that  made him uncomfortable

he hoped the others saw what he was looking at  he moved in his shoes

casually he stepped aside and looked at them

they looked staidlooked as comfortableas comfortable as he was uncomfortable

How many rooms did you need? the motel clerk asked as he stood up from the old caster wood armchair he sat in  

Four rooms, doubled beds, replied Manny which had been how they slept over the past week as they traveled together

Four Rooms. Double beds. We have those.

Fine . .

. . Three  Three rooms he interrupted  I think Ill stay across the road . .

. . Their amenities, across the road, pale in regards to ours the clerk said

Im not interested in amenities  A bed a toilet a shower Im good

What are you talking about? Manny said turning to him

Ill be just across the road

This is a family trip. We’ve come this far together. Manny didntwasnt reading his facehis expression following his eyes he kept turning them to the enormous antique roll top desk behind the clerk  

An amazing piece of furniture he said to the clerk he was done trying to have Manny take the bait he cast

the clerk didnt turn to acknowledge the desk Thank you.dismissing him So it’ll be the three rooms then. Just three rooms?

Manny shook his head at him You’re sure you don’t wan . . 

. . Theres probably four rooms across the street too Small town not many tourists

Then, three rooms? the clerk asked again

Yawanna step outside a moment Manny Gang  he motioned to the others started backpedaling to the door

the rest of the family looked to Manny to this point hed been lead

I think we’re fine here, Joe. I happen to like the amenities offered . .

. . Outstanding amenities the clerk chimed . . 

. . Uh, I like the amenities, Joe Manny briefly eyed the clerk glaring Don’t interrupt

Then you should take the three rooms Manny Im going across the street

What’s wrong with you?

If youll step . . 

. . I’m tired, don’t want to be doing gymnastics; we decided earlier we’d stay here  standing between him and Manny the rest of the family nodded

Take the three rooms 

Manny turned back to the clerk as did the rest of the family 

Joe excused himselfwent out the screen door into the sunlight and began crossing the sparkling graveled parking lot a blue pool at his left behind an intimidating black wroughtiron fence  the fence was out of character for the grounds

he crossed the small two lane roadnearly without looking still botheredstill uncomfortable but the distance between him and the motel at his back was making him feel better despite the annoyance Manny didnt step outside with him 

he was done a long time ago with people trying to steer himno matter if they were family

choices everyones welcome to their choices 

they laid eyes on what he laid eyes onsaw what he saw he was distracted  they werent

over the clerks shoulder on top of the desk was a freestanding sign BACK IN TEN MINUTES 
                                                                                                    if he was back
why was the sign still up  why didnt he take it down

because he wasnt back

the clerk wasnt back

colour him suspicious

later the family went to dinner together at a fish fry down by the river had some beers at a bar shot some pool retired for the evening

that night he woke to the sound of brakes on gravelpolice lights turning on the curtain hanging in his window

Fuckin knew it he cursed fuckin knew it

the clerk wasnt the clerk 

the clerk and cohorts robbed his family of whatever cash had and stole their cars

what his family did realise see was that their cars left in different directions at the crossroads

otherwise  they were safe  

violence was threatened

but it wasnt necessary

probably a good thing he wasnt there

                                        his sister said as much 

she knew him too well

but evidently not enough to cross her husband

2013,  Monday,  18  2. 19

1535,  Thursday,  21  2. 19