We drove a couple of hours after our pit-stop. Thick trunked evergreen evaded the view, unaffected by the war’s destruction. Katherine and I chatted away.The war had ended around eighty years ago and some areas were still facing radiation fallout from nuclear bombs or still physically scarred. Katherine fortunately mapped these areas out. 

“ The craters are ginormous. You could fill like two billion gallons of custard and it still wouldn’t be enough.” Katherine described.

“ What does custard taste like exactly?”

“ You’ve never had custard?” she shuddered, her mouth agape as if I was deprived of a basic necessity.

“ Nope.” I shook my head.

“ Then it’s settled. We’re going back to my place after we reach Arizona. You’ve gotta taste some of my Mama’s  homemade custard.”

“ Is it scrumptious?”

A chuckle landed on her lips. 

“ It’s better than just scrumptious. It’s like unicorns exploding in your mouth!”

“ Impressive simile.” I chuckle.

She drove in comfortable silence while I read through a paperback I bought at the general store until I notice her drooping eyelids.

“ Let’s call it a day.” I nudged her shoulder.

“Nah, I can drive a few more miles.”

“ You’re practically falling asleep.” I argued.

“ No, I’m not.” She yawned.

“ You’re yawning.”

“ I know my yawning is very convincing, but still no.”

“Please.” I plead with my puppy-eyed look that usually persuaded grandma.

She opened her mouth, but faltered at my expression. The battle was already won.

“Fine.” She admits defeat

The puppy's eyes never fail.

She hauled her vehicle at the side of the forest, disguising it with twigs. We shifted in our nightwear, into the backseat, our makeshift bed. I was in a cotton pink carnation nightgown while she was clad in yellow pajamas. I decided to sleep directly on top of her to share a quilt, my head against her chest.

My heart thumped madly in my chest as I attempted to sleep. How odd...I cuddled with my grandma almost every night in my life and fell asleep. Perhaps I was elated to finally touch someone like this again after such a long time. Yes. That must be it. Her scent was gasoline and sweat, a strangely soothing scent. nothing like my grandma...If it was, I would have cried on spot.

The air inside was musty however we did not open the windows when there might be late night showers or nocturnal animals to wake us up. The only sounds were the tittering of cicadas and her steady heartbeat. I closed my eyes, pondering why I was so… fidgety.  I was overreacting. Katherine didn’t seem to mind this situation at all.