Grandma patted Jack’s head. “He’ll be fine. Once he gets on the road, he will be just fine.”
Elana forced a smile. “Of course he will.” She glanced down at the dog and then back up to the hosts. “Thanks again for having us. I’ll be sure to tell everyone about this place and the good work you do.”
Grandma nodded. “And I wrote a nice little check, which I left on the kitchen table.”
Ethan shook his head. “Thank you, Cecilia. That’s very generous of you.”
Her grandmother shrugged. “Well, I can’t take it with me. Might as well spread the wealth.” She gave them both hugs before getting into the passenger side of the van.
Ethan squeezed Elana arm. “Don’t look so worried. You’ll be fine with Jack. You might even find he’s a great help.”
Elana nodded and said her goodbyes before loading Jack up in the back of the van. She walked around and got into the driver side and started the engine.
As they drove away, Jack looked out the back as if he were saying goodbye. He then curled up and lay down on the bed.
They made it two hours before Grandma Cecilia had needed a bathroom break. Elana wondered if Ethan should have installed a toilet instead of a working sink.
She managed to find a truck stop before pulling into a parking spot. Grandma Cecilia scurried out of the van leaving her alone with Jack. The old dog sat on his haunches and gave one sharp bark.
Elana looked back at him. “Need a bathroom break too?”
Jack cocked his head.
She nodded and grabbed the keys out of the ignition and walked around to open the side door. She grabbed his leash before he could jump out.
“The last thing I need is for you to run away. Ethan would be very upset if I let that happen.”
Jack slowly got down from the van and she shut the door behind him. She walked over to a large grassy area near the interstate.
Jack lowered his ears as the noise rushed around him. Once he got on the grass, he seemed to freeze as his eyes darted about.
She knelt. “It’s okay Jack. Ignore the cars. Just do your business and we can leave.”
The dog looked at her and blinked. Maybe he understood her, maybe not. But he did his business right there.
She smiled and patted his head. “Good dog, Jack.”
Quick as a flash he licked her from her chin to her forehead.
She cringed and swiped her elbow across her face. “There really is no need to do that you know.”
Grandma Cecilia was out of the gas station and standing by the van. She gave Elana a wave to hurry her along.
Once everyone was back in the van, Elana started the engine.
“Everything go, okay?” Grandma Cecilia looked back at Jack.
“He did his business,” Elana stated.
“So did I. We should be good for a while.” Her grandmother grinned.
They made it to Arkansas and stopped in a town called Jonesboro, Arkansas. They pulled into the parking lot of a shopping center, and they got out to make a sandwich in the back of the van. Even Jack got a half a sandwich all to himself.
“Isn’t this cozy?” Grandma Cecilia sat on the futon sofa next to Elana. “Tonight, we’ll both be able to sleep on a proper bed.”
Elana nodded. “I’ll be grateful for that. But it might get hot.”
Grandma shrugged. “It will be fine. I was hoping we would make it to Missouri by the end of the day.” She pulled out her cell phone and showed it to Elana.
