Page 20 of The Hitchhikers
“I need money.”
Simon leaned forward, tugged his wallet from his back pocket,and handed her two ten-dollar bills. Probably the very ones he’d stolen from her purse.
The gas attendant was a rail-thin young man in red coveralls and his hair buzzed short. He jogged over and flashed her a quick, cheerful smile. “What can I get you?”
“Fill it up, please.”
The attendant moved away. In her side mirror, she watched him work the pump. He was chatting and laughing with a customer parked at another pump. He seemed friendly. Maybe curious about people. Gas stations had newspapers. He could’ve seen the article. He might even recognize Simon if he had a better look at him next time he came to the window. Alice leaned back in her seat, stretching her arms so that Simon would think she was loosening her muscles.
“Can I get snacks?” Jenny said, her voice hopeful.
“It’s safer if you stay in the RV.”
“I’ll be careful. I’ll wear Alice’s hat. Please?” Alice had forgotten about her straw hat on the hook by the door. She’d bought it imagining all the picnics she and Tom would have.
“Okay,” Simon said, still sounding reluctant. “Try to be fast.” He pulled a couple more dollars out of his wallet and passed them over his shoulder to Jenny.
Alice didn’t know how the girl could even be thinking of snacks considering everything that was happening. Then she remembered again that Jenny was pregnant and had to catch her breath, the bitterness sharp under her ribs. All those weeks of sickness during her own pregnancy, and when it had finally passed, she’d been so excited about each new craving.
Alice and Simon waited in silence while the gas attendant filled the tank. Alice flicked her gaze up to the rearview mirror. Jenny had left the hunting knife on the table.
Simon was looking out the passenger window, watching Jennyin the store. The attendant came back to the driver’s side, and this time he gave Simon and Alice a curious glance.
“Washington, eh? Whereabouts?”
He was observant. She felt a glimmer of hope. She had no idea how many visitors the gas station got in a day, but they might be different enough to stay in his mind. “Seattle.”
“Oh yeah? Where are you heading?”
Alice thought quickly. If she said the Olympics, he could have more questions. She didn’t know if that was good or bad. She didn’t know how Simon would react.
“Banff.”
“Long drive.”
“Not so bad in an RV.”
“Ain’t that the truth.” He patted the side of the RV. “Well, peace out.”
The attendant walked away, and she looked at Simon, who was frowning at something on the other side of the gas station. She followed his gaze. Four motorcycles were lined up, black with chrome handlebars. The ones from the campground? Two men came out the side, where she assumed the bathroom was, and lit up cigarettes. She didn’t see the red-haired man.
Jenny pulled open the door and rushed up the steps. “Sorry! I’m ready to go.” She launched herself into the dinette and tossed a plastic bag onto the table.
Alice put the RV into gear and drove around the gas station, heading back to the highway. Simon was looking out his side window, with a whispered, “What the fuck.”
“What’s wrong?” Jenny said.
“Bikers.”
“They’re here?” Jenny sounded shocked—and scared—but Alice didn’t understand why. It seemed to be a popular gas station, and the bikers were obviously traveling in the same direction.
“Get going.” Simon slid low in his seat.
Alice eased back onto the highway, pressing the gas pedal until they were at the posted speed limit of fifty miles an hour.
“Faster,” Simon said.
Alice sped up but she didn’t like the vibration of the tires and the way the wind hit the RV from the side, making it sway. Any wrong move could send the RV careening off the road. She checked her side mirror. A biker was behind them, weaving in and out of traffic. Alice recognized his long red hair, but this time he was wearing a black T-shirt under his vest.
