An Ounce of Prevention

"I just wanted to make sure that problem this morning was resolved to the customer's satisfaction."

Carmen nodded, carefully avoiding the subject. "Where are Jonathan and Matthew?"

"They should be back any minute now. They went for a walk."

Jonathan was certainly responsible enough to take care of Matthew, but he shouldn't have to. Alex was making time for the clinic at the expense of his sons. If he wanted to call, he could have done it while they were in the van, instead of sleeping - but then, he would have had to do it in her presence. That part was annoying. Then again, if he was actually trying to hide his phone call, he could have made it inside the men's restroom. If she made an issue of it, next time he might.

She said nothing more about it. She went to the back of the van and opened the door, getting some fruit and flavored water out of the cooler. She offered some to Alex and the girls.

Alex grabbed an apple. "I'd better see what's keeping the boys." He took off at a brisk walk.

Alex returned in a few minutes with Jonathan at his side and a giggling Matthew hanging over his shoulder. They all got into the van and continued their journey.

As they approached Edmond, a huge cross grew from the horizon. The children were exclaiming over it when Alex told them it wasn't as big as the one in Groom, Texas.

Carmen looked at Alex. "Everything is bigger in Texas?"

He shrugged. "I have no idea, but the cross is."

"Tired?"

He nodded. "I'm ready to call it quits for the day. He studied the map. It looks like Clinton is big enough to have some decent hotels. Let's stop there."

It was nice to have him involved, even if it was to stop progress. They had to stop sooner or later, and if he was that tired, it was time to stop. Arizona wasn't going anywhere.

They found a nice hotel in Clinton and got two rooms, side-by-side. Jonathan got to have his own room, but was instructed not to leave it except to come to their room. The younger children stayed in the room with Carmen and Alex, sleeping on one of two queen beds. It would be the first time any of them had slept in the same room with their parents.

Once they had all their things in the room, they went out for supper. Alex drove the van and selected the restaurant. He seemed to be in a better mood now that they had stopped for the night. Maybe he simply didn't like traveling by vehicle. Some people didn't. Next time they would travel by air to their destination and then rent a vehicle.