“Where does the map to say to turn off?”
Henry wanted to turn and give Alice his ‘direct look’, the one that said ‘you have responsibilities here, too;’ however, he daren’t take his eyes off the road. The snow was falling fast in thick flakes such that he could barely see three feet in front of the car.
“You’re keeping watch for the road signs, right? I daren’t look myself for fear that someone stops suddenly in front of us and I miss it.”
Henry pumped the brakes on the Corvair as taillights suddenly flashed ahead.
“Like that,” Henry gripped the steering wheel even tighter.
Next to him, Alice had finished folding the map to the section she needed. On her knee were the directions she wrote down when Mary extended the invitation. She rotated the map until the road they were traveling faced up. It was easier to calculate rights and lefts that way. Looking up from the map she peered out the windshield trying to catch a glimpse of a landmark or a sign. The snowstorm appeared suddenly as they crossed over the top of the mountain and it seemed that they were heading deeper in rather than escaping the weather. She placed a finger on the map at the last town she remembered passing.
“I think you need to turn into the next gas station or restaurant,” Alice admonished. She glimpsed a flash of color ahead, “there,” she pointed, “turn right. Let’s get off the road.”
Henry steered into the parking lot of a motel/restaurant. Open 24 Hours, flashed the sign.
“Henry,” Alice leaned across the seat and placed her hand on Henry’s arm, “let’s get dinner and spend the night. I’m sure Mary will understand. We can give her a call and let her know we’ve been delayed by the weather.”
Henry slowly nodded, his tensed shoulders relaxing down. Later, as they sat in the small, dimly lit restaurant decorated overwhelmingly in reds and golds, he gazed at Alice across the table over a buffet of unfamiliar Indian food. His heart clenched with love and awe at this remarkable, and sensible woman, who made spontaneity seem practical. His hand reached for hers, he smiled.
“Thank you,” he said, with all the love in his heart. Joy in her eyes, Alice squeezed Henry’s hand and smiled back.