Be
rnie’s pinched face relaxed. He turned and stuck his tongue out at the disappearing black-and-white forms. Watching the rear ends waddle away, tails switching, they both giggled.
“Well, I’m glad somebody’s happy for a change,” Verna said, speeding through a tiny village. Angel opened her mouth to suggest they stop at the general store that she could see from the crossroad, but Verna was intent on the road ahead. The village was far behind them before Angel could even try to get the words out.
“Won’t be long now, kids, promise.” Angel had long ago learned not to rely on Verna’s promises, so it was no surprise when Verna did a tight U-turn in the middle of the narrow road and started back in the direction of the village. She cursed under her breath.
“Are we lost?” Bernie asked.
“No, Mr. Smarty-pants, we are not lost. Just somebody thought it would be cute to take down the blinking road sign.”
“Don’t you know the way?” His voice was high and pinched.
“Of course I know the way. It’s just been a while since I been here, and everything looks different.” She made a quick cut onto a dirt road. “Relax. This is it.”
But it wasn’t. Neither were the next three dirt roads they tried, although Verna kept assuring them that she had found the right road, but each one either petered out into a dead end or came to a crossroad that proved her wrong.
“It’ll be dark soon. Maybe we should ask directions—” Angel began.
Verna snapped her off. “And just who from, Miss Know-it-all? You see anybody I can ask directions from?”
“We could go back to...”
“Not on your sweet life. I’m through going back.” In the end, however, they did go back down the paved road, not, as Angel had hoped, to the village with the general store, where they could have gotten Bernie a drink, but to a lonely old house somewhere along the way. The paint was peeling, and the roof of the attached barn was half caved in. Verna jumped out of the truck, leaving the motor running. This time Angel didn’t protest.
“I got to pee.”
“Can’t you wait, Bernie?” Angel eyed the house. She didn’t think Verna would be too happy if they appeared beside her at the door asking to use the toilet.
“No. I can’t wait. That’s all anybody ever says to me. Wait. Wait. Wait. Well, I can’t wait.”
She leaned over and unbuckled his belt. “Okay. Okay, hop out and go behind the truck. You don’t want anybody to see you.”
“They’ll see me from the road.”
“Do you see anybody coming or going on that road? C’mon, Bernie. If you gotta go, go, and be quick about it.” She unlatched the door. Bernie climbed out. “And pull your pants down. You don’t want to wet them.”
Verna came out of the house and jumped into the cab. “Okay,” she said. “All set.”
“Mama! Wait for Bernie!”
Verna looked over toward the open door of the cab. “Where the hell?”
“He’s just going to pee.” She leaned out. “Hurry, Bernie. Mama’s ready to go.”
“Wait! Mama, wait! I’m coming right now!” Bernie scrambled awkwardly into the truck, trying to pull his pants up as he came.
“You just better hurry,” Verna said, throwing the truck into gear and starting into the road. “Before those folks catch you peeing in their yard.”
Bernie tried desperately to pull the door shut after him, but it wouldn’t close. Angel leaned across him and grabbed the handle. “Mama, slow down. Please. The door’s not shut, and Bernie’s not buckled in either.”
Verna stopped the truck with a jerk. She sat there, her hands drumming on the steering wheel, while Angel first helped Bernie get his pants up all the way to his belly button, buckled his seat belt, and then yanked the door shut hard. At the sound, Verna turned to look at her. “You’re quite the little mother, Angel.” Angel wasn’t sure whether it was a compliment or not, so she just nodded.
They drove past the place on the road where Verna had made the U-turn, a long way past, so that Angel was afraid they would be lost again, but Verna was slowing the car at every corner, looking for signs. She must have spotted the missing sign she’d been looking for, because now they were turning right onto a dirt road she hadn’t tried earlier.
In the gathering dusk Angel could just make out the white lettering. “Morgan Farm Road! That’s our name.”
“Your daddy’s people’s name. Yeah.”