A Little Snow Chapter 7

It was just after midday when they were able to get back out on the road. They had chatted with the other family for a few moments while they finished their coffees, but ultimately both groups were eager to get back to their drives. With the snow slowing over the last hour visibility had begun to improve, and more cars had decided to venture out onto the highway. There were not a significant number of new travelers, but enough to make the road seem less remote; like they were getting closer to civilization. The other cars, along with the road crews, also helped to break up the snow and ice on the roads.

"At this rate we may actually make it at some point today," Andy observed as he slowly switched lanes to allow for another vehicle to merge onto the road. "I was beginning to doubt that we would even get this far. Although, I am glad we were able to help those kids. Plus, it looks like it was a good time to break and let the ground heat up some more."

Sharon nodded, "The stop was worth it in more ways than one. Even if it takes us the rest of the day, at least their Christmas was saved. I can only imagine how terrified their parents would have been at this point. I know that Jeff was nervous about getting into trouble, but," she shook her head, "that decision was not the best one he could have made. Hopefully both of them have learned there comes a time when you need to ask for help."

"I am sure they figured it out," Andy paused for a moment before he let out a quiet chuckle, "or at least they will have by now. Their parents did not seem all too thrilled with the situation. Frustration mixed with worry, the thrills of parenting," his voice trailed as his laughter died down. He stared out the front window for a moment before dropping his voice to a more serious tone, "You never stop worrying about your kids."

At the shift in his mood Sharon glanced over. He was still watching the road ahead, but an element of sadness had taken over his features. She pressed her lips together to consider how to reply. She was used to his witty remarks and snarky retorts, but this vulnerability was somewhat unexpected and a bit difficult to know how to navigate. Without thinking she lifted her hand to reach for him, but stopped mid motion and returned her hands to her lap.

"That's true," she hummed facing forward again. "I don't think you ever stop worrying." She turned to him and smiled in an effort to lighten the mood, "Even If they think they are simply too old to be parented. Our adult children make their own decisions, but at times it is difficult to sit back and watch all of those play out."

At the comment Andy let out a controlled breath, "They don't quite prepare you for that part. Plus, growing up I couldn't say I was any different. Guilty of some questionable decisions myself, and of course I always thought I knew best."

"Don't we all?" Sharon smiled in an attempt to keep the conversation lighter. "You just make the best of it I guess. As a parent you love your children, you help them make decisions, you try your hardest, and then you have to hope for the best."

"Yeah," he exhaled slowly, "of course as a parent you can make mistakes too…"

Sharon shifted her eyes to him and worried her teeth over her bottom lip. There was an element of pain to his voice still and she was not sure how to address it. They potentially still had a couple hours to spend together. As anxious as she had been about the trip last night, she was pleasantly surprised at how easy they had traveled together. She did not want to push him too far or to say the wrong thing now that they were so close to the end of their journey.

"Well," she offered, "I am sure that will improve soon. You have changed a lot over the years. You are a dedicated officer and very good at your job. I am sure that translates into the other aspects of your life. Sometimes it takes time for other people to notice, especially if they were, um," she paused for a moment, "hurt in any way. I am sure your children know you care and can see the changes you have made in your life. I know my children would appreciate a father who put forth any effort, I am sure yours will see that in time."

Andy drummed his thumbs on the steering wheel and continued to look out the front window. Of course she was right, but it was difficult to know how to respond. The road trip had evolved into something more than two coworkers driving a few hours together. At first thought it was a convenient way to not have to drive alone, but something about the trip was causing him to examine other parts of his life. The holidays can be difficult for a number of people, he was not any different, but it was still upsetting. It was upsetting to know that he had screwed up in the past and that it was not yet enough to earn a spot back at the table in the present. He knew it would take time, he was not going to give up, but it was difficult.

"Maybe someday," he finally replied, "but for now I will do what I can. I will call them in the morning and bring them something special back from the city." He shook off his more upsetting thoughts and turned to face her. He gave her a smile that did not quite reach his eyes, but was an attempt to change the mood. "At least I am able to spend the holiday with my sister."

Sharon smiled in return, "Definitely. We will make it in tonight in plenty of time to have a happy holiday." Andy nodded and turned back to face the road. "What do the two of you have planned? Any Christmas traditions?"

"Well, Liv had said something about visiting the real Santa at Macy's," Andy grinned, "but I hope she was joking. She also said something about ice-skating afterward at the park across the street. I am not so sure about that plan."

She eyed him skeptically, "Me either. You can barely walk on the ice. I am not so sure it is the best idea for you to try skating on it."

"Touché," he smirked. "I am almost positive she was kidding, almost. We are planning on going out in the city though. Liv wants to go to mass and then walk by the shop windows on 5th to see the Christmas displays. I'm sure we will stop by the tree as well."

Sharon smiled, "That sounds lovely. We are going to mass as well. There is a church a few blocks away from her apartment. We haven't really discussed the plans after that, just ideas. Is your sister meeting you?"

"That is what we discussed last night when I called her about the flight. There is a rental car return on 44th, it's not ideal," he shrugged, "but it should be easy enough. There's a subway station right around the corner, or if she meets me there then Rockefeller Center is just a few avenues over. After being cooped up on the plane and now in the car I am looking forward to the walk."

Sharon smiled, "Plus, after all of the snow? It will be so Christmassy. That's one positive for all of this: A white Christmas."

"Christmassy?" Andy grinned at the word usage, the second time she had used it. "There you go again with the holiday spirit. It's kind of an infectious idea though. I am looking forward to it once we get there; making the most of the rest of the holiday."

Sharon nodded but was interrupted by her phone ringing. She leaned forward to dig it out of her purse. When she flipped the screen she smiled and lifted it to her ear, "Hey sweetheart." Andy tilted his head in her direction. She mouthed, Emily, and he retuned his gaze to the road.

"Hi mom," Emily greeted in return. "How is the drive going?"

"It's going," Sharon replied. "I am not too far out at this point, maybe an hour or so to go. The conditions are improving."

On her end of the line Emily smiled, "I am so glad. I was worried when you had to stop off last night. Are you driving right now? I won't keep you, I just wanted to check."

Sharon glanced over at Andy, "Well, no I mean we are driving but I am not." She paused to think of how much to offer. Sharon did not want his partner to start the rumor mill at work, but there was no real need to hide the truth from her daughter. Especially since there was nothing to hide, travel woes aside they would be arriving in the city together in the very near future. "Did I mention someone from work was on the plane? We are driving together."

"Really?" Emily smirked, "I don't think you mentioned that."

"Well," Sharon shifted slightly in her seat, "it was convenient. He is meeting his sister in the city... "

"He?" Emily interrupted

Sharon rolled her eyes and continued speaking without acknowledging the question, "... and he can drop me off with you on the way to the rental return."

"Okay." Her daughter smirked, "I guess you don't want to talk about it right now... but I have some questions."

She pressed her lips together before she hummed, "I'll call you when we are closer. Love you."

"Love you too, be safe." Emily clicked off the call and Sharon returned her phone to her purse.

"So I am going to drop you off at her place?" Andy probed.

Sharon shrugged, "If it isn't too much to ask?"

"I think that can be arranged," he paused and gestured down to her phone. "Would it be possible for me to borrow that to update Liv? My phone is not working at the moment."

She reached for her phone, but stopped as she registered the comment. "Why? What happened to your phone?"

Andy pursed his lips and sighed, "It may be out of commission from that slip on the ice earlier. It is currently drying out beside the air vent in the backseat. It was not sitting in water or anything just the snow. I think the battery may have gotten too cold and needs to be recharged as soon as I get in, hopefully. I wanted to call and give Liv an update so she has a better idea of when to meet me."

Sharon laughed at his phone situation, "That is unfortunate, Mister better traction." She leaned forward to retrieve her phone.

He rolled his eyes, "I'll take the blame for that one, not the first time I have screwed up."

"True," Sharon teased, "and I am sure it will not be the last." She opened up her phone, "Do you want me to dial for you? You probably should still be focused on the road. I am not going to point out the obvious or anything, but an accident-free end to the trip would be ideal."

Andy smiled and gave her the number to dial. She handed him the phone and he tucked it between his ear and his shoulder so that both hands were still free to steer. When his sister's confused voice answered the unknown number Andy smiled, "Hey sis, sorry my phone needs to be charged. I am borrowing Sharon's." He paused as his sister spoke. "Captain Sharon Raydor, from work. We were on the same flight and decided to drive in together," he explained. From her seat Sharon attempted to listen for the other woman's voice, but could only assume what she was saying based on Andy's side of the conversation. "Her daughter lives in the city. I think she said somewhere in the West Village or Chelsea. I'll drop her off and then head to the rental return…" his voice trailed as he listened intently to his sister. "Well, no, they have their own plans." He paused again and glanced over at Sharon. "I guess I can ask. Why don't I give you a call when we are closer? How much of a warning do you need?" Andy returned his eyes to the road, "Okay, I will call you…" He was interrupted again and amended his statement, "If it isn't a safe time to call then she will call you." Sharon smiled at what she assumed was his sister giving him the orders as he ended the call, "Yes, you too."

Andy handed the phone back to Sharon. "Liv says to tell you thank you for letting me borrow your phone, and thank you for putting up with me on the drive. Apparently I am not the best travel companion, especially when I am irritated and stressed."

Sharon smirked, "I think I like your sister. Of course we have both been stressed during this trip. I may not have been happy about the situation, but it has not been too bad. Perhaps slightly awkward and annoying, but I have dealt with your irritation and stress at work in the past. This trip has been a walk in the park in comparison to some of our previous encounters."

"I think I'll take that as a compliment. You have not been too awful to travel with either," Andy flipped on his blinker to follow the signs pointing toward Manhattan. "Like I said, it could have been worse. Either one of us could have been somehow stuck with Provenza in all of this."

She shuttered at the thought before laughing, "I can only imagine. Even though I am reasonably sure he would not have let that happen."

"True, he would have avoided the situation entirely and then more than likely wound up in a ditch." Andy shot her a crooked grin, "At least I recognized the dangers and did not stubbornly trudge ahead."

"Well, you have mellowed over the years," she hummed casually as she faced forward. "Thankfully. I guess everyone does grow up eventually."