The Road Trip
Seated in Joe's vehicle ready to depart the Post Office, Shane stuck her head though from the back seat and exclaimed, 'Music! We need music. Joe, I have shared a playlist with you, it's called 'Springtime in the Rockies Except it is Almost Summer'.
'Catchy title, ' Joe remarked, opening the music app and checking he had it. Connecting his phone to car play mode, he hit play.
As they climbed through the hills towards Golden Canyon State Park, they were treated to a tapestry of musical styles. 'Life is a Highway', led to 'Springtime in the Rockies' (of course), 'then 'Sweet Baby James', 'On the Road Again', 'Take Me Home Country Roads', 'One Head Light', 'Rocky Mountain High', 'Go Your Own Way', 'Bright Side of the Road', 'Drive' 'Here I Go Again', 'Don't Fence Me In and 'River of Dreams'. Oliver was pretty happy that he could recognize some of them, one of them almost making it into the current century.
Setting Up Camp
Many songs, laughter and snacks later, the trio made it to their campsite. Under Joe's very patient tutelage, both tents were erected, a fire lit and dinner eaten. Shane and Oliver snuggled near the fire, content to watch the flames and listen to Joe meander from one song to another on his guitar. The start to this trip had been perfect. After a walk to the amenities for nightly ablutions, Shane decided to call it a night, leaving Joe and Oliver to do a little bonding without her. (She also had to check that all safety equipment was fully functional and charged.)
The First Night for the Happy Campers
Shane snuggled into the sleeping bag. Even though it was spring, the night was a little chilly. She could hear Oliver outside the tent, wishing Joe goodnight. Shane smiled as she listened to father and son, delighting in their close relationship. Neither were shy about expressing their feelings for the other, and it always made her heart glad to hear it.
She felt the change in temperature as Oliver unzipped the tent, and she pulled the sleeping bag over her head to keep out the chill. Oliver readied himself for sleep, and then crawled into the space beside Shane. She made a face as he lifted a corner of the sleeping bag, lowering the temperature of her cocoon. Oliver was her favourite hot water bottle substitute, and she moved closer, her back to his front. Oliver pulled Shane closer and wrapped her is his embrace.
Shane giggled as Oliver kissed her neck. There was definitely more stubble than she was used to, but she wasn't complaining – far from it. She was, however, a little self-conscious about canoodling so close to her father-in-law.
'Oliver,' Shane exclaimed in a furious whisper, 'What are you doing?'
'Um, kissing my wife goodnight,' he replied, puzzled at her reaction.
'Well stop it!' Shane's whisper was even more emphatic.
'Are you not well? Do you need something?' Oliver reached for a torch, about to turn it on.
'Do not turn that on!' Shane whisper-shouted.
'Sorry, do you have a headache? '
'No, I do not have a headache! And keep your voice down!'
Oliver was now thoroughly confused. He was fairly certain he was making less noise than Shane, and he still had no idea what was going on with her. He decided that this conversation was going nowhere, and more direct enquiries were needed.
'Shane, do you want to let me know what is going on?' Oliver was obviously confused. 'Have I done something? Are you okay?'
'Oliver! Your dad is just out there! What on earth do you think you are doing?'
Oliver leaned closer. 'And what exactly did you think I was planning? I am aware that we are in a tent a few feet from Dad. I wasn't planning on anything more than a kiss goodnight!'
'Well,' Shane began, 'Good.'
Silence lasted for a few seconds. Both quietly plotted how best to annoy the other. Shane was ready to remove her socks and treat her husband to her cold feet when she was beaten to the punch.
'Dad!' Oliver suddenly called, 'Shane is being mean to me!'
'What, are you, twelve?' was his doting wife's reply.
Joe had pretty much heard everything, and he was having trouble containing his amusement. Apparently, Shane and Oliver were finding it hard to contain theirs too, as muffled giggles could be heard from their tent.
'You two, cut it out!' Joe called. 'If you can't behave, I will be forced to separate you.'
'Not likely,' was his loving son's whispered reply.
More giggles could be heard.
'Goodnight Joe,' Shane called.
'Goodnight Elizabeth.' Joe laughed.
'Goodnight Dad, Goodnight Mary-Ellen,' Oliver laughed.
'Oliver! Did you just make an albeit at least forty-year-old pop-culture reference? Who are you, and what have you done with my husband?'
'It's your terrible influence. Go to sleep.'
Silence.
'And don't poke your tongue at me in the dark.'
'And keep your socks on.'
