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Understand?”
    â€œYes.” Both children whispered the word. Bernie looked like he was going to cry, so Angel handed him the rest of her hamburger.
    ***
    They were leaving the town now and heading out into real country. The road was two narrow lanes with lots of hills and curves with pastures and woods on either side. There wouldn’t be any place to buy a milk shake. Angel felt pretty sure about that. Cows looked up as they passed, chewing idly and staring after the car like nosy neighbors. Angel leaned across Bernie and stuck her tongue out at one of them. The cow tossed her head and walked away.
    Bernie’s pinched face relaxed. He turned and stuck his tongue out at the disappearing black-and-white forms. Watching the rear ends waddle away, tails switching, they both giggled.
    â€œWell, I’m glad somebody’s happy for a change,” Verna said, speeding through a tiny village. Angel opened her mouth to suggest they stop at the general store that she could see from the crossroad, but Verna was intent on the road ahead. The village was far behind them before Angel could even try to get the words out.
    â€œWon’t be long now, kids, promise.” Angel had long ago learned not to rely on Verna’s promises, so it was no surprise when Verna did a tight U-turn in the middle of the narrow road and started back in the direction of the village. She cursed under her breath.
    â€œAre we lost?” Bernie asked.
    â€œNo, Mr. Smarty-pants, we are not lost. Just somebody thought it would be cute to take down the blinking road sign.”
    â€œDon’t you know the way?” His voice was high and pinched.
    â€œOf course I know the way. It’s just been a while since I been here, and everything looks different.” She made a quick cut onto a dirt road. “Relax. This is it.”
    But it wasn’t. Neither were the next three dirt roads they tried, although Verna kept assuring them that she had found the right road, but each one either petered out into a dead end or came to a crossroad that proved her wrong.
    â€œIt’ll be dark soon. Maybe we should ask directions—” Angel began.
    Verna snapped her off. “And just who from, Miss Know-it-all? You see anybody I can ask directions from?”
    â€œWe could go back to...”
    â€œNot on your sweet life. I’m through going back.” In the end, however, they did go back down the paved road, not, as Angel had hoped, to the village with the general store, where they could have gotten Bernie a drink, but to a lonely old house somewhere along the way. The paint was peeling, and the roof of the attached barn was half caved in. Verna jumped out of the truck, leaving the motor running. This time Angel didn’t protest.
    â€œI got to pee.”
    â€œCan’t you wait, Bernie?” Angel eyed the house. She didn’t think Verna would be too happy if they appeared beside her at the door asking to use the toilet.
    â€œNo. I can’t wait. That’s all anybody ever says to me. Wait. Wait. Wait. Well, I can’t wait.”
    She leaned over and unbuckled his belt. “Okay. Okay, hop out and go behind the truck. You don’t want anybody to see you.”
    â€œThey’ll see me from the road.”
    â€œDo you see anybody coming or going on that road? C’mon, Bernie. If you gotta go, go, and be quick about it.” She unlatched the door. Bernie climbed out. “And pull your pants down. You don’t want to wet them.”
    Verna came out of the house and jumped into the cab. “Okay,” she said. “All set.”
    â€œMama! Wait for Bernie!”
    Verna looked over toward the open door of the cab. “Where the hell?”
    â€œHe’s just going to pee.” She leaned out. “Hurry, Bernie. Mama’s ready to go.”
    â€œWait! Mama, wait! I’m coming right now!” Bernie scrambled awkwardly into the truck, trying to pull his pants up as