Story 34/1001

• closed
• pleasure
• hen

The van stopped. Rick frowned, looking at the girl on the passenger seat.

“Road closed.” Said Martin behind them.

“I can read, Martin.” Rick said. “Nancy? Anything?”

“Don’t be annoyed with me, Rick.” Nancy moved her hand like she was brushing Rick off. “The map said to go here. You saw it, too.”

“What’s going on?” Allison moved towards the front seats. “Why did we stop?”

“The road’s closed.” Martin answered. Rick sighed.

“The map led us here? I thought Rick checked it.”

“He did.” Nancy answered. “But, now he’s blaming me.”

“Why? He said it’s okay. “Martin looked at Rick.

“Would you all just shut up and let me concentrate? Jeez, you’re like the hens my dad keeps.” He pointed at Nancy, Martin and Allison. “Hen number one, hen number two, hen number three.”

“And what are you, then? A rooster?” Nancy scoffed.

“At least I’m not a hen.” Rick answered.

“You do know they change the rooster if the hens don’t behave?” Nancy said.

“Yeah, the hens are much more valuable.” Martin added.

“Can you make eggs, almighty rooster?” Allison asked. “Or at least find where we should go?”

“Fine.” Rick grabbed the map from Nancy and rotated it.

“I think we should’ve gone right at this intersection.” Martin pointed at the map.

“That was ten miles ago!”

“Yes.”

“If you knew this, why didn’t you say anything sooner?” Rick asked.

“I’m saying it now.”

“Wow, thank you so much.” Rick said, turning the van around.

“My pleasure.”

“This is the last time I’m going anywhere with you guys.” Rick muttered.

“You said that the last time, too.” Nancy said.

“And the time before that.” Allison added.

“Keep quiet, hens. Don’t want to make the rooster mad.” Martin shushed them.

Rick smiled and shook his head. “Idiots.”