The Tennessee Youngster

Chapter Eleven

Begin Again

Nothing seemed sweeter than the air that passed through the cracked windows. Leaving Sulphur Kentucky, the wretched smell in the air behind made Tommy think of how blessed he was and the reservations of moving down south seemed to fade. What took place last night and this morning was like a chapter out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie he saw in black and white on the family television. Anticipation of a new start and summer upon him, he looked towards what would come next. A new home, new town, new friends to make, not to mention the ability to explore. Summertime to Tommy was an adventure and so far it has been one he like to forget about but knew he wouldn't.

Looking around the car Tommy felt secure. The wind rushing in and across his forehead was a good feeling reminding him when his mother used to gently caress him while holding him in her arms before he drifted off to sleep as a baby. He was with his family and that was all that mattered. Nick was leaning his head close to the window probably still in shock over getting roughed up by a girl, yet he seemed far off. Leaning in towards the front seat he saw his stepfather tapping both his thumbs on the steering wheel to a beat, yet the radio was off and his mother looking forward, but could not tell if she had her eyes open or not, her rather large dark brown sunglasses covered much of her face from her nose up over her eyebrows, but she looked as if she was OK now and peaceful.

"How much longer?" Tommy said to his stepfather.

"Don't worry about it. Sit back in your seat."

"Stephen."

Debra spoke lifting up her sunglasses with her left hand revealing a stern look at him. She was not about to have him go back to the way he was prior to the run-in with the Sherriff. She liked the fact she could have the upper arm once in awhile and planned on using it when needed. Now was a good time seeing how fresh in his mind the whole incident was, yet still letting Stephen be in control.

"I dunno Tommy. Maybe three hundred miles or so."

"Gosh, seems like a long time."

"Not really Tommy. Should only be a few more hours. Why don't you sit back in your seat and take a nap? I'm sure you boys can use one." Debra said.

Tommy didn't want to take a nap and miss everything passing him by, but he felt a huge yawn overcome him and knew his mother was right. Maybe he would sit there looking out the window for a bit. His eyes did feel heavy and started to close. His brother Nick was already ahead of him passed out with his head dangling down in front of him. Seems he wasn't the only one exhausted from the trip so far.

"Roll up your window. Looks like storms ahead." Stephen said looking in the rearview mirror at Tommy.

"Oh Stephen, every time you see a gray cloud, you think it's going to storm out," Debra said laughing a little at her husband.

Tommy felt tired all of a sudden after that yawn and wanted to look up ahead to see the so-called storm, but figured it was probably best to not to and risk getting yelled at by his stepfather for doing so. Besides it had to be false, since looking out his window he saw nothing but blue skies and not a cloud to be seen. It wasn't long before Tommy's eyes got the better of him after a fight to keep them open and dozed off.

The weather outside seemed fine but would eventually prove otherwise the closer the Davidson's traveled down the highway. In fact, the clouds rolled in something fierce just about three hours later unleashing torrential downpour making it hard for Stephen to see outside the windshield. The wipers at full speed still couldn't keep up.

"See, I told you it looked like storms, but no you said. Don't worry about, just keep driving. Nothing will happen. Well, I can barely see out the window. Now what?"