I'm not looking forward to this trip.
Rachel is deathly afraid of flying. Several years ago, before we were married, she was on a plane that crashed. Several people died. Though she escaped without a scratch she still gets the shakes if she drive within a mile of LAX. We have to go to a wedding in Denver. We live in LA. You guessed it - road trip.
At first I thought driving there would be therapeutic. Our busy two career schedule is playing hell with our "quality time." We never see each other, bicker often, and when we have sex - it's by the numbers. We need some time alone to reconnect. And everyone knows anonymous hotel rooms sometimes rekindle dormant lustful instincts.
The night before we're leaving, lying in bed, bags packed, my wife drops an unpleasant surprise on me.
"Alex, my friend Celeste was wondering if we could take her younger brother and his girlfriend with us to Denver."
"What?' I exclaim, "Drag two kids across the Rockies?"
"Tim's girlfriend doesn't like to fly either. They're both are attending college out there so I thought..."
"Don't they have a car?' I ask hopefully.
"It broke down."
"Well, Celeste's loaded. Why doesn't she buy him one?" I ask.
"Alex you're always saying rich children should find their own way in the world," Rachel counters sarcastically.
It's true. My Dad's extremely wealthy. But I didn't sit by the pool and become a dissolute playboy. I went to Cupertino and with a hundred bucks in my pocket and a beat up piece of shit for a car. I bussed tables, cleaned toilets, and repossessed cars while waiting for my chance at Apple Computers. I hit it big working on the Ipod development team; took my fat bonus and founded my own software company in Burbank. Graphics stuff for the film guys. Now I employ 200 people. I never took a dime from my Dad and neither did he. I have no respect for indolent slackers.
"I hope Tim and his girl aren't those nose ringed tattooed freak types," I mutter.
"Alex that's half your workforce."
"Yeah, but I can fire those people." "Don't be an asshole," Rachel says turning over and turning of the light, "I already said yes."
"Just great," I moan.
A few minutes of silence pass.
"What time do we have to pick them up?" I ask.
"Eight," Rachel murmurs sleepily.
"Ok, we'll take 'em."
"That's nice," Rachel yawns.
"Any chance my largesse earns me a blowjob?" I ask hopefully.
"Don't be stupid Alex," Rachel huffs.
Guess not.
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The next morning we drive to Celeste's house to pick up the "kids." Celeste, ever the homebody, put together an extensive care package for us; snacks, fruit, bottled water and juices. I peek in the basket hoping to find some bourbon. No luck.
"We'll here they are," Celeste announces.
Sleepy and holding their duffel bags the kids amble downstairs. I'm surprised. The last time I saw Tim he was seventeen. Now he was my height and filled out nicely. I think he plays Lacrosse or something.
"Hi Alex," Tim mumbles.
"Hi Tim," I say offering my hand, "Long time no see."
"Thanks for giving me and Jenna a lift."
"No problem. Sucks about your car," I say.
"Yeah it blows."
A young blonde woman peeks out from behind him. My eyes widen a bit. Short, blonde, curvy and cute, with a gymnast's body, Tim's girlfriend is every frat boys dream.
"Hi, I'm Alex," I say offering my hand.
"Jenna, nice to meet you,' she replies politely.
"Well I hope you like driving," I say.
"Not really, but I hate flying."
"Why?"
"I don't know why. I just get really nervous around planes. Especially after 9/11."
"Ahhhhh," I mouth sympathetically.
"Sorry if we're crowding you," Jenna offers.
"Don't be ridiculous Jenna," Rachel says announcing her presence.
Introductions made Rachel moves over to Tim. She gives him a big hug.
"Hi Rachel," Tim mumbles awkwardly.
Tousling his hair Rachel laughs and says," Hey there Timmy."
"It's Tim now Rachel," he says blushing.
"But of course it is."
Tim turns away to get his bags. I notice Rachel's eyes quickly flicker over his body. He's a handsome kid. Hmmm. Maybe she likes him just a bit?
"Ok let's go," I say with a start, "I want to make the hotel by 9:00.''
We pile into the car and hit the open road.
The kids turned out to be better traveling companions that I expected. Tim zoned out with his Ipod while Jenna promptly fell asleep. Neither of them regained anything resembling consciousness until we slipped into Nevada.
"Hey guys, are you going to sleep the whole way there?" I ask.
"Maybe," Tim says stretching his arms.
Jenna lifts herself upright and starts to fix her hair. I sneak a peek at her in the rearview mirror. God she's cute.
She catches me looking and gives me a playful smirk. I quickly look away.
"When are we gonna reach the hotel?" Jenna asks leaning forward into the driver area.
"Soon, maybe half an hour," I say.
"Does this place have a pool?" she asks.
"I think so."
"Good I need to swim."
"You're a swimmer?" I ask.