conversation makes sense. Breathe. I look over the seatback to Lego. She is looking at me like 'get it together you're being so uncool'. Breathe. I look back at Richard from his grey green eyes and auburn hair to the dark curly hair and amber eyes to my left. They are looking back at me questioningly.

'You okay now? How about a sip of water? He asks. Sidney Crosby is talking. I look at the bottle he is handing me and back to his face. He gestures for me to take the bottle.

'I think that she's in shock. Must be one heck of a shock to see your ugly mug sitting there.' I am able to comprehend what Richard is saying. Breathe.

'Give her a minute.' Amber eyes leans in to me and says quietly 'Just breathe for a minute and have a drink. You're all right. Everything here is fine.' I breathe and try to swallow a mouthful of water. Don't choke don't choke, and swallow.

'Lauren, what's the best way out of here?' The deep voice asks the back seat.

'Go left, then left again to the highway then it is a right turn up island to Nanaimo.' It was easy for Lego to say. I was having trouble breathing.

I watch as the right hand puts the truck into gear. The gear stick is in front of my knees. My feet are on the transmission hump. My bag is between my feet. The air vents are blowing cool air. I can hear voices behind me talking. I see familiar sights of the town I have grown up in as we drive by them.

'What's up island?' The Scottish brogue is thick. I look at Richard as he repeats the question. It's like he is talking with marbles in his mouth. I take another sip of water and nothing.

Finally Lego answers with 'Northwest is up island. Vancouver Island doesn't sit true to north. We will go north to Parksville then go west to Port Alberni and turn south east to go to Madrona.'

I say softly not trusting myself much above a whisper. 'Not much between here and Japan' Does this even make sense?

'So Madrona is a house?" asks Richard.

'It's not so much a house as a peninsula or a point. It's pretty large. From the road you drive in about 10 km to the main buildings. I don't know how big it is in acreage.' Again Lego bails me out. We have turned by the school and come to the highway.

'I turn right here?' the deep voice asks. I nod and point to the right.

'You'll tell me what lane I need to be if we need to turn?' I look up at the amber eyes and nod again. He leans down and whispers to me. 'If you need to, tell Dickhead and I'll just listen in on your conversation. Okay?' I nod again and point straight ahead.

'I say, Walter you have a brilliant affect on women. You've positively scared this poor gell speechless. Well to you anyway.' Richard laughs. Walter? Walter? I am confused.

'How long until we turn love?

' Hour fifteen.' I watch him suspiciously. He is trying to look down my dress top. The air conditioning is going full bore as it is hot outside. The inside of the cab is cooling down and I feel my nipples tighten. I feel the heat from both men's bodies on my sides. I am trying to sit in my seat and not touch either one of them. Then I hear the ping of my cell alerting me to a message. Do I check it? What if it is important? I carefully move my bag up to my lap and dig out my phone. It's not what you call fancy just plain and simple like me.

Mama: Game go okay? Are you headed on your way?

Frodo91: Slayed orks! Of course. Just nearing red rooster.

I text my response quickly keeping the phone close to my chest. A few minutes later I hear the ping again.

Mama: Email when you get there. Tots zien.

Frodo91: Tots zien.

I sit staring straight ahead looking out the window and think for a while. It has been a discussion at several times what would you do if you met your hero, favorite actor, singer, a crush, or a person who inspires you. I had always thought that would have my wits about me, be polite and smile. Brain dead and a speechless no mind was not the impression, I thought that I would make. Who would have thought that it would actually happen? I see the hand extend to shift the truck again. I pick up my cell and text to Kendra in the other vehicle.

Frodo91: did u no?

I can hear murmurs of sound coming from the back. A quiet conversation between Lego, Ture and what was his name…Kit. Short for Christopher I assume. Very Brit.

Ping.

Samwise: met him as we were leaving. U ok?

Frodo91: Breathing just barely.

I can hear the voices but not the words. Richard and …him are talking actually bantering back and forth about the differences between here and somewhere else.

Samwise: OMG he is coming to Mad. Who r the other guys?

Frodo91:Actors and Ture.

The familiar sights keep passing us. The truck cab is now fairly cool and I am getting quite cold. I feel the skin of my arms getting goose bumps and I have positioned my bag on lap to kinda hide behind it. I am trying to shield the cool air blowing on my breasts. Okay not so much breasts but tiny chest area. My nipples are starting to hurt. I try covering them with my arms as my dress is very thin, strappy and not much help at covering anything. The girls picked it out for me to wear. I wish I had not got talked into it. Or it at least put a bra on under it. When your not big on top, everyone thinks you should go braless. This is not always the best choice. I must be wiggling in my seat because I draw the attention of my two seatmates. Ping.

Samwise: r cmg 2 lrn 2 b prinz from H. Cute?

Frodo91:Lego has claws in K. Other is gngr.

'Are you warm enough?' He says. 'Dickhead adjust your vents towards you.' I watch as his right hand adjusts to the vents in the front of the cab and he turns down the speed of the fan. 'Better?'

I nod up at his amber eyes. The cold air is now blowing softly to the sides of the cab. Then I see him hold out his right hand palm up in front of me. I look at it then to his face and watch his lips say 'Put your hands on mine.' I look at him with surprise. He wants me to Touch him!

'It's okay. I just want to feel how warm they are.' I look away from the amber eyes to the palm in front of me and tentatively put my left hand gently on his. I feel the warmth of his skin. I start to shake. Nerves. Probably.

'You are freezing.' His hand leaves mine and holds the wheel while he shifts his weight and pulls a large black warm up jacket from behind him. 'Take this. It's probably big enough to be a blanket for you.'

He tries putting the coat over me and tucking it in around me with one hand.

'You are such a spoil sport, Walter, just when things were coming to light.' I scowl at him. I think that he is not quite as nice as he is making out to be. The jacket smells like spice, good, spicy sweet a little bit. OMG, I am sniffing his jacket. Am really going to die of embarrassment.

Ping.

Samwise: how clos them?

Frodo91: btwn 87+gngr in frnt. K,lego,ture bhnd

Samwise: wots the convo in cab?

Frodo91: frt gys talking scenery. Ture asleep. K+L under blnkt. Don't know. U ?

Samwise: nt much. Pumping for 411.

'That's a lot of pinging going on for not much cell service. You gels are attached to your phones. Anyone we might know?' Richard is talking to me but looking at the to his left.

'Kendra' I reply.

'Ooh the sweet wee lass that we met mid game. The little strawberry blond one? What does she want to know? How can I help? Oh Walter keep your eyes on the road. Stop watching the scenery.' Richard is now giving him a look.

I look forward and realize that we are approaching the Nanaimo Parkway cut off. We are in the right lane to turn on the exit. I look at him. I can do this. I can speak. 'Turn here' is all I am after. But what I get out is ….yep nothing. Swig of water…still a croak. I take my right hand that has been under the jacket since he gave it to me and point to the exit. His peripheral vision must be great because he puts on the indicator and slows the truck down.

'See that worked. Just keep trying I am sure it will sort itself out soon.' I watch his lips move as he speaks. They are full, pinkish red and moist. He looks down and smiles at me. 'I gather we have a bit to the next turn off.'

I want to say about 25 minutes. I think long and hard how I can say this while I stumble trying to say simple things to him. I could 'talk to dickhead' but that seems like giving in so instead I hold up 2 fingers with my left hand pause and then 5 with my right. 2 pause 5. Then put my hands back under the jacket.

'25 minutes, eh?' he asks. He gets it. I just nod and smile. 'Warming up?' He puts out the palm of his hand again. Actually I am warmed up between the jacket and not having cool air blowing on me. I take my left hand out from under his jacket and place it on his hand to show him I am much better. He gives it a little squeeze and then lets my hand go.

My hands are back under the jacket.

Throughout this whole exchange Dickhead is quiet, watching us, I look up at him and smile. He smiles back. 'Walter can be daunting, can he?' almost sweetly.

It will be better not to think of his name as it tends to make my brain go to mush. So what are my options here. Walter?…I don't even get that. Amber eyes?….to confusing. 87 it will have to be. I look back at 87 and shake my head no. 87 just smiles at me. As we travel the by-pass, the sounds from the back seat have changed from quiet conversation to snores and … soft ahs. Ahs? I glance over my shoulder at the back seat. I feel a hand on my head turn my face back around to face the front of the truck. From the glimpse that I caught Kit and Lego are under a blanket and Ture has his eyes closed like he's sleeping.

'Be useful Dickhead find us some tunes to play and none of that bagpipe crap you tried to foist on us early. Just a second' 87 stretches, pulls a cell from his pocket and enters in a pass code. ' You know how this thing works?' 87 is giving me his iPhone.

"There is a playlist called drive…that should work.'

It wasn't long before we have tunes playing through the truck. Next challenge will be the turn west. I am listening to the two men banter about the merits of country music as opposed to alternative rock, the influence of British rock on the world and the complete lack of any decent American food. They seem to have formed a bond of good-natured camaraderie in what has to be a short space of time. Richard is arguing that all the good food in America (Usa and Canada) has really just been brought here by immigrants and what we call food is just a blend of cultures. 87 is letting him work up a head of steam. Then counters with the merits of Scottish food…which in his opinion is pretty awful. Haggis, blood pudding, smoked kippers for breakfast.

'Love, with all this talk of food is there anywhere we could stop and get a snack?' Dickhead looks at me inquiringly.

'Coombs.' I say and point forward. I look at 87 and try to focus my thoughts. Food choices. Coombs is not far away and is a large market with deli, fruit/ vegie stand and bakery. There will be lots of people there as it is a tourist haven. Will he get out and be mugged for autographs? Hmmm think brain think. I see our turn coming up and point. He's not looking at me.

'Right' I squeak out. I point again.

'See I knew you could do it.' Hey, he was testing me. I scowl at him. It might be easy for him but I'm struggling to keep it together. As we get closer we see sign advertising the market.

'Is this going to be a busy place?' 87 understands the problem. I nod and point. I know that there is a parking area that is quiet and only a little walk from the market. We could park there and a couple of us could walk over and no one would bother him. I guide him to the quiet street

'Good choice' he says.' Ture, wake up. Hey you two, we are stopping for a bit.' He gets out of the truck and hold out his hand to me. I slide over the seat where he has been sitting. It's warm. Mush brain. I hand him his jacket but he puts it around my shoulders. 'That dress of yours has a mind of it's own, you should keep this on unless you have something else that will work as a cover up.' I shake my head no.

87 reaches for his wallet, pulls out several bills and hands them to me.' Get something healthy I'm still in training. I'll stay with the truck. Okay? Dickhead, you going over to the market yes? Ture?'

'Fish?' I ask.

'Penguin!" was his firm reply. I smile. Both of the other men are out of the truck. I look for Lego but she doesn't seem to be coming. Ture leads me forward and Dickhead falls into step with us.

'What kind of food does Walter want? Penguin? Does he really want the little chocolate penguin bars from my childhood? What kind of training are they good for?' Dickhead's turn to be confused. Yeah!

'He plays hockey for the Pittsburgh Penguins, he was saying yes to the fish as a snack.' I smile as I have a mental of image of 87 in full gear flying down the ice. I tell the men my plan to split up and each get a few items. We are buying smoked salmon, fresh goat cheese, apples, pears, blackberry jelly, packages of locally made crackers, and more water bottles. I power shop. Ture has the basket. Richard in the deli lineup, and I am flitting between them. Papers plates, napkins and a travel cutlery set for four. Hand wipes in case of mess. All done, back to the truck in record time and with change to boot. 87 is sitting behind the truck in the shade playing with his phone.

'We have a feast for us here. Tylyn had a plan and it looks great. Those two come up for air yet?' Richard is putting some of the bags on the truck tailgate. 'Do we eat here or drive and snack? What is your choice?' As he finishes the right rear door opens and a tall dark scruffy guy appears and Lego is adjusting her skirt as she climbs out. Kit is looking kinda of odd. Lego is flushed but I suspect that was from being in the warm truck under the blanket.

'Great snacks' Lego is reaching a hand to one of the bags I am carrying. 'Enough for all of us? I am starved after all that exercise. How do I help out here?' I look at her, she hugs me and whispers in my ear. 'I'll pay you back later but I needed that.'

'How long now until Madrona?' Ture asks me.

' A couple of hours depends on the road. It can be slow due to rough roads.' A whole sentence in his presence. 87 smiles at me. He looks almost proud of me. I blush.

'Then lets get in the truck and snack on the road. We have one more stop for diesel and bathroom breaks.' 87 is taking charge. We all climb into our spots and we unpack the food, divide it onto plates for back and front. I build crackers of goat cheese and jelly, smoked salmon and pears, apples and ceviche salmon. Dickhead is impressed. Everyone is mostly quiet while eating.

'Okay this is really good. I take it back. I don't know what I was thinking about.' He crunches trough another cracker, while I hand one to 87.

'Make him eat his words 91 not another morsel until confesses the truth. He knows squat about cuisine.' Amber eyes are laughing.

It was good and I hadn't realized how hungry I was. Normally I'd have had a post game meal but I had completely forgotten my protein bar in my bag. With appetites sated, the food was packed up and the sun beating in the front of the truck I start to feel sleepy. I feel my head nod. The banter between 87 and Dickhead becomes distant. I just will close my eyes for a few seconds like Lego I really need this. The next thing I know is I'm being pressed hard against the seat by a wall. The truck is braking hard and tires on gravels sounds like skids. I can't see anything for the body half on top of me. The truck is now stopped with billows of dust surrounding us.

'Geez that was close. Great job, Walt, I'm impressed. Way to stop 2 tonnes of truck on a dime. Look at that beastie.' Richard is peering ahead.

'Everyone, okay? No bumps or bruising.' 87 voice is very concerned. 'You okay, 91, I didn't mean to squish you but I didn't want you flying through over the dash to become bear fodder. That's Dickhead's job.'

I look around the crew in the back are looking confused and talking about are they okay, what kind of bear is it, where's a camera to take pictures and wow that was a sudden stop. I look back at him. 87 is looking very concerned.

'Just startled.' I smile shakily.

'Ach good lass you were having a wee nap cuddled into Walter. I was going to have to remind him of his manners for then flattening you into the seat.' To me and then to 87 'Not very gentlemanly behavior really Walter. I can understand why you don't have girlfriend in your life. What a way to treat a lovely gell.'

'Oh get out of the truck and take your picture before that bear decides to move off.'

The bear, a small black bear was sitting on the edge of the road eating berries and looking nonplussed by the whole situation. Ture and Kit got out and crept up to the front of the truck to take a couple of photos and were back in the car before the bear moved. Dickhead rolled down his window and snapped photos as we rolled by.

I had slept through Port Alberni and we were now on the logging roads heading southeast to Madrona. I must have been out for about an hour maybe more.

'Diesel?' I asked.

'Yes at the last town but we decided not to you wake up.' Amber eyes says.

'I used your phone and texted your mom so she won't worry. I know mine hates me being out of cel range. Okay Frodo?' Lego knows my family so well.

I look around to find figure out where we are and it won't be on now until Madrona's turn off on Sing Road. The road condition is ….I was cuddled up to 87….just a second I remember being warm and cosy. OMG I hope that I wasn't drooling. It doesn't take long to cover the distance. There isn't much scenery to look at as this is an old growth forest with huge trees and no views. It's pretty much cool and dark in the shade of the rainforest. The truck occupants have resumed their congenial conversation. The backseat folks talking about the week ahead. Lego is cuddled up under Kit's left arm. She can be so forward. She's only met him a couple of hours ago and she now playing with his fingers like they have known each other for years. Ture is half turned in his seat relaxed back watching them. Dickhead and 87 are talking about sports. I am amazed it has taken this long for them to come to this subject. I watch out the window.

'What do you think which is better football sorry soccer or this hockey his nibs is so fascinated with? We need unbiased opinion Tylyn?' Dickhead is involving me in their conversation.

'Hockey; fast paced, physical and ' I don't get to finish my thought.

'I should have known better to ask a Canadian to speak against her national sport.' Dickhead say in disgust.

'Hockey is not our national sport. That's lacrosse.' that.

'Chirp him, 91 he doesn't know what he is talking about. It's beautiful game. Speed, power, control is what makes it a great sport.' 87 tells him.

'You an orca, 91?' I like that he calls me by my number. I shake my head no.

'Not the blue/green' I say quietly. Sing Road is ahead. I point left. He turns the truck down to where I have pointed.

'Okay two to really have your own language going on here. Is it private or would one of you like to translate?' Richard is exasperated with us.

I look at 87 and he looks back and shrugs. I let him deal with Dickhead.

'The local NHL team are the Vancouver Canucks who have a killer whale or orca on their logo and their colours are green and blue. The team are fondly known as the knuckleheads' explains 87. 'What team are you for then? The Flames, Oilers, not the Kings surely.'

'What team do you play for again? The Penguins they don't sound all that scary to me. What are they but fish eating flightless birds?' chirps Dickhead.

'Yep and proud of it. We're fast, hard working young team dedicated to winning.' 87 says proudly.

The Penguins have been my team since I was born basically. Uncle Gerry, who lives with us, is a huge Mario Lemieux fan. Mario was the star of the Penguins in those days. Uncle Gerry and I are a very close. So every Saturday night is like hockey school in our house sitting around watching and learning the sport. Dad and my brothers are Canucks fans but Uncle Gerry ever since I was born has taught me to cheer for the Pens. First for Lemieux and Jagr. Now for 87,Geno, Flower and the boys. My brothers have all played but I am just not big enough so I was enrolled into field hockey but that doesn't meaning that I haven't spent hours playing and loving the sport with four older brothers and a hockey dad you just don't get much choice. Of course I am not telling these guys any of this. I just don't answer the question.

It's not long now until the gate to Madrona. The sun is low in the sky and becoming rather golden in colour. It's close to 730pm. Sunset in about a half an hour. Madrona is lovely facing west during sunset. You feel bathed in golden light sitting out on the deck. The gate is not much to look at really. One would think with famous people owning it, the property would have 15 foot electrified fences and armed guards at the gate but no just a simple log rung fence over a cattle guard. The only indication that this is Madrona is a stylized M hung on the gate from arbutus branches. 10 k to go I point. 87 turns the truck down the smaller dirt road.

'Dickhead, shotgun opens all gates and closes them behind the truck.' 87 is definitely our captain.