An Ounce of Prevention

In full view of the interstate, they stopped at a combination gas station, restaurant and gift shop. The food was good and Carmen suggested they look in the gift shop while they stretched their legs a little. Alex wasn't interested in the gift shop, so he went to the van while Carmen and the children looked. It wasn't as much fun without him, especially knowing that he wasn't enjoying himself, so they left the gift shop and took off again.

There was no place to get lost, hence no need for a navigator. The country was scenic only in the fact that she had never seen so much flat land. As far as the eye could see, there were fields of some sort of agriculture.

Alex leaned his seat back and closed his eyes. He'd done a lot of traveling as a salesman before they were married. She had always thought it was on an airplane, but maybe not. In any case, he was obviously not interested in anything out there now. Hopefully he would find some interest when they got to Arizona. On the other hand, he was relaxing. Wasn't that what she wanted him to do?

When a sign indicated a rest station ahead, she decided it would be the perfect opportunity for them to stretch their legs as well as relieve themselves.

Alex woke when the van stopped and he looked at her. "Why are we stopping here?"

"Potty and exercise."

He glanced around. "I thought everyone went potty when we stopped to eat."

Carmen nodded. "Well, time passes fast when you're sleeping. That was a couple hours ago."

Alex climbed out of the van and looked around. "It looks exactly like where we stopped last time."

Jonathan gave Carmen a knowing smile. "Except there is no place to eat." He noticed that Alex was a captive on a trip he wasn't enjoying.

Alex glanced at him and smiled. "Are you hungry again?"

Jonathan shook his head. "No. I was only pointing out the difference."

Destiny helped Matthew down the steps out of the van and turned to help Natalie while Matthew darted at Alex. Alex lifted him into his arms and tossed him into the air.

Matthew screamed his delight. "Do it again, Daddy!"

Natalie ran to Alex. "Me next."

Carmen lifted Natalie into her arms. "You come with Destiny and me." She pulled the van door shut and locked it. "First let's go potty and then we'll take a walk. When we get back, we'll all have a snack."

When Carmen and the girls returned from their walk, Alex was standing beside the van, talking on his phone. It quickly became apparent that he was talking to the clinic. He glanced up and, seeing Carmen, concluded the phone call. His expression was a little guilty as he addressed Carmen.