"Are you two hungry?" Georgie asked. "There are some snacks in that cooler between your seats. You're welcome to it."

"Oh, I'll last a while longer, I think," I said. "My sister and I ate not too long before you picked us up."

Lorrie's brow furrowed. "I thought you said you didn't have any money," she inquired.

I felt an internal panic for a moment, but quickly recovered and smiled calmly. "Yes, we found this little sushi restaurant and the owner — sweet old lady — took pity on us and gave us a free meal if we did the dishes for an hour." Well, that wasn't a complete lie. Glenne and I did eat at a little Japanese restaurant shortly before we went hitchhiking, but we may or may not have stolen some of the food from the kitchen rather than working for it. Not much! Just enough to get us through the next few hours.

"Oh, I see. But that was over three hours ago," Lorrie said, concern in her voice. "Surely, you're a little snacky."

I looked at Glenne. She looked at the cooler hesitantly for a moment before looking back at me.

"Well," Georgie broke in, "I don't know about you two, but I'm certainly getting hungry. There's a bag of chips in there. Would you mind passing them up?"

I opened the cooler and picked out a bag of Lays Classic chips, immediately noticing the bag that was underneath. Lorrie must've noticed me perk up.

"See something you like?" Lorrie asked.

I turned to her and passed the chips up through the seats. "Oh, I just noticed the Cheezy Dibbles. They happen to be my favorite."

"Go on and take some, then," Georgie insisted.

I smiled and grabbed the bag. "Well, if you insist, I don't mind if I do," I said, opening the bag and eating a few. I held a handful out to Glenne and she looked from me to the snacks. I silently urged her to try it. She made a doubtful face and took a single Dibble from my hand, holding it up to her face and examining it closely, as if it were some kind of foreign object. Then she closed her eyes and slowly bit into it. I watched her carefully as her eyes slowly opened again, lighting up like New York on New Year's Eve when the clock strikes midnight. She looked at me and I smiled, offering her more. She reached in and grabbed a whole handful, her eyes alive with excitement as she picked another and ate it. I chuckled softly as I took a few more for myself.

"So," I started, "you never told me what your kids are like."

Lorrie smiled and held her hand over her mouth as she spoke since she was still chewing on a chip. "Well, our youngest is named Amanda," she started, reaching for her phone on the dashboard. "She works as a music teacher and lives with her husband in Colorado," she said, showing me a picture of a young, short woman with blonde hair and glasses. She pulled the phone back and searched for another photo. "Our second youngest is Tammy. She teaches drama and lives with her husband and three kids in Virginia," she said, showing me a photo of a skinnier blonde on a stage with a group of teenagers.

"Are they all teachers?" I asked curiously.

"No," Lorrie said with a laugh. "Just Tammy and Amanda. Tammy wanted to become one at a young age and Amanda saw her as a role model. Took off from there." She showed me a picture of a woman with brown hair. "This is our third youngest, Taylor. She's a videogame designer and lives with her husband in Southern California." She took the phone back and searched again. "Our fourth youngest is Landon," she said, showing me a photo of a young man with light brown hair. "He's actually Taylor's fraternal twin," she said. "They're very close. He lives with his husband in Hollywood and works as an animation artist at DreamWorks."

"Our fifth youngest is Haley," she said, showing me a photo of yet another brunette woman. "She lives in Ohio and works as a director at the Ohio Theatre." She found the final photo. "And our oldest is Abigail. They help human trafficking victims in Pennsylvania." She showed me a picture of a person wearing a dress with long, brown hair. "They're non-binary. I don't get the whole thing, but nothing will make me stop loving my children. Some parents are weird about that stuff, but not us."

I nodded and smiled at Glenne as she reached for more Dibbles. Good, right? I mouthed to her. She nodded and munched on more of the cheese delights.

"You have a lovely family. So, where are you gonna be headed after the Caverns?" I asked.

"Fort Worth," Georgie replied chipperly.

"I want to see the Botanic Gardens," Lorrie said, "and Georgie wants to see the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History."

"We also thought we'd check out the Fort Worth Zoo," Georgie added. "Our twins, Taylor and Landon, went there once and had good things to say about it."

I tried to hide the bitterness in my reply. "Really?" I replied. "May I ask which exhibit they favored?" I asked, feeling that I'd regret the inquiry.

Lorrie smiled. "They said the penguins are to die for," she answered, just as I'd suspected.

I shoved my tongue into my cheek and stared out the window with an irritated nod. Everywhere I went, I was somehow haunted by penguins. It was as if the world was in some sort of whacked out conspiracy against me. Seriously. If I could just rip the cute from some of these little buzzards, I would. An impossible thought.

"All right, everyone," Georgie said, "we are passing through Deming, now. I'm gonna pull off at this exit so we can grab some gas and stretch our legs."

We passed a sign that said Exit 85 and pulled into the exit ramp, and in less than a minute, we pulled into a gas station called Chevron. Georgie pulled the car next to a pump and cut the engine.

"You all go in the station and see if there's anything you want," he said, undoing his seatbelt. "And get me one of those slushies, will you, hon?" he asked Lorrie.

"Georgie," Lorrie said knowingly, "you'll be needing a restroom within the hour if I get you one of those."

Georgie sighed longingly. "Fine," he said with disappointment. "Just get me a pack of Altoids, I guess."

Lorrie and Georgie climbed out of the car and I gestured for Glenne to follow me out of the passenger side back door. While Lorrie walked toward the station, I gave Glenne a quick assessment to assure she still looked human. She turned to me.

"What?" she whispered.

"Just remember what I said about appearing human," I whispered back. "Come on." I held my arm out and she wrapped hers around mine with a smile, which I returned as we proceeded to follow Lorrie.

Inside the station, some music played softly overhead that sounded as if it belonged in an elevator. There were rows of various snacks and chips and refrigerated options around the walls. There was only one register, where a large dark-skinned man sat, propping his head up with his fist as he fiddled with his smartphone.

"Welcome to Chevron," he muttered indifferently, not even bothering to look up. "Can I help you?"

"No, we're just looking around," Lorrie replied. She turned to us. "I'm gonna go use the ladies' room. You two have a look around and if you see something you like, grab it, and I'll be out in a few minutes to pay for you."

"Oh, I couldn't ask that of you, Lorrie," I said. "You've already done so much for me and my dear sister."

"Nonsense," Lorrie insisted with a dismissive wave of her hand, "you two kids have been through so much. It's time someone showed you some compassion in this cruel world."

"You're too kind, Lorrie," I replied. "My sister and I are so grateful for what you've done for us."

"Think nothing of it," Lorrie said before turning and continuing on to the bathrooms.

I looked at Glenne, who was giving me a weird look. I led her down an aisle away from the cashier.

"What?" I whispered to her.

"You are such a kiss-up," she whispered back.

I smiled. "It works, though, doesn't it?"

Glenne rolled her eyes. "I just don't feel right taking advantage of them like this," she said, folding her arms.

I thought for a moment. "Well, don't consider it 'taking advantage of them.' Consider it more . . . accepting a generous offer from two very kind people."

"Who think we're humans on our way to see our dear parents," Glenne added, rolling her eyes and staring across the aisle.

"Tell me, Glenne, do you have a better idea?" I challenged. "Look at us. We're walking lies, whether we say a word or not. I don't know what you want from me."

Glenne sighed, but didn't respond.

"Glenne," I said, putting a hand on her shoulder, "all we're doing is hitching a ride. They'll get us closer to our destination, and they continue on with their honeymoon. No harm, no foul."

Glenne looked down. Then she took a breath. "I don't know. I guess I just feel bad for lying to them. They're so nice and they believe everything you've said. They just don't seem like they deserve to be manipulated." She looked at me and I sighed.

"Well, think of it this way. No one's getting hurt here. We're not stealing from them, or leading them into some kind of trap, or anything like that. There are no negative side effects for anyone, here," I reasoned.

Glenne thought it over and exhaled. "All right," she said softly. "You got me."

I smiled, but before I could say anything, I felt a presence behind me and turned to see Lorrie headed toward us from the end of the aisle.

"Is everything all right?" Lorrie asked, seeming genuinely concerned.

"Oh, yes," I replied, turning and putting an arm around Glenne's shoulders. "Melissa is just feeling a little homesick is all." Glenne sideways glanced at me before slapping on a smile for Lorrie.

"Oh," Lorrie said pityingly, "well, we'll be back on the road before you know it, hon, and you'll be that much closer." She gave us a sincere smile and started to turn away. "I'm gonna glance around for a few minutes. You two come when you're ready."

I turned back to Glenne as Lorrie walked away and frowned. She seemed to be deep in thought. "What's wrong?"

Glenne looked at me as if momentarily surprised that I took notice of her detachment. Then she turned and focused on a row of snacks on the shelf. "Nothing," she said.

Now, I may not know a lot about women, but I knew a thing or two about hidden feelings. I turned her about the shoulders to face me and tipped her chin.

"Hey," I crooned, "what is it?"

She sighed and looked down. "I just really hope you know what you're doing," she replied. "You really think we'll get to New York?"

"I do," I replied confidently. "You'll see. We'll be in New York faster than I can say 'I told you so.'"

She made a doubtful face. "You sound so sure of yourself. I wish I could be that confident."

I smiled. "Well, that's what friends are for: to provide enough confidence for two when needed."

She returned a small smile. "You certainly are a unique one, aren't you?"

I wrapped an arm around her shoulders again and started leading her back down the aisle. "Glenne, I assure you, you ain't never had a friend like me."

— § —

Back on the road, Lorrie and Georgie engaged in a duet along with The Beatles. Thankfully, they weren't that out of tune. I noticed that Glenne was watching them with an expression I couldn't decipher. It seemed she thought it was sweet, but there also seemed to be something else there. I obviously couldn't talk to her right then, though.

We drove nonstop all the way to Carlsbad, but by then we were losing daylight. Georgie pulled into a place called the Rodeway Inn, where we'd turn in for the night. We all climbed out of the car into the hot, dry air. Georgie took a deep breath through his nose and exhaled with a satisfied sigh.

"Ah, the Land of Enchantment," he said, pulling two suitcases from the trunk. He turned to me. "Mind shutting that for me?"

"Sure," I said, shutting the trunk and following them into the motel. Glenne stayed close to my side.

The woman at the desk had short brown hair, wore a loose white shirt, and was fiddling with her phone. It took her a moment to realize we were coming toward her desk and she laid her phone down, kindly smiling in our direction.

"Evening, folks," she said, a southern quality to her accent. "Welcome to the Rodeway Inn."

"Hey," Georgie replied, setting the bags in front of the desk. "We need two rooms for one night, please."

The woman tapped at a computer for a moment. "Will both rooms have one king bed? Or two queens?" she asked.

Georgie looked at me. "Preference?" he asked.

I shrugged. "No, it doesn't matter."

Georgie turned back to the woman. "The kings, please," he told her.

The woman tapped some more at her computer. "That'll be two hundred dollars, sir," she told them.

I exchanged a wide-eyed look with Glenne. Even though she wasn't that familiar with currency, she knew two hundred was definitely a lot, and half of that was spent on us. I actually felt a guilty pang in my stomach myself as Georgie handed his debit card over to her. After he paid and we were given our room keys, we headed back outside and started to ascend the steps.

"You two are quiet," Lorrie observed as we made our way to our rooms.

Glenne and I exchanged another glance.

"It's just that —" I started, not meeting either of their gazes. "That was a lot of money to spend on us. You two really shouldn't have done that. We could've managed somewhere else."

"And where would that be?" Lorrie challenged. "Out on the street? I don't think so, chérie. Trust us. We've been saving for this trip for a long time. We'll barely notice that it's gone."

I saw Glenne cringe and pretended not to notice. This wasn't the place to discuss it.

"Well," Georgie said as he stopped by his room, "we'll get settled and then we'll go find something to eat for supper. Will half an hour be okay with you two?"

I nodded. "That sounds just fine, Georgie," I replied with a smile. "We'll see you downstairs then."

Georgie and Lorrie nodded and went into their room and Glenne and I continued to ours a few doors down. When I opened the door, Glenne pushed past me and went into the bathroom, closing the door behind her and locking it.

"Glenne," I called, coming to the door. "Why'd you do that?"

"Because if I don't keep a barrier between us, I may kill you," she answered through the door.

I rolled my eyes. "Glenne, do you really have a better idea? Because I'm totally open to suggestions."

Glenne sighed heavily. "There has to be something else we can do to get to New York that doesn't involve ripping off two caring people that don't know any better."

"There is," I replied. "The only problem is that our other options require money, which we're just a tad bit short on."

Glenne didn't reply. I exhaled and pressed my palms to the door, and then I rested my forehead against it.

"Glenne, please open the door," I said softly.

"No," she snapped without hesitation.

I closed my eyes. "Come on, Glenne. The Crawfords will be expecting us in half an hour."

"Then I'll come out in half an hour," she persisted.

I grunted in frustration. "Fine," I said, pushing away from the door and going to the bed. "Stay in there. I've had enough of you and your emotional constipation." I flopped down on the bed and laid back, resting my arm over my eyes. "You wouldn't be the first one to shut me out."

There was silence for a few minutes before I heard the bathroom door softly click open. I peeked under my arm and watched Glenne slug to my side and sit next to me, her arms folded over her chest. I sat up and looked at the floor. We sat in strained silence like that for several minutes before I finally broke it.

"I guess you think I'm a terrible person, then," I deduced, fiddling with my fingers. "You think I'm a monster, just like everyone else."

I felt Glenne staring at me, but I couldn't bring myself to eye contact. Then she took my hand in hers.

"No," she said softly. "I don't think you're a monster. I could never think that."

I didn't reply.

"Hey," she said, reaching up with her free hand and taking my cheek to turn my head toward her, forcing me into eye contact. "I'm sorry. I know you're just trying to get home to your boys. I just . . . have a guilty conscience."

We held eye contact for what seemed like a long time. I gripped her hand a little tighter.

"I'm sorry too," I replied finally. "I promise I'll find better ways to get to New York from now on. Ways that don't involve manipulating unsuspecting people out of their money. As soon as we part ways with the Crawfords. Okay?"

Glenne smiled softly. "That sounds perfect."

I smiled back and Glenne reached up and wrapped her arms around my neck. I returned the gesture. Suddenly, if only for a moment, I felt like more than the cold-blooded creature everyone thought I was. I felt a . . . warmth. Making Glenne happy made me happy.

I promised myself at that moment that I would make her happy every chance I got.

— § —

A little bit later, we walked downstairs to see Lorrie and Georgie waiting for us at the base of the stairs.

"Hey, kids," Georgie said with a smile. "We thought we'd go to that restaurant down the street for eats. Velvet Garter according to Google."

I smiled. "That sounds nice, Georgie, but if it's all the same to you, I was hoping to just have some alone time with my sister. Would that be okay?"

Georgie shrugged indifferently. "No, we don't mind at all. But aren't you two hungry? Surely, you must be a bit peckish after such a long drive," he said.

"We'll just snack on something later," I assured them. "We're really not that hungry."

"Oh," Lorrie said, "well, we'll give you a little money just in case you change your mind. Will twenty dollars be enough?"

I shook my head. "That isn't necess —"

Before I could finish, Lorrie pulled a twenty out of her bag and forced it in my palm.

"I insist," she said. "Didn't your mother ever teach you not to argue with your elders?" she added with a wink.

I smiled. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you. We'll see you in the morning, if not again before we turn in," I told her.

Lorrie and Georgie smiled back.

"You two kids have a nice night," Georgie said before he put his arm around Lorrie and started through the parking lot.

There was a moment of silence before Glenne spoke up. "So . . . what are we doing?" she asked.

I looked at her. "I thought we'd just . . . spend some time together," I suggested. "You know, if that's okay with you."

Glenne smiled back. "Absolutely."

I took her to the gas station down the street — White's City Shell — where we bought some Cheezy Dibbles. Then we sat on the bench in front of the station as we munched on them.

"So, why didn't you want to go to the restaurant with Lorrie and Georgie?" Glenne asked, side eyeing me while eating a Dibble.

"Well . . ." I thought for a moment, trying to find an excuse that could pass as legit. "I just have a feeling that the restaurant doesn't have seafood. Probably just chicken, beef, vegetables, and a bunch of other stuff not in our diet."

Glenne held up a Dibble. "I see. I guess it's a good thing we knew exactly where to find these." She looked at me with an unconvinced look. "These Dibbles. Which are totally in our diet."

"Touché," I said, nodding slowly. "I guess, admittedly, I . . . really did want a little time alone with you."

We held eye contact for a few moments before I looked down into the bag of Dibbles.

"You know, just to . . . hang out. I thought you might enjoy some . . . you know, time away from the humans. No lies, no sneaking around. I thought it might be . . . nice. You know, unless you . . . want to be alone. I can go if you want —"

Glenne started laughing and I looked over at her.

"What?" I asked, but she just started laughing harder, putting a hand over her mouth. "What's so funny?" I asked again, unable to contain my own laughter.

"You!" she said between laughs.

"Me? What about me?" I asked, folding my arms.

Glenne just shook her head as she composed herself. Then she made eye contact again. The moon had started its ascent into the sky at this point, so it illuminated the area around us in a soft white glow. The marquee above us had some lighting, but it was very dim and yellow, obviously old. But, honestly, I didn't think much on that. I had my mind on . . . other things. Mind your business, human.

Before the moment could get too intense, the cashier from inside the station stepped out. "Hey," he snapped, "don't you two see the sign?" he said, pointing to a sign above our heads. "No loitering. Now beat it before I call the sheriff."

"I apologize," I said, getting to my feet. "We'll go."

The cashier went back inside as I helped Glenne to her feet. Then we headed back to the hotel.

"Dave," Glenne said after a couple minutes, looking down at the ground.

"Yeah?" I answered.

"I was just wondering . . . what are you expecting? You know, when we get to New York?" she asked, not making eye contact.

I thought for a moment. "I'm not sure. I know I want to tell the penguins that I'm sorry. I want to try and make up with them. I want . . . to be a family again," I answered finally.

Glenne was silent for a moment. "What if . . . they don't want to make up?" she asked hesitantly, watching me from the corner of her eye.

I suddenly felt defensive. "Why wouldn't they?" I asked, looking over at her.

"I don't know," she answered quickly. "I was just wondering what you would do."

I shoved my thumbs into my pockets, feeling a bit irritated, and studied the ground. "I don't know. But I'm not going to find out because this is going to work," I insisted.

Glenne became quiet. I looked at her again.

"Do you think I'm not worthy of forgiveness?" I asked.

"No!" Glenne replied quickly, turning to me. "I mean, no. I just . . . wanted to know."

"Why do you want to know?" I persisted.

"Why can't I just ask a simple question?" Glenne shot back.

I grabbed her arm and stopped, forcing her into eye contact. "Just tell me," I said, emphasizing each syllable.

She held eye contact for a moment before sighing and looking away. "I just . . . I'm . . . I'm afraid," she admitted quietly.

I pinched my brow in confusion. "Afraid? Afraid of what?" I asked, softening.

She looked back up at me and hesitated.

She sighed again and I released her arm as she looked at me. "I'm afraid of . . ." Her voice trailed and she exhaled. "Back in London, I was alone for so long. Then you show up and . . . I finally have someone to talk to. Someone I can . . . confide in. If we get to New York and you make up with your penguins . . . I'm afraid we'll grow apart. That — they'll mean more to you than I do. I'll fade into the background. Then I'll be all alone again."

She looked down again. I searched for a response. I was starting to feel like she'd been holding this back for a while. I braced one hand on her shoulder and I held her cheek with the other, pulling her into eye contact.

"Glenne," I started, "I promise you, I'm not going to leave you alone. When I make up with the penguins, I want us all to be like a family. That's . . . okay with you, right?"

Glenne gently pushed my hand away and turned away from me. "I don't know if it will be that easy, Dave," she said doubtfully, looking at the ground.

I didn't understand. "Glenne, why are you acting like this? Where is this coming from?"

Glenne turned to me and looked me dead in the eye. "You've been separated from them for how long, Dave? Do you really think that not only will you just go and 'make up' with them, but also that we'll automatically be one big, happy family? Forgive me for finding that a bit hard to believe. I'm not saying we can't be, but you have to use some logic here, Dave. I just don't think it's going to be as nice and quick as you want it to be." She folded her arms.

I searched the ground for a response. Honestly, I had no idea what to say. Deep down, I knew she had a valid point, but I couldn't admit that to myself at the time. I looked back at her.

"Look, I don't know what to expect. All I know is that I want to get back to my penguins. I have to try. I can't just give up on them, Glenne. Can't you understand that?" I asked, trying to maintain eye contact.

"I do understand, Dave," she replied. "I've always understood. Tell me, Dave, if you have to choose between us, who's going to lose?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out. I just couldn't come to make myself believe that it would come down to that.

"That's not going to happen," I said finally.

"Well, if you did have to choose, who would it be?" Glenne pressed.

I shook my head. "Both! I choose both!" I asserted, standing my ground.

"But if you had to, who would it be?!" Glenne shouted back.

I looked at her, unspeaking. I wanted to say her, but I wanted to say the penguins. I just felt like I couldn't have one without the other. I wanted both. I couldn't live without one or the other.

"That's what I thought," Glenne said before she turned and went inside the motel. I stood out there on the sidewalk like an idiot.

Go after her! one part of me said.

But she's just going to yell at me some more, another part of me replied.

Don't be a coward. Go after her now.

I made my decision and followed her, climbing the flight of stairs and pushing inside the motel room, where Glenne was sitting on the end of the bed, staring at the floor. I closed the door behind me, went over to the bed, and sat down beside her. After a long period of silence, I finally spoke up.

"I don't know what's going to happen, Glenne," I said quietly. "But I will promise you this. No matter what, I am not going to let you be alone ever again."

Glenne finally looked over at me. Without responding, she rested her head on my shoulder and I wrapped my arms around her. After several minutes, I spoke up again.

"When we were driving on the interstate and Georgie and Lorrie were singing together, you were looking at them strangely. What were you thinking about?" I asked curiously.

Glenne was silent for a moment. "I was just thinking . . . They're really in love, aren't they?"

I smiled softly. "Yeah, I think so. Why?"

"I just . . . thought it was sweet," Glenne replied.

I sensed that she was still holding back, but it seemed to me that this was something I wouldn't get her to confess. I decided to respect her feelings.

"Me too," I replied.

We were silent after that, and we eventually drifted off to sleep as more risky promises loomed over my head.

— § —

Note: The quotes in this chapter were: "You ain't never had a friend like me," spoken by the Genie (portrayed by Robin Williams) in Aladdin (1992) and "I've had enough of you and your emotional constipation," spoken by Terk (portrayed by Rosie O'Donnell) in Tarzan (1999). Dave's comment about the world having a whacked out conspiracy against him was a reference to a line spoken by Skipper (portrayed by Tom McGrath) in Madagascar (2005).

Next chapter will be posted on August 29th, 2023.