Love, Dad | ✔️

13 | TRAVEL TO BROADEN YOUR MIND

"Okay, one last stop before we hit L.A." Dave's firm hands on the steering wheel seemingly take another detour after only half an hour drive.

"Mmm... Wasn't Las Vegas supposed to be one last stop, Mr. Rivera?" I wiggle my finger at him playfully. "And aren't we supposed to be looking for a safe spot to spend the night at?"

"It was, and we are, your highness. I just so happened to see the perfect spot while analyzing the Las Vegas map we bought."

"What is it?" I roll down the window, peeking left and right eagerly.

"Tsk, tsk, Lewis. So impatient."

Well, he's not wrong there. I'm sometimes definitely too impatient for my own good.

"It's a surprise."

"A surprise?" I echo, slightly apprehensive. "Aand.... Is it the kind of surprise I'm going to like?" Doubt creeps into my words.

Who knows what he's plotting.

"I think so." He wrinkles his forehead but then nods, and turns to me with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"And what do I owe this surprise to?"

"Well, um, consider it as a thank you for agreeing to check out the Golden Nugget casino with me," he says. "I could tell you didn't like it much. So now, it's your turn to enjoy."

"Finally! What I will be enjoying?" I tease him.

"I want us to spend this final night, the night before the last leg of our journey, at a really special place."

I frown, shaking my head. "Dave, I... I appreciate the thought but you know that we can't afford anything expensive. Even if we did win those fifty dollars at the Golden Nugget. We have to be prudent. We need to save our money."

Dave chuckles. "Don't worry, we'll be sleeping there for free. Trust me."

"Free?" I ask, skeptical. "What's the catch?"

"No catch," he assures me. "Oh, we're approaching the place now. Just close your eyes and trust me."

Despite my reservations, I can't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "Alright, fine. But if this turns out to be a prank..."

He laughs. "Wow, you really don't trust me, do you? I suppose that's fair. I've gotta earn your faith in me. But nope, it's not a prank. Just close your eyes. And no peeking!"

I do as he says, feeling the excitement build inside me. The blue Pontiac engine hums to life once more, and we continue moving. 

With my eyes closed, and the car window open, the world around me feels more vivid, somehow. I can hear the murmur of the distant city outside, and the occasional honk of a car horn.

Dave hums along to the radio, a familiar tune of Springsteen's "Born in the USA," that makes me feel at ease. He places his palm on top of my shaky fingers to calm me down.

"Hey. Both hands on the steering wheel, Mister," I fake-reprimand him, even if I rejoice in the warmth of his hand in mine, the gentle vibrations of the car beneath us, and this mad anticipation bubbling in my chest.

What could he be possibly planning?

After what feels like an eternity, the car comes to a stop.

"Alright. We're here. Stay there," David whispers, and I can hear the excitement in his voice. He gets out of the car, slams the door, and I clearly hear his footsteps as he walks around to my side.

My door opens next, and Dave's hands are on me, guiding me out of the car.

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes," I reply, breathless.