All Is Silence - Deserted Lands #1

Chapter 23 - Part II

Everything stopped when Zach drove them across the Columbia on I-205. Mount Hood was impressive etched against the sky and the river was wide broken up by islands covered with greenery. To the west, Lizzie could see the airport tower south of the mighty Columbia.

Spike and Charley played some game in the back. She could hear Charley giggling and Spike doing his snorting guffaw from time to time. When her fingers ached and she’d written down the basic notes, she stuck her head over the back seat to check on them. Charley was feeding Spike bits of bacon left over from breakfast. “Whatcha doing, Charley?”

“Teaching Spike to talk.” He said it as if she must have been stupid to not realize it.

“But you’re not talking,” Lizzie said. “Just laughing.”

“Watch.” Charley tapped the tips of his fingers and thumbs together and then scraped the fingers of his right hand in a circle on his chest. Spike made similar motions and Charley handed him a bacon bit that Spike swallowed. Charley touched his flat palm to his chin and pushed it toward Spike.

“Thank you,” Lizzie said. “I know that one.”

Spike copied him.

“My brother was mostly deaf. Too many ear infections. So I learned sign language. To talk to him.” Charley paused, his lip pursed for a second then beamed. “Used up all the leftovers, but he can do it.”

From the front seat Zach laughed. “Awesome. Can you teach him to say, ‘I need to go to the bathroom?’”

“I’ll work on it,” Charley said. “But I’ll need more food.”

“That’ll make sure he has to go!” Zach said. “Win-win.”

“How do you say good job?” Lizzie asked.

Charley demonstrated: flat hand down into other flat hand and then double fists together.

“Like, thank you with a twist.” Lizzie practiced.

Charley grinned proudly and told Spike, “Good job,” with the signs.

Lizzie said, “Good job to both of you,” and added the signs herself.

They both signed “good job” and “thanks”back to her.

“Charley, I think it will help Spike if you say it out loud, too.” She turned back around in her seat. “Zach? Think we can stop for something to give Spike in bites?”

* * *

The rest of the drive Zach stopped at each rest stop and Charley patiently asked Spike in words and signs if he had to go to the bathroom. God, I hope this works.

Spike ate bags of chips and crackers, fruit snacks and cheese sticks, jerky and nuts.

At each stop, Lizzie worked on her new song.

Zach tried to play the chords on the guitar that she suggested, but his fingers were out of shape and the tips soon ached. He promised to play a little every day until they came back. Nev kissed his fingertips when he complained.

Nev danced with Saj, who stood on the ground and bounced. His hands alternated, flapping up and down like he was drumming. His whole face lit up. It was almost as much fun for Zach to watch Nev trying to copy him.

The afternoon culminated with success. Spike said yes, he had to go to the bathroom. They stopped and he did. They all cheered. Lizzie gave Spike a big hug.

Lizzie sidled up to Zach afterward and whispered, “You need to give him a shower.”

Great. My favorite. He nodded, his jaw clenched. Something in Lizzie’s tone set him off. She was pissed. He could tell. What the hell had he done this time? Did she think he and Nev had sex last night? Even if nothing really happened? A heavy sigh escaped his throat. “Somebody else needs to drive for a while. Lizzie?”

“Okay. Sure.”

Nev started to get in the back.

“No,” Zach said, surprised and instantly regretting the tone in his voice. He softened it. “Nev. You can sit in front. I’m going to sit back here and try to sleep.” His hand brushed her hair as she turned away. Damn it. Now he’d probably pissed Nev off, too.

Lizzie had a way of making everything into some big drama. And he couldn’t really explain to Nev. He could blame it on cleaning up after Spike, but it wasn’t the whole truth. What if Lizzie and Nev talked? Okay. Next chance, I’m coming clean. No bad stuff between me and Nev. He tried to rest and sleep, but nothing came except more worries. He played the conversation over and over in his head. He could take his chances, but if it came out later? Then it would be really over. She couldn’t blame him for being honest, right? He could hear Lizzie’s voice. Don’t be naive, Zach. Of course, Nev could and probably would be pissed even if he was honest. Still better than this.

He slept. When the car stopped, he came awake.

“Break time,” Lizzie announced. She opened her door and jumped out, heading for the mini-mart at a jog.

“We need to talk,” Nev said, getting out of the Tank and slamming the door behind her.

“Shit.” Zach turned around. Charley and Spike were staring at him. “What? You heard Lizzie. Break. Everybody out.” He shoved his door open and flipped the seat forward. Nev was striding away back down the street toward a rock formation. He didn’t know where he was, but he knew he was in trouble. Had Lizzie said something while he was asleep?

He paced, keeping his eyes on Charley and Spike and listening for Saj until Lizzie came out. “I’m going to go talk to Nev.”

Lizzie nodded.

Zach jogged in the direction Nev had gone.

“Thanks for not leaving the kids alone,” Lizzie called after him.

He found a park with an outdoor pool and a skate park in the distance. The slim girl he sought, sat with her head down on a picnic table under a kite-shaped white shade. He slowed to a walk as he got close. He wanted to put his hands on her shoulders and rub the tension away, but he had no idea how she would react. He went around the other side and sat down. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Nev answered, not looking up.

“Let’s talk.”

“Go ahead, Zach.”

He sat, his brain reeling through words he wanted to say and a lot that he didn’t. He grabbed some and spit them out. “Lizzie and I slept together.”