Chapter 3:
Maria swung the van into the furthest corner of the parking lot in front of a burger bar in a small town just off the interstate. It was 9.30 on a fine evening and she felt like she'd been driving forever.
She didn't really mind; she was still full of nervous energy and driving calmed her down, distracting her from the repetitive thoughts swirling around her brain. Her mom was her main concern. How would she deal with the loss of her baby girl so suddenly and mysteriously? Of course, the Parkers and the Evanses, even the Sheriff if she let him, would help her get through it, but Maria's sadness sometimes threatened to overwhelm her.
A warm hand covered hers, a strong arm wrapped round her shoulders and soft lips kissed her cheek as Michael's voice in her head reassured her that her mom would be fine, she wasn't alone and somehow they'd find a way to let her know they were safe.
The others, including Michael, had dozed for hours as she drove endlessly through the afternoon and into the evening, always with one eye on the traffic looking out for suspicious vehicles. She'd had a jolt when she saw the black limo again just ahead of her in the early evening, and became momentarily light-headed with relief when it turned into the parking lot of a funeral home. The macabre connotations weren't lost on her and she'd giggled nervously, disturbing Michael who sent a sleepily irritable protest about being woken up. She returned soothing reassurance and she was left alone again with her own thoughts.
Nobody stirred as she drove so she just carried on until her stomach started to growl and the roadside diners looked increasingly attractive.
Making a decision after debating with herself over the merits of pizza and burgers, she chose to turn-off at a town whose name she forgot as soon as she'd read it. If the others didn't agree with her, it was just too bad. They should have woken up sooner.
It was getting late, there was nobody about and the burger bar looked clean and quiet. The sun was setting behind a distant mountain when she'd switched off the engine and closed her eyes.
Michael's brief kiss stirred desires other than for food and she quickly repressed them, but not before catching his immediate response to her thought and his reluctant agreement not to pursue it. ***Soon, Maria*** he promised and she felt the long suppressed passion in his thoughts heat up her blood.
The rest of the group, except Max who remained heavily asleep on the back seat, had woken and were stretching and yawning. Nobody commented about the burger bar but placed their orders with sandy-haired, short-braided Liz who had been nominated to collect them along with Kyle now sporting black hair tied back, a neat mustache and a deep tan. Michael gave them some real money and they climbed out of the van.
There were a couple of wooden picnic tables and benches on a patch of grass at the side of the building. Michael and Kyle dragged them together and they all sat down to eat. The evening air in the shallow, wooded valley was comfortably cool after a day in the hot van.
They ate in silence again and after dumping the cartons, settled back to talk. Michael asked Liz to wake Max, but she said that he was so exhausted from the shock of recent events that she wouldn't let him be disturbed. She said she'd speak for both of them. Nobody commented aloud, but Kyle and Michael raised an eyebrow at each other over Liz's head and Isobel snorted to herself.
Michael brought out a small, battered sketchpad and pen he'd retrieved from his bags in the van. He flipped it open to reveal a list he'd already written.
"I always had a plan ready for when I was goin' to take off on my own." He glanced at Maria, who winked at him with a wry smile. "It's just basic common sense. I know Max should be here to discuss this, but if Liz is willing to speak for him, then we can't wait any longer to make plans. Here's what I think we need to do to take some precautions against being traced. Anybody have comments, feel free."
"Point One. Trust no one. For me, that meant keep my mouth shut and my eyes open. For us, that means someone on lookout at all times, day and night wherever we are."
They all nodded.
" Point Two. Pool our cash, and spend it on agreed items only, unless there's an emergency. Emergencies don't include lip gloss, high-heeled shoes or little dresses on sale, ok, Blondie?"
"Might it include certain items of lacy lingerie, if it gets really, really, cold, Spaceboy?***
***Sorry, Maria, rules are rules - you may have to go commando. For the good of the group . . .***
***Good God, Spaceboy, I can actually HEAR you leering . . .***
***Later, babe***
Aloud, Maria pouted, giggled and threw a mock punch at Michael's bicep. The others smiled perfunctorily and Michael continued.
" Iz, you'll sometimes have to alter notes to high denominations. We can change them in busy tourist stores so we can spend smaller real ones without leaving a trail of counterfeit notes all over the Rockies for the Feds to track."
Isobel assured him that he didn't need to worry about that as her work was so good it would be difficult to detect without expert knowledge. She said her notes could be in circulation for years before the authorities noticed.
Michael nodded judiciously.
"Good point, Iz, and I'm sure you're right, but at this stage, we need to avoid as many risks as possible, so we still gotta be careful where and when we spend them." He looked over at her unapologetically. She just shrugged.
"On to my next point. Number Three - we need another set of wheels."
He waited for comments, but none came. It worried him slightly that they were all so passive, but he guessed they were still in shock to varying degrees and just wanted to be told what to do for the present. He was relieved in a way as it made things easier for him.
"See, if I'd gone alone I would have changed my bike for a car as soon as I could. Disguising ourselves and the van with our powers is a big advantage, but we are still a group of six teens in a van. That's what they'll be looking for. However, a second van, or car, would not only give us more space, but freedom to travel in different size groups. We don't want to draw attention to ourselves so we gotta split up soon. Oh, don't worry, we'll still be together, but we won't be six teens in a van. Understand?"
Liz nodded. "Yeah, I get it. You're right, Michael, but where will we get the money?"
"We got two choices, work for it or steal a car somewhere. Working for it is too risky and too slow."
"No, Michael, that's dishonest! I may be on the run, but I'm NOT a thief, I won't lower myself to do that."
"Liz, chica, I'm sorry, but Michael's right, we may have to do things we don't like in order to survive. Nobody wants that, but we don't have any choice."
"I'm with Guerin, we do what we have to do".
"Me, too, Michael, I suppose. Where would we find work around here, anyway? It's still too close to home."
"OK, that's four to two (I'm including Max with Liz, here) in favour of Grand Theft Auto. When do we make our move, Spaceboy?"
"Cool your jets, Maria, there's no big rush tonight. Over the next couple days, we'll scope out a plan and go for it. Tonight we continue to go through my list of safety precautions. Going back to my earlier point, we need to plan our budget."
***Spaceboy, I didn't know you'd heard of the concept. How come your phone was always being cut off for non-payment?***
***Not always, Maria, just the once. I CAN learn from my mistakes, you know***
***Sorry, Michael, I was just teasing***
***I know, babe, you just hit a nerve, is all. I learnt to manage money when I lived with Hank. Well, what little he didn't booze and piss away. I just went a little crazy for a while when I got emancipated and bought the TV and the bike. I guess they'll be repo'd, though. Bet my credit rating's zero now, huh? Even if it's not the Feds after us, we can't use credit cards anyway. Which reminds me - we need to talk with Kyle as soon as we can***
***Wait, what did you mean 'if' - never mind. Later. Over and out, Spaceboy***
"Ok, everyone throw their cash on the table so we know what we've got to play with."
The group dug around and pulled out wallets and loose change from various pockets.
Kyle counted his cash and announced that he had $50 in notes and nearly $10 in change.
Michael contributed $300 - savings that he'd taken with him during his original flight from Roswell - as well as change from various pockets amounting to another $12.
Liz had nothing, explaining that she had left her purse when she ran from the school. She didn't know how much Max had on him.
Isobel had no purse, either, but she did have a small roll of cash that Jesse had given her at the last moment. When she counted it there was $1000. This drew gasps from everyone around the table and a sudden feeling of faint optimism spread through the group.
Maria surprised them all by reaching into the purse she had carried throughout their ordeal, then pushing a pretty flowered envelope into the growing pile of cash on the table while tears slid silently from her sad, green eyes. Michael wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head while Liz held her hand until she composed herself. After a few moments she pulled herself together enough to whisper an explanation.
"My mom gave me that before the ceremony - she said she'd been saving up for me to go to college and this was a special graduation present to spend on having fun in my last summer before I had to be a real grownup. I haven't had time to open it yet."
She reached across and retrieved the envelope, gazing at it for a few moments before slowly sliding a fingernail beneath the flap. Inside she found some cash, which she handed to Michael without comment, and a letter that instantly became the focus of her complete attention.
The others looked at her with sympathy as she hesitated, then put it back into her purse unread. She moved away from Michael and sat up, brushing a hand over her wet cheeks and smiling at everyone around the table.
" 'k, how much have we got to party with?"
Isobel reached over and gathered the cash together, nodding to Liz to help her with the count. A few moments later, she reported back.
" Including $500 from Maria's mom, $55 in alien and normal notes I just remembered from this morning and not including anything Max may have, our grand total is $1,937 and small change."
Nobody spoke right away, but there was a tangible sense of relief in the air. They wouldn't have to worry too much about money, at least, for a little while.
Liz was the first to break the silence.
"Well, at least we don't have to steal a car now, we have enough to buy one."
Three pairs of eyes looked sharply at her and three heads slowly shook in unison. Isobel just continued to gaze off into the distance, already back in her own world.
Finally, Kyle sighed and spoke.
"Liz, we don't know how long this cash will have to last, so we really can't afford to use any of it on a car. Stealing one is still top of the agenda."
Liz stood up and stalked over to the van, climbed in and sat brooding in the front seat, careful not to disturb her alien king asleep in the back.
Michael continued as if nothing had happened.
"Isobel, change some of those bills to higher denominations for emergencies, say another $1000, but keep them separate so we don't spend them by accident. Remember we only use them in large stores in busy tourist towns or else in gas stations along the main highways to get more real change."
"I suggest we all get a personal emergency stash of $50 each, accountable to the group at weekly budget meetings". He looked meaningfully at Maria and Isobel as he emphasised the last bit. Maria nodded solemnly back at him. He hid a private smile.
"Who gets to be treasurer, any suggestions? I nominate Maria, she's got the only purse among us."
"Ha de ha, Spaceboy. I don't mind, but why not you?
Kyle backed her up. "Seriously, Guerin, you're the only one of us who seems to have any practical ideas about what to do in this mess, so you would be the logical choice to take care of the money. I'm with Maria on this. I vote for you, too."
"Isobel?" She came out of her reverie with a start.
"I really don't care, Michael, do whatever you like. I'm just too tired to give a damn about anything right now."
"OK, then, continuing on to Point 4."
"Which is, Guerin?"
He paused. Nobody interrupted but the other three watched him with a new respect he'd never experienced before as they waited for his next words. He thought that he had never talked so much in his whole life and certainly nobody, except Maria, had ever listened so closely to what he had to say. It felt amazingly good.
"Before I get to that, two of us should do a quick check of the area to make sure we don't have an audience and that Max is ok in the van."
"Meanwhile, I'm goin' to take a leak in those bushes behind us."
"Didn't need to know that, Michael" muttered Isobel, her nose wrinkled in distaste as she followed Kyle round the corner in front of the diner.
Left alone, Maria saw Liz heading towards her across the grass and they exchanged sympathetic looks before Liz sat down and dropped her head in her hands, choking back a sob.
Maria's soft heart went out to her best friend.
"What's wrong, Liz? Apart from we're on the run, of course. I know it's a tough break for all of us, but we'll get through it together and see our families again one day. I just know we will. We have to be strong for each other. Come on, we haven't any ice cream, but it's good to share with your best friend, chica. I'm guessing its Max?"
"Yes, Maria, it's Max. As usual. You know, I really and truly thought that all the problems between us were over. His son is safe, Tess is dead and the only thing wrong is that we are on the run from the FBI. That's even romantic in a twisted kind of way". Liz sniffed loudly and dabbed at her eyes with a paper napkin Maria handed to her.
"Romantic? Well, I guess I sorta know what you mean, sweetie . . ."
"It is, really, Maria, if you think about it. On the run from the FBI with a powerful, alien king for your lover and soul mate. It's like a movie plot, a romantic adventure with special effects . . . but I'm so scared, Maria. I'm not sure he really loves me after all. He says he does and, like, you know, we finally made love and it was everything I dreamed it would be . . ." Liz paused and her eyes turned soft for a moment as she relived the memories. Then they filled with tears and her voice broke. "But now I keep thinking, what if he's really just with me because he feels guilty about ruining my life? Because it's true, he HAS ruined my life and he DID sleep with Tess and . . . and . . .God, I haven't even got a choice any more, what am I going to do? We're all g- going to be k- killed . . ."
"Wait, Liz, hold on, don't you think you're over reacting just a tiny bit here? We've only been on the run for 24 hours. I don't want to be brutal, but there are plenty of other things to worry about in this scenario, chica. Max does love you, you know you've got the whole soul mate thing going, the way he looks at you. He's just in shock. We all are and nobody is thinking clearly, well, except my Michael. God, I'm so proud. I've always had faith in him. Alien or not, he's a really special guy."
***Was that a kiss you sent me, Spaceboy?***
***Yeah, princess, as a matter of fact it was***
***Where are you?***
***I'm hiding in the bushes. DON'T look for me; you'll only give me away***
***Michael, why . . . ?***
***Can't you calm her down? God, I hate it when women cry***
***She just needs to talk, needs to cry, she's coming out of shock, I think***
Liz sat up and dried her eyes, which suddenly had a calculating look.
"Yes, Michael's been surprisingly intelligent, brave and strong in all this. I'd never have believed it of him. I'm impressed. He's made Max look totally inadequate."
"Liz, hey, Lizzie, my Spaceboy is all that and more, but don't be so hard on Max - like I said, he's just in shock. He'll sleep it off soon and be back to pissing us all off like the girlfriend we all know and love. Joking, chica, don't give me that death glare. Max is special to us all and he'll be back among the living soon, ok? Look, Isobel and Kyle are back from patrol and here comes Michael, too. Carry on, Spaceboy, you have the floor."
"Thanks, Maria. Max still not with us, Iz?"
"Still out cold. I put a blanket over him."
"Ok, item 4. Camping, motels or carry on sleeping in the van. I suggest camping while the weather is still warm enough. It'll be cheaper and easier to hide. We need only buy a couple tents, two of us can take turns sleeping on guard in the van. If we buy the stuff in a tourist area we can use some of Iz's high denomination notes and be lost on the back roads before they remember us."
He paused and then went on to put the case for the next option.
"Motels. Not so cheap and more easily traced by the FBI, even if we can get another car and split up each night where we can. We should spend every other night driving, anyway, for at least the next couple weeks to make sure we get lost in America as fast as possible."
He looked round at them all.
"Third option is sleeping every night in the van, like we did last night. My opinion? Not a good choice. Too cramped, nobody gets enough sleep and we're exhausted all the time. Result? We get sloppy and eventually we get captured. We need to be alert at all times and this means that we need to get decent rest. What do you say?"
"Camping gets my vote, Guerin, I like your way of thinking."
"Spaceboy, I'll go with you because your arguments convinced me, but I really, really want motels. Can we do one once in a while, can we, huh? Just so I don't totally forget what civilisation is like when I've turned into a female Grizzly Adams."
Once the general hysteria had subsided, the voting resumed.
"I couldn't possibly camp without hot showers, comfortable beds and privacy. If you can provide those, Michael, I'll consider it. Until then, I vote for motels."
"Surprise, Isobel. What about you and Max, Liz? Camp or motel?
"We're with Isobel, so motel it is."
"Well, it's a fifty-fifty split, so we'll just have to toss a coin. Maria, do the honors here, heads camp or tails motel?"
"Don't bother, Maria, I'm voting for myself on this one and I say camping from tomorrow, but motel tonight. I think we deserve it for one night, don't you Michael?"
Max spoke cheerfully as he rounded the corner of the building and approached the group, sitting down by Liz and holding her against him. Maria noticed the hopeful look that flashed across her face before she buried her head in his chest, but said nothing. Michael looked thoughtfully at his almost-brother and agreed that a motel for the night might not, after all, be such a bad idea.
"We are lost in America tonight after all, and nobody seems to have followed us so far." said Max, revealing that he must have been listening to their conversation for some time before he joined them. "I asked the guy in the burger bar where we could find somewhere nearby and he advised us to keep driving on this road, take the second left and his sister who owns the Green Apple motel will be waiting for us. Reasonable rates, clean rooms and breakfast if we want it. I took the liberty of booking three rooms for our party of students on a summer road trip. Come on, guys, hot showers and soft beds await us."
"More like cold showers for those of us rooming with Isobel Evans", Kyle mumbled to himself as he followed the others to their van.
"It's 10.15 now, we should be ready to go by 8.30 tomorrow morning. We can mix in with the rush hour traffic, in case anyone is watching us. We all get to take a turn on watch tonight, except Maria -."
"Hey, Michael, not fair, just because Maria's your girlfriend -."
"Hey, Liz, Maria drove for seven hours straight and kept a lookout while the rest of us slept. She's done more than her share for tonight, so no whining about unfair, got it?"
"Sorry, Maria, I shouldn't have said what I did, I should have thought of that myself."
"Ok, Lizzie, it's forgotten. We've arrived, so let's check in and get to our rooms."
"Before we all crash, though . . . Isobel, use your alien mojo and turn us all back into ourselves, will you."
Isobel nodded tiredly at him.
"Ok, Kyle, I'll do the rounds of the rooms last thing and change everyone back until morning."
The Green Apple's hospitality was as good as promised and to Michael and Maria it offered all the delights of Paradise. They were together again and alone at last in a cheap motel room.
TBC . . .
Maria swung the van into the furthest corner of the parking lot in front of a burger bar in a small town just off the interstate. It was 9.30 on a fine evening and she felt like she'd been driving forever.
She didn't really mind; she was still full of nervous energy and driving calmed her down, distracting her from the repetitive thoughts swirling around her brain. Her mom was her main concern. How would she deal with the loss of her baby girl so suddenly and mysteriously? Of course, the Parkers and the Evanses, even the Sheriff if she let him, would help her get through it, but Maria's sadness sometimes threatened to overwhelm her.
A warm hand covered hers, a strong arm wrapped round her shoulders and soft lips kissed her cheek as Michael's voice in her head reassured her that her mom would be fine, she wasn't alone and somehow they'd find a way to let her know they were safe.
The others, including Michael, had dozed for hours as she drove endlessly through the afternoon and into the evening, always with one eye on the traffic looking out for suspicious vehicles. She'd had a jolt when she saw the black limo again just ahead of her in the early evening, and became momentarily light-headed with relief when it turned into the parking lot of a funeral home. The macabre connotations weren't lost on her and she'd giggled nervously, disturbing Michael who sent a sleepily irritable protest about being woken up. She returned soothing reassurance and she was left alone again with her own thoughts.
Nobody stirred as she drove so she just carried on until her stomach started to growl and the roadside diners looked increasingly attractive.
Making a decision after debating with herself over the merits of pizza and burgers, she chose to turn-off at a town whose name she forgot as soon as she'd read it. If the others didn't agree with her, it was just too bad. They should have woken up sooner.
It was getting late, there was nobody about and the burger bar looked clean and quiet. The sun was setting behind a distant mountain when she'd switched off the engine and closed her eyes.
Michael's brief kiss stirred desires other than for food and she quickly repressed them, but not before catching his immediate response to her thought and his reluctant agreement not to pursue it. ***Soon, Maria*** he promised and she felt the long suppressed passion in his thoughts heat up her blood.
The rest of the group, except Max who remained heavily asleep on the back seat, had woken and were stretching and yawning. Nobody commented about the burger bar but placed their orders with sandy-haired, short-braided Liz who had been nominated to collect them along with Kyle now sporting black hair tied back, a neat mustache and a deep tan. Michael gave them some real money and they climbed out of the van.
There were a couple of wooden picnic tables and benches on a patch of grass at the side of the building. Michael and Kyle dragged them together and they all sat down to eat. The evening air in the shallow, wooded valley was comfortably cool after a day in the hot van.
They ate in silence again and after dumping the cartons, settled back to talk. Michael asked Liz to wake Max, but she said that he was so exhausted from the shock of recent events that she wouldn't let him be disturbed. She said she'd speak for both of them. Nobody commented aloud, but Kyle and Michael raised an eyebrow at each other over Liz's head and Isobel snorted to herself.
Michael brought out a small, battered sketchpad and pen he'd retrieved from his bags in the van. He flipped it open to reveal a list he'd already written.
"I always had a plan ready for when I was goin' to take off on my own." He glanced at Maria, who winked at him with a wry smile. "It's just basic common sense. I know Max should be here to discuss this, but if Liz is willing to speak for him, then we can't wait any longer to make plans. Here's what I think we need to do to take some precautions against being traced. Anybody have comments, feel free."
"Point One. Trust no one. For me, that meant keep my mouth shut and my eyes open. For us, that means someone on lookout at all times, day and night wherever we are."
They all nodded.
" Point Two. Pool our cash, and spend it on agreed items only, unless there's an emergency. Emergencies don't include lip gloss, high-heeled shoes or little dresses on sale, ok, Blondie?"
"Might it include certain items of lacy lingerie, if it gets really, really, cold, Spaceboy?***
***Sorry, Maria, rules are rules - you may have to go commando. For the good of the group . . .***
***Good God, Spaceboy, I can actually HEAR you leering . . .***
***Later, babe***
Aloud, Maria pouted, giggled and threw a mock punch at Michael's bicep. The others smiled perfunctorily and Michael continued.
" Iz, you'll sometimes have to alter notes to high denominations. We can change them in busy tourist stores so we can spend smaller real ones without leaving a trail of counterfeit notes all over the Rockies for the Feds to track."
Isobel assured him that he didn't need to worry about that as her work was so good it would be difficult to detect without expert knowledge. She said her notes could be in circulation for years before the authorities noticed.
Michael nodded judiciously.
"Good point, Iz, and I'm sure you're right, but at this stage, we need to avoid as many risks as possible, so we still gotta be careful where and when we spend them." He looked over at her unapologetically. She just shrugged.
"On to my next point. Number Three - we need another set of wheels."
He waited for comments, but none came. It worried him slightly that they were all so passive, but he guessed they were still in shock to varying degrees and just wanted to be told what to do for the present. He was relieved in a way as it made things easier for him.
"See, if I'd gone alone I would have changed my bike for a car as soon as I could. Disguising ourselves and the van with our powers is a big advantage, but we are still a group of six teens in a van. That's what they'll be looking for. However, a second van, or car, would not only give us more space, but freedom to travel in different size groups. We don't want to draw attention to ourselves so we gotta split up soon. Oh, don't worry, we'll still be together, but we won't be six teens in a van. Understand?"
Liz nodded. "Yeah, I get it. You're right, Michael, but where will we get the money?"
"We got two choices, work for it or steal a car somewhere. Working for it is too risky and too slow."
"No, Michael, that's dishonest! I may be on the run, but I'm NOT a thief, I won't lower myself to do that."
"Liz, chica, I'm sorry, but Michael's right, we may have to do things we don't like in order to survive. Nobody wants that, but we don't have any choice."
"I'm with Guerin, we do what we have to do".
"Me, too, Michael, I suppose. Where would we find work around here, anyway? It's still too close to home."
"OK, that's four to two (I'm including Max with Liz, here) in favour of Grand Theft Auto. When do we make our move, Spaceboy?"
"Cool your jets, Maria, there's no big rush tonight. Over the next couple days, we'll scope out a plan and go for it. Tonight we continue to go through my list of safety precautions. Going back to my earlier point, we need to plan our budget."
***Spaceboy, I didn't know you'd heard of the concept. How come your phone was always being cut off for non-payment?***
***Not always, Maria, just the once. I CAN learn from my mistakes, you know***
***Sorry, Michael, I was just teasing***
***I know, babe, you just hit a nerve, is all. I learnt to manage money when I lived with Hank. Well, what little he didn't booze and piss away. I just went a little crazy for a while when I got emancipated and bought the TV and the bike. I guess they'll be repo'd, though. Bet my credit rating's zero now, huh? Even if it's not the Feds after us, we can't use credit cards anyway. Which reminds me - we need to talk with Kyle as soon as we can***
***Wait, what did you mean 'if' - never mind. Later. Over and out, Spaceboy***
"Ok, everyone throw their cash on the table so we know what we've got to play with."
The group dug around and pulled out wallets and loose change from various pockets.
Kyle counted his cash and announced that he had $50 in notes and nearly $10 in change.
Michael contributed $300 - savings that he'd taken with him during his original flight from Roswell - as well as change from various pockets amounting to another $12.
Liz had nothing, explaining that she had left her purse when she ran from the school. She didn't know how much Max had on him.
Isobel had no purse, either, but she did have a small roll of cash that Jesse had given her at the last moment. When she counted it there was $1000. This drew gasps from everyone around the table and a sudden feeling of faint optimism spread through the group.
Maria surprised them all by reaching into the purse she had carried throughout their ordeal, then pushing a pretty flowered envelope into the growing pile of cash on the table while tears slid silently from her sad, green eyes. Michael wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head while Liz held her hand until she composed herself. After a few moments she pulled herself together enough to whisper an explanation.
"My mom gave me that before the ceremony - she said she'd been saving up for me to go to college and this was a special graduation present to spend on having fun in my last summer before I had to be a real grownup. I haven't had time to open it yet."
She reached across and retrieved the envelope, gazing at it for a few moments before slowly sliding a fingernail beneath the flap. Inside she found some cash, which she handed to Michael without comment, and a letter that instantly became the focus of her complete attention.
The others looked at her with sympathy as she hesitated, then put it back into her purse unread. She moved away from Michael and sat up, brushing a hand over her wet cheeks and smiling at everyone around the table.
" 'k, how much have we got to party with?"
Isobel reached over and gathered the cash together, nodding to Liz to help her with the count. A few moments later, she reported back.
" Including $500 from Maria's mom, $55 in alien and normal notes I just remembered from this morning and not including anything Max may have, our grand total is $1,937 and small change."
Nobody spoke right away, but there was a tangible sense of relief in the air. They wouldn't have to worry too much about money, at least, for a little while.
Liz was the first to break the silence.
"Well, at least we don't have to steal a car now, we have enough to buy one."
Three pairs of eyes looked sharply at her and three heads slowly shook in unison. Isobel just continued to gaze off into the distance, already back in her own world.
Finally, Kyle sighed and spoke.
"Liz, we don't know how long this cash will have to last, so we really can't afford to use any of it on a car. Stealing one is still top of the agenda."
Liz stood up and stalked over to the van, climbed in and sat brooding in the front seat, careful not to disturb her alien king asleep in the back.
Michael continued as if nothing had happened.
"Isobel, change some of those bills to higher denominations for emergencies, say another $1000, but keep them separate so we don't spend them by accident. Remember we only use them in large stores in busy tourist towns or else in gas stations along the main highways to get more real change."
"I suggest we all get a personal emergency stash of $50 each, accountable to the group at weekly budget meetings". He looked meaningfully at Maria and Isobel as he emphasised the last bit. Maria nodded solemnly back at him. He hid a private smile.
"Who gets to be treasurer, any suggestions? I nominate Maria, she's got the only purse among us."
"Ha de ha, Spaceboy. I don't mind, but why not you?
Kyle backed her up. "Seriously, Guerin, you're the only one of us who seems to have any practical ideas about what to do in this mess, so you would be the logical choice to take care of the money. I'm with Maria on this. I vote for you, too."
"Isobel?" She came out of her reverie with a start.
"I really don't care, Michael, do whatever you like. I'm just too tired to give a damn about anything right now."
"OK, then, continuing on to Point 4."
"Which is, Guerin?"
He paused. Nobody interrupted but the other three watched him with a new respect he'd never experienced before as they waited for his next words. He thought that he had never talked so much in his whole life and certainly nobody, except Maria, had ever listened so closely to what he had to say. It felt amazingly good.
"Before I get to that, two of us should do a quick check of the area to make sure we don't have an audience and that Max is ok in the van."
"Meanwhile, I'm goin' to take a leak in those bushes behind us."
"Didn't need to know that, Michael" muttered Isobel, her nose wrinkled in distaste as she followed Kyle round the corner in front of the diner.
Left alone, Maria saw Liz heading towards her across the grass and they exchanged sympathetic looks before Liz sat down and dropped her head in her hands, choking back a sob.
Maria's soft heart went out to her best friend.
"What's wrong, Liz? Apart from we're on the run, of course. I know it's a tough break for all of us, but we'll get through it together and see our families again one day. I just know we will. We have to be strong for each other. Come on, we haven't any ice cream, but it's good to share with your best friend, chica. I'm guessing its Max?"
"Yes, Maria, it's Max. As usual. You know, I really and truly thought that all the problems between us were over. His son is safe, Tess is dead and the only thing wrong is that we are on the run from the FBI. That's even romantic in a twisted kind of way". Liz sniffed loudly and dabbed at her eyes with a paper napkin Maria handed to her.
"Romantic? Well, I guess I sorta know what you mean, sweetie . . ."
"It is, really, Maria, if you think about it. On the run from the FBI with a powerful, alien king for your lover and soul mate. It's like a movie plot, a romantic adventure with special effects . . . but I'm so scared, Maria. I'm not sure he really loves me after all. He says he does and, like, you know, we finally made love and it was everything I dreamed it would be . . ." Liz paused and her eyes turned soft for a moment as she relived the memories. Then they filled with tears and her voice broke. "But now I keep thinking, what if he's really just with me because he feels guilty about ruining my life? Because it's true, he HAS ruined my life and he DID sleep with Tess and . . . and . . .God, I haven't even got a choice any more, what am I going to do? We're all g- going to be k- killed . . ."
"Wait, Liz, hold on, don't you think you're over reacting just a tiny bit here? We've only been on the run for 24 hours. I don't want to be brutal, but there are plenty of other things to worry about in this scenario, chica. Max does love you, you know you've got the whole soul mate thing going, the way he looks at you. He's just in shock. We all are and nobody is thinking clearly, well, except my Michael. God, I'm so proud. I've always had faith in him. Alien or not, he's a really special guy."
***Was that a kiss you sent me, Spaceboy?***
***Yeah, princess, as a matter of fact it was***
***Where are you?***
***I'm hiding in the bushes. DON'T look for me; you'll only give me away***
***Michael, why . . . ?***
***Can't you calm her down? God, I hate it when women cry***
***She just needs to talk, needs to cry, she's coming out of shock, I think***
Liz sat up and dried her eyes, which suddenly had a calculating look.
"Yes, Michael's been surprisingly intelligent, brave and strong in all this. I'd never have believed it of him. I'm impressed. He's made Max look totally inadequate."
"Liz, hey, Lizzie, my Spaceboy is all that and more, but don't be so hard on Max - like I said, he's just in shock. He'll sleep it off soon and be back to pissing us all off like the girlfriend we all know and love. Joking, chica, don't give me that death glare. Max is special to us all and he'll be back among the living soon, ok? Look, Isobel and Kyle are back from patrol and here comes Michael, too. Carry on, Spaceboy, you have the floor."
"Thanks, Maria. Max still not with us, Iz?"
"Still out cold. I put a blanket over him."
"Ok, item 4. Camping, motels or carry on sleeping in the van. I suggest camping while the weather is still warm enough. It'll be cheaper and easier to hide. We need only buy a couple tents, two of us can take turns sleeping on guard in the van. If we buy the stuff in a tourist area we can use some of Iz's high denomination notes and be lost on the back roads before they remember us."
He paused and then went on to put the case for the next option.
"Motels. Not so cheap and more easily traced by the FBI, even if we can get another car and split up each night where we can. We should spend every other night driving, anyway, for at least the next couple weeks to make sure we get lost in America as fast as possible."
He looked round at them all.
"Third option is sleeping every night in the van, like we did last night. My opinion? Not a good choice. Too cramped, nobody gets enough sleep and we're exhausted all the time. Result? We get sloppy and eventually we get captured. We need to be alert at all times and this means that we need to get decent rest. What do you say?"
"Camping gets my vote, Guerin, I like your way of thinking."
"Spaceboy, I'll go with you because your arguments convinced me, but I really, really want motels. Can we do one once in a while, can we, huh? Just so I don't totally forget what civilisation is like when I've turned into a female Grizzly Adams."
Once the general hysteria had subsided, the voting resumed.
"I couldn't possibly camp without hot showers, comfortable beds and privacy. If you can provide those, Michael, I'll consider it. Until then, I vote for motels."
"Surprise, Isobel. What about you and Max, Liz? Camp or motel?
"We're with Isobel, so motel it is."
"Well, it's a fifty-fifty split, so we'll just have to toss a coin. Maria, do the honors here, heads camp or tails motel?"
"Don't bother, Maria, I'm voting for myself on this one and I say camping from tomorrow, but motel tonight. I think we deserve it for one night, don't you Michael?"
Max spoke cheerfully as he rounded the corner of the building and approached the group, sitting down by Liz and holding her against him. Maria noticed the hopeful look that flashed across her face before she buried her head in his chest, but said nothing. Michael looked thoughtfully at his almost-brother and agreed that a motel for the night might not, after all, be such a bad idea.
"We are lost in America tonight after all, and nobody seems to have followed us so far." said Max, revealing that he must have been listening to their conversation for some time before he joined them. "I asked the guy in the burger bar where we could find somewhere nearby and he advised us to keep driving on this road, take the second left and his sister who owns the Green Apple motel will be waiting for us. Reasonable rates, clean rooms and breakfast if we want it. I took the liberty of booking three rooms for our party of students on a summer road trip. Come on, guys, hot showers and soft beds await us."
"More like cold showers for those of us rooming with Isobel Evans", Kyle mumbled to himself as he followed the others to their van.
"It's 10.15 now, we should be ready to go by 8.30 tomorrow morning. We can mix in with the rush hour traffic, in case anyone is watching us. We all get to take a turn on watch tonight, except Maria -."
"Hey, Michael, not fair, just because Maria's your girlfriend -."
"Hey, Liz, Maria drove for seven hours straight and kept a lookout while the rest of us slept. She's done more than her share for tonight, so no whining about unfair, got it?"
"Sorry, Maria, I shouldn't have said what I did, I should have thought of that myself."
"Ok, Lizzie, it's forgotten. We've arrived, so let's check in and get to our rooms."
"Before we all crash, though . . . Isobel, use your alien mojo and turn us all back into ourselves, will you."
Isobel nodded tiredly at him.
"Ok, Kyle, I'll do the rounds of the rooms last thing and change everyone back until morning."
The Green Apple's hospitality was as good as promised and to Michael and Maria it offered all the delights of Paradise. They were together again and alone at last in a cheap motel room.
TBC . . .
