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
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
