Chapter Three
Preparations.
Tuesday had passed in a blur of talk, hugs, and activity.
Nita sat at the dining room table with her father, Dairine, and Kit, discussing what was going to happen the next day.
"Okay, Nita," her father said, half business now. "Here's what's gonna happen. You and Kit are gonna go out to a little town up in Adrionack State Park. Got that? Okay. You are to take your Element, Nita, and Kit is to leave the truck here. I'll take the truck up separately, with Dairine, and I'll meet you two there Thursday afternoon at about two PM. I'm giving you two directions on how to get there from here, so that's ensured. Pack a tent, if you need it, sleeping bags, water and food, and take a lantern. Bug repellant… um… I think that's all you'll need."
"So we're staying in Johnsburg?" Nita inquired.
"Nope. It's all in the directions and agenda."
Kit squirmed uncomfortably, and Nita's dad looked at him.
"Whatcha need, Kit?"
Looking sufficiently unsure of himself, Kit told the family, "Um… sorry if this doesn't work, but Mom and Dad want me to bring Ponch and Emily."
Nita raised an eyebrow as her dad and Dairine chuckled.
"I expected that… bring 'em along," Nita's dad nodded.
"Okay… great!" Kit sighed, relieved. "What time should I be here?"
Nita's dad looked at the clock on the oven stove.
"Five AM work for you?"
Kit nodded. "Yeah."
Nita interrupted, beside herself with curiosity.
"Hey hey hey hey hey… wait a minute. Who the heck is Emily?" she asked pointedly.
Kit blinked, then laughed.
"I thought I told you. We got a kitten over the weekend. Real cutie, but she'll rip your head off if she doesn't like you. Calico."
Nita rolled her eyes. "Oh. And she hasn't killed Ponch yet?" she needled.
Her father interrupted.
"Okay, end of discussion. I want you two to call me once you get up there. And don't try going to
Times Square first, you two. If you're gonna stop, do it anywhere but Times Square. Do I make myself clear?"
Both nodded, and Kit asked, "What about my Silverado?"
Harry Callahan blinked. "What kind of job do you have, Kit?" he asked curiously.
Kit shook his head. "I got it for my birthday from my aunt. She works at a Chevy dealership."
Nita's dad laughed, then said, "If you can hitch it up to Nita's Element, that's fine. So long as no one steals it."
Nita got up and, holding her arms above her head, stretched. Kit took the opportunity to lean over and zap her in the ribs. She socked him gently and sat back down, barely bothering to hide a huge yawn.
Kit laughed, then got up.
"Well, it's late, and we've got an early morning tomorrow… see you guys in the morning."
He winked at Nita, who blushed, then with a "G'night, you guys," stepped outside into the gentle summer rain starting to come down, and shut the door. Nita sighed, smiled slightly, and headed upstairs for a nice warm shower.