One Stupid Thing

2:8:69

"Guys, we're coming up on Freedman's Church," Pope announces like a tour guide. "The church Denmark built for all the slaves he freed."

The Twinkie jostles around on the uneven terrain we have been driving on. It feels like we are out in the middle of nowhere searching for this so-called "Angel Oak."

"There it is, Angel Oak." Kiara points out the windshield, and just visible above the weeds ahead is the top of the tree. John B slows the van as the dirt road grows more abandoned and wild the deeper we travel into the marsh.

"Oh, shit! Tide's coming in," John B groans. I sit up in my seat in the back of the van to try and see the road ahead, but with Pope and JJ also sticking their heads up to get a look I can't see shit. "Um..."

"Hey, wait a second. Look," Pope says. "They already came through here. Those have to be Limbrey's tire tracks. Guys, we gotta go."

JJ sticks his head out of the open passenger window and tuts. "Mmm, what do you think, chief?" he asks, turning to John B.

"I'm thinking it's looking a little dicey."

"Yeah, I'm gonna have to agree with that statement."

"Okay, clearly, they made it. No?" Kiara points out.

"In a two-wheel drive? I don't know about that," JJ replies.

"Why are ya'll acting like you're not gonna do it anyways?" my sister chimes in. "Like when have ya'll ever done the safe thing?"

John B shares a look with his passenger. "She's got a point."

"Speed is your friend here, okay?" JJ explains. "So, put her down in second and hammer down, brother." I frantically grab onto JJ's seat in front of me and brace myself in case anything goes wrong.

"Stick to the high ground in the middle, John B," Pope tells him.

"All right, ready? Here we go." John B puts the pedal to the metal and the van engine revs, miraculously gaining traction on the muddy ground and lurching forward.

"Come on, bro. Punch it. Speed is your friend. You're not going fast enough," JJ reprimands him.

"I'm in second," John B replies through his teeth.

"It's gonna slide," Kiara pipes up.

"You're fishtailing already." JJ grabs ahold of the handle on his door.

"Yeah, I know!"

"Not to put any more pressure on you," Pope starts, sticking his head through the center console to further make his point. "But if you don't make it through, we'll be stuck here forever."

John B reaches back and pushes him back into his seat. "Put your head back, okay?"

"John B, both hands on the wheel!" I scold, only slightly panicking that this dingy van won't be able to make it through the mud.

"Okay, okay!" The van skids when we hit drier soil on the other side. We all cheer in relief. "I told you we'd make it."

"That's my girl," JJ celebrates, patting the dashboard with pride. "All right, right here. That's good. Angel Oak is right through here."

John B puts the Twinkie in park and JJ hops out quickly in order to open the back door and let the rest of us out. "All right, so word to the wise, definitely know that gators nest back here, so keep your eyes peeled, okay?" JJ informs us. "You don't wanna step on a mama gator. That's the last thing you wanna have happen."

"That's just perfect," I reply with fake enthusiasm.

"They have nests?" Kiara inquires.

"Seems like a good place to park," Sarah mocks with the same sarcastic tone as I had.