On Vacation

by Jeff Baker

The SUV sped down the highway at a reasonable speed, past farms and wind turbines.

“Hey, Dad,” Jax said from the back seat. “How long ‘till we get there?”

“Not as long as it was last time you asked,” Dave said from behind the wheel. “It’s worth it. I think you’ll like Montreal.”

Sitting beside him, his Husband Liam grinned and patted Dave’s leg. This was something he always looked forward to; family vacations.

“And anyway, you realize you’re quoting a cartoon I saw in a magazine once, don’t you?” Dave said with a grin.

Jax’s older brother Shane laughed from the back seat as Jax sat next to him saying “Huh?”

“I think I remember that cartoon,” Liam said. “And I remember car trips like this,” Liam said looking at the boys in the back seat. “Back when I was about your age.”

The adults smiled. Being ten and twelve felt so far away in their early forties.

“Where did you guys go?” Shane asked.

“Wow.” Liam said, his mind racing back. “All over. One year we even went down to the States to see Yellowstone Park and even the Grand Canyon.” He was smiling at the memory and his voice got really soft. “A whole month, and it was worth every minute.”

“Grand Canyon?” Shane said, slightly awed.

“Yeah,” Dave said. “Your Pop still has pictures of that trip back home.”

“I wanna go!” Jax blurted out.

“Yeah!” Shane said.

“You know, I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone,” Dave said, eyeing Liam. “But maybe in a few years, okay?”

“Maybe in a couple of years.” Liam said.

“Awwwwww.” Jax said.

“Hey, who’s up for Poutine?” Dave asked.

“Yaaay!” the kids chorused.

Liam patted Dave’s leg again and mouthed an “I Love You” as the car sped on.

—end—