Chapter Two
Jessica folded a pillow in half and snuggled into it. Looking at the clock she saw it was nearly eleven o'clock.
Bang, bang, bang
What the heck? thought Jessica. There was a rhythmic banging on the wall from the other side. It was followed by the occasional squeak. It took a minute or so but she realized the occupants of the room next door were obviously engaged in an activity she could have done without hearing.
Bang, bang, bang
How much longer could it go on? Jessica would have been embarrassed but no one could see her blush and she was turned away from Seth, who she hoped was asleep but doubted he was able to fall asleep so quickly.
Bang, bang, bang
She debated getting up and getting her ear plugs but surely they were almost finished. Jessica smiled thinking about how long she and Frank had taken on occasion. She usually didn't think about sex with Frank any longer. She tended to remember how she felt with his arms wrapped around her or his good morning kiss but the memories of actual acts of sex she had buried deep. It always made her feel such a sense of loss that she couldn't bear it but now she remembered. The way he lovingly touched her, the way he would promise a quickie but it really meant, something fast, and then something slow. Her body started to tingle as she remembered some of the things Frank would do and she nearly groaned out loud.
Bang, bang, bang
She knew it was irrational but now she was getting angry. Two people having sex who probably didn't appreciate how lucky they were and they were keeping her awake. She slipped out of bed and went to her overnight bag to get the ear plugs. The light went on.
She turned back to look at Seth. He appeared embarrassed by the noise from next door. "I'm just getting my ear plugs, Seth."
She returned to bed.
"Do you have another pair?"
"Sorry, but at tomorrow's stop, maybe there's a shop. It won't help you tonight though."
She inserted the plugs and although the sound was dampened, it wasn't eliminated. Groaning, she put the pillow over her head and tried to ignore the banging against her wall.
Bang, bang, bang
The alarm woke her up and she was tempted to just hit the snooze button but she got up, quickly showered and dressed so Seth could have a chance.
"Seth, if you want to get breakfast before we leave, you have to get up now."
Seth sat up in bed and yawned. "I didn't get much sleep last night, Jess. It was obviously a young couple. They just kept going and going and…"
"You don't have to explain further. We can nap on the bus, Seth. I'll meet you in the breakfast hall." She left the room to give him privacy and ventured outside. The lobby was empty but she heard murmuring from the room off the lobby.
Two hotel employees and what appeared to be a bus driver, given his uniform, were sitting at a table drinking coffee.
"Good morning," she called to them as they greeted her. She opted for scrambled eggs, bacon, and a croissant. Happy that tea was an option she took enough for two cups of tea and sat down. Seth joined her shortly and piled his plate.
"Seth!" she exclaimed when she saw his plate.
"It isn't free, Jess. It's included in the cost of the room. I'm just getting my money's worth."
Jessica finished first since she didn't go back for seconds or thirds and she returned to the room to pack and make sure she didn't leave anything behind. It looked like it was going to be a hot day so she made sure to put on sunscreen.
She was able to speak with the driver about getting her own room and he promised to call ahead and try but warned her there usually weren't many vacancies during summer and if there was a vacancy it might cost her more. She assured him the amount did not matter.
They rolled out of the parking lot at exactly 8 AM. Many of the passengers looked as though they had woken up, dressed, and boarded in the last fifteen minutes. Jessica wondered if they found it hard to sleep as well. She was unable to stop yawning periodically.
Several passengers vacated the bus that morning to be replaced by others. Unfortunately the bus was full and noisy. She had given Seth first choice at the window so he slept all morning while she tried but failed. The passengers walking the aisles disturbed her rest so she attempted reading but lacked concentration because she was sleepy.
Right after their lunch stop, everyone seemed content to nap or read so it was quiet. Jessica was by the window now and she covered herself with her blanket and decided a nap was just what she needed. Her head had started throbbing and the best way to get rid of a headache like hers was a nap.
"Jess, wake up," Seth shook her shoulder to get her attention.
"Seth, I haven't fallen asleep yet. What is it?"
"You're missing some beautiful country. Don't waste it sleeping away."
"Seth, it's the same beautiful country that you slept through this morning, so please let me sleep." She frowned as she closed her eyes.
"I just wanted to point out the beauty of the landscape," he muttered loud enough for her to hear. "I personally chose this route because of the scenic beauty."
Jessica ignored him while she tried to sleep. Tap, tap, tap
She opened one eye and stared at Seth.
"Don't get testy, I was just wondering if you saw my snacks?"
"The snacks you ate yesterday? The ones you finished before dinner last night?"
"Oh, I thought I saved something for today."
"You didn't," responded Jessica. She closed her eyes again. She was irritable from a lack of sleep and Seth was annoying her.
Tap, tap, tap
Jessica gritted her teeth and ignored it.
Tap, tap, tap
"For the love of peace, Seth. What is it?"
"I was just going to ask if you've seen my puzzle book?"
Jessica took a deep breath. "The last time I saw it, you were putting it on the air conditioner next to the window at the motel last night." She closed her eyes.
"Well for goodness sake, I think it's still there. I hope I can buy another one today, along with ear plugs but those might not be necessary. A puzzle book is though or at least a word search book. At this point I'd accept a dot to dot book. I used to love those when I was young. Did you ever have those, Jess? Jess?"
Jessica ignored him until…
Tap, tap, tap
And she lost her temper. "Seth, I am trying to sleep. I gave you the courtesy of not interrupting you for three hours so you could nap this morning. Could you give me an hour? Don't touch me or speak to me for an hour, please," she said through gritted teeth.
Seth stared at her. Jess seemed upset about something. Her eyes were closed and her blanket covered most of her face. That would be uncomfortable as it got hotter outside. He was going to point it out but remembered she didn't want to be disturbed. Since he didn't have his puzzle book, maybe she wouldn't mind if he read one of her books.
He reached up top to unzip her overnight bag just as the bus drove over a bump in the road. The bag tumbled down and landed on Jessica's shoulder.
"Ouch," she cried.
"Sorry Jess, just looking for one of your books." he apologized.
She took her bag and slid it under the seat in front of her and pulled her extra book out of her seat pocket and gave it to him.
"Oh, you kept it there," he said. She didn't respond and closed her eyes.
"Before you fall asleep, Jess, do you think…"
"No! I don't think! And you obviously don't think! Leave me alone, Seth Hazlitt!" She pulled the blanket over her head and took a deep breath. She immediately felt awful for raising her voice to him but she was so tired.
There was blessed silence for half an hour and Jessica started to drift off to sleep when the bus drove into a parking spot at a rest area. Since she knew not to use the facilities on the bus, she would have to disembark and go into the restrooms at the rest area. Seth had already gotten up and left so she rose and stretched. The driver told her it was a twenty minute stop so she took a brisk ten minute walk before using the facilities and getting back on the bus. The driver made the announcement to board and Seth entered with his hands full of snacks from the vending machine. Neither spoke to the other.
Jessica tried to sleep again but finally gave up an hour later. She pulled out her book and started reading. Once again the passengers opted to sleep or read.
It was a long travel day, fourteen hours so it was a relief to pull into the restaurant for dinner. They would only have three hours of travel after dinner.