SIX （B）: James

SIX (B)

JAMES

Traveling I-90 East toward Spokane

The last time I took a road trip, I was in my early twenties, and my older brother and I were still best friends. It was two weeks before Christmas, and we’d decided to surprise my mother with a weekend visit.

The road miles flew by so fast it felt like we were flying, unlike now.

How the hell have we only notched fifty?

“Can we please listen to something else?” Taryn sighs from the back seat. “I’m struggling to fall asleep through this.”

“We agreed that the driver controls the radio, Taryn.”

“We also said that we wouldn't be petty.” Her eyes meet mine in the rear-view mirror.

“That went out the window when you decided to sit in the backseat.”

“Fine then.” She narrows her eyes. “But I refuse to believe you're listening to a ‘How to Stay on My Boss's Good Side’ podcast for yourself.”

“Fair enough.” I smile and switch to something else. “Hopefully you’ll like this one better.”

“Hello sweet listener,” a soft voice sifts through the speakers, “and welcome to the How to Keep Your Complaints to Yourself podcast.”

Her face reddens, and she rummages around her purse for her earbuds, but I neglect to tell her I took those out when she first dozed off.