#anywhere

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(After the Funeral but before April Fool's)

It's been an interesting truck ride so far. Siv can be a chatty thing, but also listens when her father explains driving tips and more. Sometimes she was bored. And she had fussed when hinting that maybe Bancroft could join them on the visit to Jude.

"Dad... while you were in the rest room, I texted Jessica."

"Mmm? How is she?"

"She says all is well. I know California is a big state, but did we want to dip south and see her? She didn't ask, but she is okay with it"

"Hm. We'll ask your mom."

"Okay. Yeah, she might not want to be left out on THAT..." A groan "The great plains are so... where are the trees?"

LONNNNG Stretches of flat and empty getting to her perhaps. Ironic, she would, of course swear the Sea is different

"Trees dont make for good farmland."

"Even the Debukes have SOME trees... this is ... wow, just a whole lot of ...wait , I think I see a tree.... nope. Telephone pole. Cruel tease"

"There's corn...."

"I know, you know what there was 20 minutes ago?" Nary a beat "Corn. Know what there will probably be in another 20? "

"Corn. And cows. "

"I'm having a hard time being excited about this part of the journey" she admits.

"Long hauls generally aren't, video games aside." Witj a faint smile.

"i'm trying to be good. I haven't texted Bancroft in... oh lord, has it been a half hour? I may get the shakes" Of course, she texted her sister instead.

Frank rolls his eyes.

"No sympathy from the older generation... oh well, at least we'll be seeing the big deal about these rockies in a few hours" A grin "Normally I trod right past. WHy didn't we take the trods?"

"Income on the way back."

"Oh? You've got a pick up! COOL...can I help load or at least watch how it's done I ..." Then suddenly, the vehicle gives an odd groan.

Frank frowns. "That's not a good sound." He runs a quick diagnosis.

"Nope"

"Da... is it supposed to be slowing down? Is that you or the truck?"

Frank is pulling over. "Maybe both." He gets it on the shoulder. "Sit tight." He steps down and secures the rig, then does an inspection.

it turns out that a part of the truck is missing. Oh, it can be replaced, but he doesn't have a spare.

"Damn." He grabs his phone and calls trucking support to describe the problem. "How long, do you think?"