The interior alarm sounded in Todd's car, bringing him back to the present. His gas guage light was flashing and beeping. Tea was still sleeping. He pulled off the highway exit to stop for gas. He saw that the lights of the station and the lack of motion were making Tea stir. He never had understood how she could sleep so peacefully, especially in his presence or company. She should have slept with one eye open. He usually did. But she didn't. She always saw something in him that even made him not feel afraid of himself. And he still didn't understand that part of her because he didn't understand that side of him let alone ever see it. And he knew he never would. But he did like how she made him feel. At least a little now and then.
As she started to stir, a pile of stray hair moved down her face covering most of her left side and somewhat resting on her nose and upper lip. "How long has it been," he thought to himself, since I pressed my flesh on her flesh before today?" He chuckled. "Fifteen months," he thought. "And nine days," the other voice in his head had called out. That giddy little boy that he enjoyed seeingenjoyed being, now and then.
Gently, he reached over and moved her hair up and caught her right eye peaking back at him. Awkwardly, she waited to see what he'd do, now that he was literally caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Flawlessly, and unaffected by the fact that she was indeed conscious and therefore aware of what he was doing, looped her hair behind her ear and said abruptly, "Stay!"
Tea: (laughing out loud) It's shaggy and messy, but I assure you, it's human.
Todd: Are you sure about that?
Tea: Todd!
Todd: Okay, okay. You win.
Tea: But I thought you always won?
Todd: You're here, aren't you?
Tea: Exactly, where is here?
Todd: A gas station.
Tea: Ahhhhhh?
Todd: Exxon. Unleaded. Super. Does any of this help?
Tea: I was speaking geographically.
Todd: Yeah, well that's what you get for speaking.
Tea: Never mind. Do you think this place has a restroom? I'd like to freshen up a bit.
Todd: Yup. It sure does. Go inside and ask Ralph to give you the key. But watch out for the splinters.
Tea: Why? Is the seat wooden or is it behind the station in the woods?
Todd: The key silly.
Tea: The key is made of wood?
Todd: Same Delgado. Never understanding the obvious. (pausing, while snickering) The KEY HOLDER.
Tea: I'm going now.
Todd: Well, I guess when the sensation hits you.
Tea walked inside and immediately figured out who Ralph was. Ralph was a dead give away, not just because he was the only man in the convenience store, but because his name was written on him in three different places. She first noticed him from the back and saw the name Ralph on the older man's belt. He turned toward her and stood before her in his Exxon uniform with the name Ralph embroidered on his left shirt pocket, as well. It was also on his hat. This had to be Ralph. But how did Todd know that? He was rugged and wrinkled, but his eyes were so soft. It didn't surprise her in the least that his voice was soft and gentle, welcoming.
Ralph: How can I help you darlin'?
Tea: I need the key to the ladies room.
Ralph: Sure thing.
Tea: By the way, Ralph, where am I?
Ralph: You're at a gas station darlin'. It's called Exxon.
Now Tea, being the saavy woman that she was, coupled with being an attorney, knew instinctively that now was not the time for her to say, "Look moron. What city is this Exxon in?" Instead she took a deep breath as she saw her tough exterior melt away to try and show patience toward this clearly simpleton man.
Tea: I was speaking geographically.
Ralph: Well, that explains it. I only speak English darlin'.
Tea: (mumbling to herself) and you're slurring that one as you try.
Ralph: What did you say?
Tea: (startled) and you're spurring me on to try. I'll try once more. (slowing down and pronouncing each word for emphasis) I was speaking geographically.
Ralph stood before her and literally fell apart. His face contorted into a mixed up, shell of a man. All he could manage was a desperate, "Huh?" The only thing he lacked at that moment was a removal of his hat and a scratching of his head. But not to let her down, only she beating him to the punch, he removed his hat and scratched what little hair he had.
Tea: (having used up all her patience blurted out loudly, without the moron part, of course) What city is this Exxon in?
Ralph looked outside and caught Todd staring at him out of the corner of his eye. Todd just shook his head no as he waved his hands. Tea turned and saw what Todd was doing.
Ralph: Are you here with Todd? Why don't you just ask him where you are? Old Ralph here, knows when to shut up. But I must say, it's nice to see young Todd with such a pretty gal. He's been so lonely here lately. I could see it in his eyes.
Tea had all the info she was going to get out of Ralph, more actually than she had ever intended to get. And she had the key to the ladies room. She slowly strolled toward the ladies room, staring at the key. Remembering that all of this had started with a key. Todd had told her to ask for Ralph. Todd knew this place, she gathered. This had been his sanctuary for the past fifteen months. He was sharing his hiding place with her and she couldn't be more pleased. She noticed her step picking up. She almost seemed peppy. "Giddy and peppy," she thought. "Ay, Dios Mio. What a pair we truly are!"
