Life Catcher

Part Two: Chapter Sixteen: Meaning's Confusion

Part Two

Meaning's Confusion

16.

We walk. And we walk. . . and walk. . . and walk. I didn't really think Canada was this big. I ask Sam at least fifty times if we're in America yet, but it's the same answer every time:

"No."

"We must be here because we've walked for hours," I say exasperated. I'm not tired really, just annoyed. How big is Canada?

He sighs and nods. "We should probably find a ride in a car. We'll get there faster."

"A car?"

He looks at me weirdly and I blush. "You don't know what a car is?"

I look at the ground embarrassed and he laughs.

"It's not that hard. It's just a heap of metal with wheels that can travel at least 180 miles per hour."

Wow. Cars are fast. I wonder what they look like, and if a car can go that fast, we'll be in America in no time. I did consider flying us both but the idea of carrying Sam wasn't the most inviting one.

All of the sudden we break into a clearing and I look down and see a gray surface with yellow and white lines. I follow the lines and see it continue all the way down until it's out of sight. Sam nods.

"That's a road," he says plainly.

"And cars travel on this?"

"Yep."

"So. . .what do we do now?"

"Just wait."

"Okay."

We stand there and wait. And wait. And wait again. I shift from one foot to the other. Then I try counting how many grains of sand are on the ground but I lose count at one thousand and ninety-one. After awhile my feet get tired and I sit down. Sam joins me. As the morning drags on Sam lays his head on my shoulder and dozes off. He immediately lifts his head when we hear a sound. He looks from left to right and I see a black blur to the left of us. He sticks his left thumb out as it gets closer and I hear the sound of it.

When it's about ten feet away it slows down. Sam waves and smiles, standing up. I do the same. The car stops in front of us and a person sticks their head out of the window. It's a female with black hair and blue eyes. She smiles, exposing her beautiful teeth. Her flawless skin is speckled with brown freckles.

I look away nervously because I'm not used to being around other people. She looks nice and all but for some reason I feel nervous. Maybe it's the day old squirrel I had this morning, I think to myself.

"Well, what are you two hitchhikers doing out here?" She says with a firm yet sweet voice.

Sam smiles sweetly and I blush for some reason. "We're not hitchhikers ma'am. We got lost camping with our parents."

What a great liar.

She looks me up and down and lifts one eyebrow. "You two related?"

"No ma'am. We're. . .friends. We camped together for the summer. The problem is our parents are supposed to be heading to America today and I'm sure they're worried sick," he says sadly. If I didn't actually know our predicament I would have been convinced.

Her face softens. "Well how's about I ride you two to town and get you out of those messed up clothes. If you want you can crash at my house until we find out where your parents are."

"That'll be great ma'am. Thank you so much."

"No problem. Now hop in before I run outta' gas."

Sam quickly opens her black door and climbs in. I follow what he does and climb in, automatically closing the door after me. I sit down on a comfortable seat and immediately lean back. I look at Sam and he smiles, giving me two thumbs up.