#elsewhere

She does, climbing into the passenger side. She looks a bit drained, but not too badly. She looks straight ahead as he starts up.

Frank pulls out carefully and starts along 66, looking for his opportunity to turn around and head east.

After a few minutes, she takes out her phone and starts texting.

"Gerd wants to know if she should come and flash us back with the Dawntreader."

A considering pause. "That's a lot of Glamour. Up to you." pause again "You want, I'll pull over and you can go. Only 2 days home from here, or so."

"I gave her some dross earlier. We were expecting to move the rig, regardless. I'll ask." She texts again.

"She can," she reports to Frank. A pause. "Frank, please don't tell them how...."

"How what?"

Stolidly.

"I think, if you don't mind, I'd like to drive back. Get her... get her back myself."

Kerri glances at him...and nods. "I get it. Yes."

"I'll tell the Chieftain."

And appearing is Gerd. Holding a psoon

"Gerd, wait...it's just going to be me. The Mountain will drive back."

Frank keeps the Rig on the road.

"Oh.. um. here.. some dross if you need it , Mountain" She puts downn the psoon

Spoon

"Thank you, Gerd."

"I'm glad you got her back, Frank," Kerri says. Then she nods to Gerd.

"Oh, Skulk, that's the slaugh? He was being beat up by racist cops. the girls saved him. Right of rescue. I don't know if that excuses this so Idunnked them in the lake anyway"

"I don't think it does...but it's not my call," Kerri says quietly. She looks a bit worn.

"Might have wanted to wait on me before you did that, Gerd. We'll talk when I get home."

"Sorry, Mountain. I lost my cool with them a bit. " She lowers her head

Kerri starts to say something, then stops and just stares out the front window as they drive.

"Hearth, you ready?" Gerd says respectfully

"Yes, Gerd, thank you. Safe travels, Frank."

Gerd prepares a bunk swirling her hand in her palm "Your daughter is going to worry about you, Mountain . I'll tell her you're fine"

"Thank you. I'll call tonight."

Gerd nods "She'll understand. No one touches her ship either" And then she, and Kerri vanish

And Frank has a drive home to cool off.

King of the Road (who calls home that night to say hello and all is well)

**********