Indirect Route Read Online Free PDF Page A

the most popular flavor in the world.  And for good reason.  You can’t go wrong with a classic.”  Mark slapped him on the shoulder and sent him on his way.  As he stepped into the hall and waited for the elevator, Aaron couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d just received the most hackneyed pep-talk of all time.
    ***
    At noon the next day, Aaron parked in the visitor’s spot in Janie’s condo complex.  He was just stepping out of the car when he saw her emerge from her front door, laden with two large suitcases and a backpack.
    “We’re going for three days, tops,” Aaron said, jogging up to take the heaviest bag from her hands.  “What did you pack in here?  A body?”
    “Men.  You want us to look stunning, but complain when faced with the fact that it actually takes effort.”  Janie gave him a lopsided grin to let him know that she was kidding.
    “You always look stunning.”  His simple words made Janie come up short.  She paused for a minute, then felt herself blush. 
    “Thanks,” she muttered, then walked deliberately to the trunk of his car. He followed, gesturing for her to move aside as he lifted her substantial bags into the back of the car with a muffled grunt. Slamming the trunk, he wiped his hands down the front of his jeans and looked into her clear blue eyes.  “Have you had lunch?” He asked.
    “No.  But I brought snacks.”  She slipped the backpack from her shoulder and opened it to show him the main compartment, which was full of Swedish Fish and blueberry Pop Tarts.  Aaron’s broad grin made her glow with delight.  “You like?”
    “I love.” He grabbed the bag and installed it between the two front seats, then grabbed his iPhone and plugged it into the auxiliary speaker system in the car.  “Do you mind?  I brought some music.  I fall asleep if I don’t have music to drive with.” 
    “Not at all, lemme see,” Janie said, grabbing the phone and scrolling through his music list.  “Hmm.  Nelly Furtado.  I approve.  Jury’s still out on Tenacious D…”
    “Give me that,” Aaron murmured, grabbing for the phone.  Janie jerked her hand away and turned her back to him.  “The Cure, classic...Eminem, okay.”  She stopped and turned towards him slowly.  “Boy Kill Boy? Oh my God, I’m stealing your phone.  Let’s go, hurry, we’ve got a lot of music to cover.”  She got in the car and began fidgeting in her seat.  Aaron shook his head in amusement.
    “Alright, alright. We’re going.  Cue up a playlist.  And open a package of Swedish Fish, okay?” 
    ***
    Four hours later, they stopped for a gas break.  They’d spent a good two hours talking about music, Janie’s childhood, their respective jobs, and finally, comic books.  Janie had started reading graphic novels when she realized they helped some of her kids read aloud with more confidence.  She’d found them surprisingly compelling, and was soon reading them for pleasure. Aaron was a fan as well, and by the time they hit the Texas/Louisiana border, they’d discussed several of their favorite authors. Finally, Janie fell asleep against the window while Aaron listened to music and grinned at the way she snuggled into her pillow, chewing her thumbnail and snoring softly.
    “Hey. Janie.  Hey, wake up,” Aaron whispered after he’d stopped the car by the gas pump.
    “Hmm?”  She stretched languorously, and Aaron swallowed hard.  “Oh, sorry.  Did I snore?”
    “Oh, yeah.  And if I’m not mistaken, you sucked your thumb.”
    “What?  No, I didn’t.”
    “I’m pretty sure you did.”  He touched her upper arm gently.  “Don’t worry, I’ll keep your secret.”
    “There’s no secret.  I don’t suck my thumb.” Her face was pink, and Aaron came up short.  He turned to face her, looking serious.
    “Janie, I was just joking.  I mean, I don’t care what you suck.”  She stared at him, her eyes wide as saucers.  “No, wait--that didn’t sound right at