December 24th 2020 8:45 a.m.

Charlie POV

''Am I in the right place?'' the guy I'll know as Kyle asks me. I peer at the map.

''Only if nowhere's right, `cuz that's where you are.'' I say.

''Sonuvabitch. There another phone around here? You know, one that works?'' Kyle asks.

''Bob'll probably let you use the diner phone if you ask him real nice...And pay `im somethin'.'' I say.

''I can handle that. You got pancakes here?'' he asks.

''Yeah, we got a buttermilk stack for three seventy-five. We also got French toast for four dollars if you're into that. I personally like the pancakes though.'' I say.

''You okay, Charlie?'' I hear Jeep say.

We both turn to see Jeep behind the diner, wearing mechanic's coveralls and holding a dusty old crib. I quickly hide my cigarette behind my back. I am so busted.

''Yeah, I'm okay. This guy's just lost.'' I say.

Jeep nods, uncertain, and he eyes Kyle another moment, then he shuffles along out of sight. I bring the cigarette back up to my lips.

''Three seventy-five, huh?'' Kyle asks after an awkward moment.

Sage Ginger Shawnever POV

I am taking in the news that I am pregnant when I see Aunt Esme, grandma Diana, Grandpa Reuben, my cousins, Paris, Jacob, and Judah, and my Uncle William.

''Grandma, grandpa what are you guys doing here?'' I ask.

''Well, we intended to follow you to the Hebert's to make sure everything went okay. But we broke down.'' Grandma says.

I groan as we're stuck here until every camper and car is fixed. With three heavily pregnant women. Of course, I only know Charlie by her taking our orders.

'Can this get any worse?' I think to myself. The door opens and jingles as a man I will know as Kyle and Charlie come in the diner.

I see Audrey's eyes light up when she sees Kyle. I see he notices her as well. How couldn't he? She's directing every ounce of sex appeal she has in his direction.

Her parents, on the other hand, shoot a look of utter fear in Kyle's direction, as if he personified their worst suburban nightmare. I see Charlie head to the register. She digs out a fresh pack of smokes from underneath the counter.

''I hope Salem Lights are okay, cuz that's all we got left.'' I hear Charlie say.

''If I can smoke `em, I'll take `em.'' Kyle says.

''Where ya been, Charlie?'' Bob asks as he steps off the chair. ''This ain't a resort you know. I got orders stacking up here.'' he says even though it isn't true. Bob sees the two cigarettes Kyle's handing her.

''You best not be smokin' again. Not in your condition.'' Bob says.

''Bob, do you see where am I right now? Can my condition really get any worse? `Sides, you ain't one to talk.'' Charlie says.

''What? I quit two years ago.'' Bob says.

''Yeah, so why you still carryin' that fancy lighter `round for?'' Charlie asks Bob.

''It was a gift from my ex-wife, alright? I'm sentimental. I don't wanna forget how much I hate her guts.'' Bob says in response.

Bob POV

''Hey man?'' a man asks me and I turn and look a him and I don't like what I see. A gangster or just someone who doesn't trust easily.

''Can I use your phone? My cell doesn't get a signal out here and the pay phone outside is busted.'' the man says and I go to answer when I am cut off.

''Excuse me?'' Howard asks, oblivious to the conversation I was having. ''Any news about when our truck might be fixed? You said your boy would have us on the road two hours ago. The rate we're going, we'll be lucky to make it to Scottsdale by Christmas.'' he says and my face darkens as I hear that.

''Goddamn it. Where the hell is Jeep?'' I ask.

The scene changes to grimy piece of wood being cleaned.

Jeep POV

I wipe away the dirt with a cloth, revealing the partial image of an angel carved into the surface. I am carefully cleaning the old wooden crib on a workbench. There's an unsettling intensity in my eyes, as if fear itself were driving me.

''Hey, Leonardo...!'' my dad yells.

I freeze, knowing that I am in deep trouble. I reluctantly turn to see my father standing next to the Anderson's broken-down U-Haul. Ah crud, I'm dead.

''The fact that this truck's hood's up mean anything to you? And what about the Shawnever/Humble/Johns/Constance/Blake family campers and cars? Or I don't know, Evan Downey's Camaro?'' dad asks.

I stare at the ground, very uncomfortable.

''Yeah...I'll get to work.'' I say. Dad approaches me and peers at the crib.

''Whaddya workin' on that's so gosh darn important you're not doin' your job?'' Dad asks and I squirm.

''Nothin'...'' I say, trying and failing, to hide the crib, hoping he'll leave it at that but dad just looks at the crib with a dismal look.

''Found it under a bunch of stuff in the storage shed. I know you never like to throw anything away...'' I say, trying to come up with something so he will lose the dismal look. Dad's look softens.

''Whaddya doin'?'' dad asks me.

''What...?'' I ask him.

''Jeep, I like Charlie. I do. And I think it's real good of you to lend her a helping hand, but she is not your responsibility.'' dad says.

Having heard, I brush past dad and tell him to leave me alone.