Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 The Line of Magdalene

   Road Trip is the second novella in The Line of Magdalene series, the
sequel to "Chrysalis Music." I suggest that you read it first to gain
background on the continuing characters.  But I am not trying to tell the
reader what to do.  Someone might want to wait until the series is complete
and read them backwards.  Whatever brings you joy...

   This is a work of complete fiction and fantasy.  The characters are all
imaginary and bear no relation to any persons living or dead.  The author
in no way condones the behavior of the characters and would voluntarily
testify against them in a court of law for any of their legal
transgressions real or imagined.  Some places mentioned are real, but the
events described here never happened anywhere.  So, if geographic details
aren't correct, remember one thing - this is fiction.

   Feel free to write and offer constructive criticism and/or
encouragement. I improve through you suggestions and I am motivated by your
encouragement.  (TheSpringg at yahoo dot com)

   NOTE: The author retains copyright to this work of fiction.  You may
link to this story from non-commercial or free sites, but you may not copy
or use it for any commercial purpose.
If the reader has tender sensitivities relating to explicit descriptions
of sexual behavior in literature, please read no further.  This story is

guaranteed to offend you sooner or later.

   Road Trip --- slow no sex...  yet

   Chapter 1

   She was crying quietly in the booth across from me in the small cafe. 
There was only a cup of coffee on the table in front of her.  Her clothes
weren't cheap, but she had a scruffy, rumpled look.  From my angle, I
couldn't see her face and a baseball cap covered her hair, except for the
long, rusty red pony tail pulled through the back of the cap When the
waitress appeared to take my lunch order, I nodded my head towards the girl
and whispered, "What's up with her?"

   "She came in early this morning with some guy, they had a fight and he
stormed out."

   "Left her at a cafe on Route 50?"

   "Yea, and she's broke.  I gave her a coffee, but I can't slip anything
else to her without paying myself.  I can't afford to support other
people's drama.  Got enough of my own."

   "Well, I'll take a 'California Burger' and a chocolate shake."

   "Want fries with that?"

   "Sure, and give the same order to the girl.  Just don't say its from
me."

   She scribbled the order and smiled at me before darting away to wait on
another table.

   *********

   My trip had started in my RV with my wife's Prius trailered behind.  We
had promised our daughters, Allison and Dina, that we would visit them at
their college in southwest Virginia.  The trip down to campus had made me
nervous for a couple of reasons.  The girls had found the web site of my
erotic photography.  At first I had been afraid that they would be shocked
at my amateur hobby.  They surprised me when they expressed interest in
having their portraits on the website too.  Given the erotic nature of my
photographs, this worried me too.  Taking revealing photos of other women,
including my lovely Kathryn, was one thing, but my own daughters?

   The other source of worry was our friend Lin.  Our daughters had only
been told that she was a student who shared the cooking and housekeeping in
return for room and board.  This was all true, but it belied the depth of
our full relationship.  A couple of months earlier my wife, Kathryn, Lin
and I had become involved in a multi-faceted, polyamorous relationship. 
When Allie had found my web site, she had commented on the attractive
"Asian" model, but not having met Lin, didn't make the connection between
the exotic model and the live-in maid.

   Kathryn and Lin seemed to harbor no such worries, in fact they spent the
entire trip chatting or sleeping in the back of the RV.  When we arrived at
the University, Kathryn commented on how she liked travel by RV so much
more than any other conveyance, except cruise ships.

   "You can sit, get up and move around, take a nap, fix a light meal,
whatever you want.  It's certainly better than flying!" She commented to
Lin before stepping out.

   I was still seated at the wheel when Lin turned to me , "Plus, you never
have a chance to flirt with the pilots when you leave the plane" and she
leaned over and gave me a long passionate kiss.  I could taste Kathryn's
arousal on her lips, which confirmed that they hadn't just been napping in
the RV's little bedroom.  No wonder Kathryn was so enthusiastic about RV
travel.

   Well familiar with the campus layout, we found Allie and Dina on the
steps of the Theater Arts Center at the agreed upon hour.

   "Hey Pops and Momsie!" Dina yelled.

   They both bounded up to hug us and I wondered out loud to Kathryn, "So
we're no longer the public humiliation that we were all throughout high
school?" It had been several years since the girls had stopped being
mortified by association with our mere presence in public, but I still
liked to tease them about those high school days.

   "Pops!" Dina started to complain, but Allie cut her off.

   "Ignore him, Dino!  Anything you say will only encourage him!" Allie was
a year younger than Dina, but she had been the leader of the pair as they
grew up.  Dina was the wild one, uninhibited one, and the demonstrated it
next, when her eyes fell on Lin.

   She stepped towards her, took Lin's hands in her own and exclaimed,
"Wow! You're even more lovely in person than in Daddy's photos - and those
were hot photos!  Eric will die when he hears you're here and die again
when I lock him up in his dorm room until you leave!  He loved that photo
set." I watched, bemused for a moment, then.  Allie jumped to the rescue.

   "You'll have to excuse my sister's lack of social graces.  My name is
Allie, which short for nothing, so my Daddy calls me Allie-Cat.  The
charming one, who won't let go of your hands, is Dina, which isn't short
for anything either, so Daddy calls her Dinosaur." Dina took the hint and
let go of Lin's hands, so that Lin could shake Allie's hand.

   "Hi!  I'm Lin"

   "Oh my god!" Dina burst out.  "As in the Lin who's a live-in student and
model in Mom and Dad's house?" She looked at her mother.  "Momsie!  You'd
better keep an eye on Pops!"

   Lin blushed.  Allie gave me a curious look.  And Kathryn threw them all
into fits of laughter, by saying, "Nowadays, how do you know it's not him
who should watch out for me?  I love this girl!" and with that she
dramatically threw her arms around Lin.

   *********

   The waitress startled me out of my reveries when she appeared with my
food.  I started eating right away and watched out the corner of my eye as
she delivered the girl's food.  It was clear the girl was trying to refuse
it, but I couldn't hear their conversation.  Eventually the waitress left
the food on the table and went to take care of other customers.

   The girl eyed the food.  I was beginning to think that I had wasted
eight bucks, but eventually she began picking at the fries.  Quickly she
went from nibbling the fries to devouring the burger.

   *********

   After some whispered discussion, Dina and Allie had taken us to the
Backstreet pizza parlor for great pizza and pitchers of beer.  They really
did seem to have gotten over their embarrassment of being seen in public
with their parents.  Or, perhaps, Lin's presence made a difference.  Dina,
in particular, seemed intent on impressing her.

   The pizza was as good as I had heard it would be and we all drank a
little more beer than we needed.  Toward the end of the evening, a group of
our daughter's friends showed up, including Dina's boyfriend Eric,
requiring more pitchers of beer.

   I refrained from drinking any further and resolved to enjoy watching the
kids and their high spirits.  Initially Lin was embarrassed by all the
attention she was receiving, from guys as well as girls, but she warmed up
to it quickly.  It was obvious that her photos had made her something of a
minor celebrity among Dina and Allie's crowd.  It also seemed that Kathryn
and I were of more interest because of our funding the beer and our
association with Lin.

   "Dina said you're doing a shoot tomorrow!" I was startled and turned to
see a petite pixie of a girl with what we used to call a 'pageboy' hair cut
addressing me.

   "She said that, did she?" I replied, while I appraised the young girl.
She had a cute face, with glowing amber eyes and sharply defined red lips
in a pert smile.  The femininity of her brightly colored sun dress
complemented her slender, almost boyish figure.  Her effervescent, almost
coquettish body language led me to think she would clearly flirt with the
camera

   Suddenly, her faced changed - almost to a moue of disappointment.  I
realized that my serious look while I assessed her potential, coupled with
my rather terse comment, was shaking her self-confidence.  I smiled
quickly, hoping to telegraph the positive result of my consideration.

   "Talk to Kathryn and Allie." I said, nodding in their direction.  "Tell
them that I want you included in the shoot that Dina mentioned." I could
see the relief and happiness return to her face as she grinned and bounced
away.

   The trip had started as visit to our girls and an opportunity to take a
few photos of them.  It seemed that Dina's impulsive nature had expanded
things, because I could see the little "pixie" talk to friends and then a
group of them approached my wife.  Kathryn shot me a questioning look,
which I returned with a shrug of my shoulders.  I smiled inwardly as
Kathryn turned to the girls and begin what I could tell was an animated
planning session.  I savored my beer and watching the young group.  Dina
wasn't involved with the planning session.  Instead, she was riding herd on
Eric, who was drawn to Lin like a moth to a flame.  I didn't need to know
Lin or be an expert in body language to see that Lin was warming to all the
attention.  I also knew that Dina needn't worry too much about competition
from Lin.  I was totally absorbed in this sort of observation, so when
Kathryn's planning session started to wind down, I tossed back the last of
my beer, caught the waitress' eye; paid the tab, and added a healthy tip
that brought a wide smile to her face.  It appeared that her usual
college-age clientele were decidedly less charitable.  Circulating to say
goodnight to everyone, I was surprised with several hugs and kisses on the
cheek from the girls who had been planning the next day's shoot.

   It was late by the time we arrived at our hotel.  Kathryn, Lin and I
collapsed in the king sized bed and slept through the night.

   Dina and Allie met us for lunch the next day and we scouted the site
they had selected for our photo session.  Not surprisingly, the `family
shoot' had morphed overnight into a five model photo shoot.  They had
settled on a riding stable.  Both Dina and Allie were avid members of the
university equestrian team and used their contacts with the stable manager
to allow us access to the older, less used stable in back.  It was
relatively clean, light and airy.  Allie arranged to move a couple of calm
horses into empty stalls and brought some miscellaneous leather tack from
the main stable.  We had created the appearance of a working stable before
the girl I had dubbed Pixie and the other two girls showed up.

   While I was setting up my equipment, Kathryn and our daughters went off
to watch a riding lesson in the large ring that served the main stable.

   As I was surveying the location and imagining potential shots, Lin
called to me from the old tack room that they'd designated as the model's
changing room.  I stuck my head through the door and was greeted with the
sight of Lin nude.  She was excitedly holding a collection of riding crops
and whip like items.

   "Aren't these cool?" she asked excitedly.

   "What are you thinking?" I asked.  I could guess pretty well what was on
her mind.  She handed me a two foot long leather crop with a wide, flat
leather tip, and proceeded to lean over an old wooden saddle stand with her
bare ass facing me.  She looked back over shoulder, silently pleading.

   "It will leave a mark." I protested.

   "So?  This isn't a nude shoot!" she retorted.  "Besides, I hope it does
leave a mark...  or marks!"

   I shrugged my shoulders and gave a soft tap on her beautiful round ass.

   "Oh come on!" She laughed.  "Please?"

   Realizing she was serious, I gave her two sharp whacks, and told her
firmly that I was done.  She stood up and twisted to see the light mark on
each cheek.  She smiled as she turned to faced me.  Putting her arms up,
clasping her fingers behind her neck, she thrust her breasts out towards
me.

   "Please?" She wheedled.  "Just two more?"

   "On your breasts?" I asked in astonishment.  "The others will be back
any moment.  Just finish dressing..."

   Lin's only response was a seductive smile and a further thrusting of her
breasts towards me.  I stared at her a moment and realized she was serious
about this odd request, and couldn't deny the swelling in my jeans. 
Something about this situation aroused me.  Without further thought, I
flicked the riding crop and struck her left nipple.  I had struck her
harder than I had intended, and the sharp snapping sound was followed by a
hiss as Lin exhaled suddenly.  She turned her right breast to me, but her
eyes were closed.  I paused momentarily and Lin opened her eye, looking at
me expectantly.  Without further thought I snapped the crop again.  This
time Lin's hiss was accompanied by a sigh, and followed by the sound of
voices at the entrance of the stable.  Lin darted to me and gave me a quick
kiss and a murmur of thanks.

   Lin began to pull on tight riding pants she had borrowed from Allie and
I watched for a moment, puzzled by the pleasure she seemed to derive from
pain and even more by my own arousal at administering it.  The voices drew
closer and I stepped out of the tack room, and greeted my daughters'
friends.

   "Welcome!" I boomed, louder than I had intended.

   "Hey, Mr.  Sutter!" Pixie greeted me.  She was accompanied by two other
girls from the night before.  They each had a knapsack and a garment bag.
"Kathryn said we could use the old tack room to change." Pixie informed me
as they all breezed past me.

   I could only hope that Lin had managed to put her bra on before they
entered.  I could hear them chatting and turned to fiddle with my camera
set up as Kathryn, Allie and Dina returned.  I had everything ready when my
wife and daughters returned.

   Allie and Dina were already dressed in their riding outfits: beige
riding breeches, tall black boots and crisp light colored shirts.  Their
hair was up and they were carrying their helmets, jackets and riding crops.
The afternoon was hot, so I suggested that they hang their jackets in the
tack room.

   After the three girls finished changing, all five of the beautiful coeds
assembled in the center aisle of the stable and looked at me expectantly. I
really had no plan and grasped for an idea.

   "All these women tacked up in riding gear and no horses?" I asked.  "I'm
not the horse person, but I'd like to get shots of each of you on or around
a horse..."

   "Your strobes might freak them out, Daddy." Allie warned.

   "Well then, let's get them out to the paddock in the back." I suggested
and handed Kathryn a large gold, handheld reflector.

   "That'll be a pretty scary monster from their perspective, but Dusty and
Dizzy are both pretty calm and it won't take long to 'monster-proof' them
to the reflectors." Allie cautioned us.

   Before long I was having a blast snapping shots of five beautiful
athletic girls grooming, leading, and riding the horses.  Beautiful girls
and big, powerful horses a very erotic theme.  I was amazed to see them
jumping hurdles while riding bareback.  It turned out they were all members
of the university's equestrian team.  Before long Dina had let her hair
down to flow in the breeze and the other girls followed suit.  The one I
called Pixie had to be reminded that we were shooting on university
property and that she'd have to keep her top on.  She snorted at the
prudery and invited us all to her father's place in Middleburg - prime
Virginia horse country.  The girls all giggled at the prospect.

   Allie noticed that Lin had held back during the whole shoot and quite
unobtrusively encouraged her to ride double with her.  It hadn't occurred
to me that Lin didn't know how to ride!

   As the shoot wound down, Pixie's suggested they give Dusty and Dizzy a
rinse with the hose to cool them down before taking them back to their
stalls.  I should have known that she had more in mind.  It wasn't long
before the horses and the girls were soaked.  Their starched riding shirts
became almost transparent and clung to their curves.  Figuring it was all
good clean fun, I kept snapping and asking them to modify or hold poses.

   Before we wrapped it up, Kathryn collected model releases and copies of
drivers licenses for proof of age.  We agreed that each of the girls would
get a DVD with all the images, and would let Kathryn know which shots they
wanted printed.

   Dina, Allie, Kathryn, Lin and I said good bye to the other girls and
went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant near campus.  Allie had changed in
the tack room, so she went into the restaurant with me, while the others
primped and changed in the RV.

   "So what's up with you and Lin?" She asked seriously when we were
seated.

   "Hmmm?" I pretended not to have heard her.

   "You and Lin...  I saw her kiss you when you arrived, just after Mom got
out of the RV.  I've noticed the chemistry.  Then Kelci said she saw in the
tack room while Lin was dressing." she continued, looking like she would
cry.  I was dumbfounded.

   "Kelci?" I asked, though the question was irrelevant to Allie's concern.

   "The one you called Pixie." She sniffled.

   "Oh..." I paused, casting about for a way to respond to my daughter, who
obviously thought she'd caught me having an affair.

   "She's my model.  I've photographed her in the nude.  There's nothing
new there.  Plus Lin's a close friend of you mother and I.  You should talk
to you mother about your concerns.  I never hide anything from her." I
assured Allie.  "Tell her exactly what you saw.  I could explain, but I
think you'll feel more confident if you hear it from her.  Everything's
okay with Mom and I.  Now cheer up and don't worry..."

   Kathryn and the other joined us shortly, and Allie's spirits seemed to
lighten.  I resolved to talk to Kathryn about Allie's discovery and leave
it to her to deal with as she saw fit.  I had a great time on the photo
shoot that afternoon, and I was leaving on my solo road trip the next day.

   *********

   "We've got some great pie.  Would you like a slice?" The waitress asked
as she cleared my plate.

   "Huh?  Oh!  No thanks.  Just the check, please." I responded.  I had
left the girls early this morning, with Kathryn's assurances that she would
handle Allie's worries.  I'd had a good lunch and I resolved once again to
put Allie's worries behind me.  I had two months and the open road ahead.

   Leaving a five dollar bill under my coffee cup, I scooted sideways out
of the booth and went to the counter to pay.  As I was turning from the
counter to leave, the young redhead was there facing me.  She had removed
the hat and wiped her tears away, but her green eyes were rimmed with red
and still glistened from a long crying jag.  Her wavy hair spilled over her
shoulders and framed a adorable face.

   "Thanks, Mister." she said sniffling.

   "For?"

   "The food."

   "Oh, it's nothing.  You needed it."

   "It's the first time an stranger did something for me."

   "I'm glad I could be the first," I said with a wink.  "I hope I am not
the last.  The waitress told me you were broke.  Would you take some cash
to get you back on the road?"

   I pressed a twenty into her hand and turned to the door, not leaving her
time to refuse.

   I paused by my Winnebago RV, with "Odyssey Photography" emblazoned on
the sides with a stylized image of Naomi blowing wind into the square sail
of a Greek galley.  I was fumbling for my keys, when I felt a presence
behind me.  I turned around.

   "Hi." She said.  "Can I ask a favor?"

   "Need a ride?" I guessed.

   "Yeah, to the nearest Greyhound station?"

   "Where are you headed?"

   "California"

   "I can drop you in Romney at the Greyhound station, if they have one,
its about 30 miles up the road.  If they don't, there'll be one somewhere
up ahead for sure."

   "Thanks!" she said with a smile, and dashed back into the cafe.  Through
the cafe window I saw her hug the waitress, talk a moment, grab her
knapsack and run out the door.

   I had the engine running when she jumped in the passenger side door. 
She had a smile on her face and a bounce in her step.

   "My mother told me never to get in a car with a stranger." she said. 
"Hi!  I'm Erin."

   "Pleased to meet you, Erin.  My name is Harrison, and whatever you do,
don't call me Harry!  So why are you disobeying your mother's advice?"

   "You bought me lunch, that was friendly.  Then you loaned me money, that
was friendly too.  I figure I can trust a guy who doesn't want anything
from me.  Amanda agreed.  Plus I trust my own instincts...  And now I know
your name, so you're not a stranger!"

   "Amanda?  You have an invisible friend that you talk to?" I said
laughing.

   "No, silly.  Amanda's that nice waitress."

   "Did she tell you that I paid for your lunch?  I told her not to tell
you."

   "Nope!  She said it was on the house.  But I figured that it wasn't a
coincidence that she served me the same thing that she served you - and at
the same time.  I almost didn't eat it."

   "Why not?"

   "I thought you'd come over and hit on me, but when you just kept eating,
I couldn't resist.  Once I ate one fry, I couldn't stop.  I hadn't eaten
since yesterday afternoon.  I was so hungry..."

   As we merged on to the westbound lane of Route 50, I glanced over at
her. She was taking off her jeans jacket and was wearing a spaghetti strap
beige knit top with a V-neck, tight jeans and cowboy boots.  Her knapsack
was at her feet.  She leaned over and pulled off her boots, stuffing her
socks into the boots.  It was clear that she wasn't wearing a bra, and I
enjoyed the view.

   "You can throw your sack in the back, if you want."

   "Its okay." she said, curling her legs up under her as she refastened
her seatbelt.  The belt went over her shoulder and tightened down between
her small breasts, accentuating their firm, uplifted shape.

   Without asking, she picked up my mp3 player and began scrolling through
my music.  When she replaced it in its cradle, John Lennon began singing
"Imagine."

   We drove on without talking, listening to Lennon's "Working Class Hero"
album as we continued down Route 50.  I flashed back to Naomi, who had put
this album on my mp3 player.  She knew that anytime an album or artist that
was not part of my normal fare popped up randomly, that I would think her.
She had good taste and was expanding my musical horizons.  With a whole
music store to choose from, I suppose that shouldn't have been surprising.
What amazed me was that two girls of Naomi's generation would know of John
Lennon, let alone choose one of his later albums.

   I couldn't help smiling as she sang along with Lennon tunes...  "Nobody
loves you when you're down and out..." She had a voice...  A really unique
and engaging voice.  She brought a country twist to Lennon's music.

   As we approached Romney, I said, "We can stop at that gas station and
ask if there is a Greyhound station."

   "Mind if I ride with you a little farther?"

   "Erin, you can ride all the way to Cortez, Colorado, or anywhere on the
way, if you're not in a hurry - I stop a lot.  I usually stop at
campgrounds, and occasionally at motels.  I have a second sleeping bag and
a tent."

   She settled back in her seat and visibly relaxed.  I should have know
that simply dropping her off at a Greyhound station, even with another
handout of cash, would be rough on her.  At the same time, if she stayed,
it had to be of her own free will.

   "Awesome!  Thanks." she shot back brightly.  "What's our itinerary? 
Where are we stopping tonight?"

   "I'd planned on stopping in Ohio, at a campground near Forked Run State
Park.  My ultimate destination is Mesa Verde, near Cortez, Arizona.  I
don't have much of an itinerary to get there.  I call this a 'blue route'
trip, meaning that I stay pretty much to the little blue roads on the map
and avoid the big inter-state highways.  Drives my wife crazy.  She's a
planner.  Needs to know where we're going to stay each night and what
restaurants will be available."

   "Cool!  You mean we're just following our noses?" She asked excitedly.

   "Pretty much.  I want to be in Cortez in 30 days.  That's about five or
six times as long as I need to get there." I explained.  "It would drive
some old OAR absolutely batty!"

   "OAR" she looked puzzled.

   "An old joke.  Obsessive Anal Retentive types.  Can't handle anything
without a plan." I laughed.  "Old?  Better retract that.  I wouldn't dare
use that adjective on her, or I wouldn't live long....  Obsessive, maybe
not..  But compared to me she is completely Anal Retentive?  But hey, I'd
be lost without her!  She keeps me organized, at least somewhat..."

   We drove on listening to tunes and enjoying each other's silent company.
Around 3:30, as we were passing through Parkersburg, I pulled in at a
parking spot in front of a grocery store.

   "I'm going to get things for dinner and tomorrow's breakfast.  I hadn't
planned on company, and don't think a dinner of canned chili is the right
way to start a new joint venture!  I know you're a coffee drinker, what
else to you like?"

   "Beggars can't be choosey." she said.  "Besides, I am an omnivore."

   "Okay, then!  Leave the shopping to me and you'll get steak and baked
potatoes."

   "Yum!  Man food!" she laughed

   I glanced down at he small knapsack.  "You can't have much in that bag.
Do you need anything?" I said nodding to the small town department store
down the street.  "Do you need a towel, or anything?"

   "I do need some things at the grocery store...  "

   "No problem.  Let's go."

   In the grocery, I bought a couple of nice steaks, potatoes, and other
fixings, while Erin went off to get what she needed.  We met back at the
check-out.  She had a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, and Kotex
pads.

   "I hope it's not too much." she said.

   "Erin, I figure that if you don't even have a toothbrush, you're going
to need some things from that Department store across the street."

   "You can't.  I can't pay.  Oh!  One more thing," and she dashed off,
only to return with laundry soap.  "I don't have clothes but I can wash
what I do have." She said with a weak smile.

   "Believe me, Erin, I don't mind.  Let's go look."

   We finished checking out, put our purchases in the back of the RV and
crossed to the store.  Entering the store was like stepping back in time to
the 50's.  Erin was clearly not going to find anything she would like
there.

   "Uh...  I do need a few things, but I can wait." She said hesitantly.

   "Hey, no problem.  We can stop at a mall somewhere tomorrow and get you
something else to wear... something that'll suit you better."

   "Cool!" she said, but as we were heading to the door, I saw her look at
the Lady Jockey display.  It was odd how it felt like was shopping with my
daughters - a nice feeling for me to re-live.  I also knew how
uncomfortable it made them feel to have Dad along on shopping trips like
this.  I pressed another twenty into her hand and said that I'd forgotten
something at the grocery.

   "Take your time.  I'll meet you at the RV." and I headed out the door.

   We met back at the van.  She had a small bag and I waved away her
attempt to give me the change.

   "My wife says a girl should always have change in her purse, just in
case."

   As we were about to get in the RV, I stopped an older gentleman passing
by and got directions to the campground, as well as to the mall in the next
town.  I had no idea where Erin was coming from, or where she was going to,
but I figured she would need more than some panties and a toothbrush to
continue her journey.

   We arrived at the campground and were assigned a space near the lake. 
Erin gamely tried to help set up the tent.  It would have been pretty funny
to watch us fumbling with the tent poles.  In fact it was lucky that no
eyes were poked out in the process.  It was a four person tent and when
offered the choice, I was relieved when Erin chose to sleep in the tent
rather than in the RV.  I was pleased by her willingness to take it - I
wanted my bed in the RV!

   As I fiddled with the grill, preparing to cook, she disappeared into the
tent.  Minutes later she reappeared in a bikini that showed her slim figure
to great advantage.  Looking at her I remembered my confusion over Naomi's
age - mistaking her for 20 when she was really only 16.

   A moment of panic seized me and Erin noticed.  "Are you okay?" she
looked concerned.

   "Yes, you just reminded of someone."

   "You looked like you'd seen a ghost.  You don't need to worry!"

   "Sorry...  Enjoy a swim, the lake looks great.  Dinner'll be in about an
hour.

   "Can I help?  I feel guilty leaving you to cook."

   "Go ahead, I enjoy making women feel guilty!" I retorted with a chuckle,
but wondered what she meant that I didn't have to worry.

   "Men!" she muttered as she walked to the small sandy beach and the
cluster of families enjoying the last hours of the warm day.

   Erin returned an hour later with an admiring group of four little girls
appearing to be between 8 and 10.  "Jeannie and Alice's mom loaned me a
towel and invited us over to make S'mores after dinner.  Can we go, Dad?"

   "Hmmm?" I feigned distraction as I processed that last word.  It made
sense that they'd assume I was her father and it saved her answering
questions.  "S'mores?  Sure, dear.  That would be nice.  Now who's Jeannie
and who's Alice and who is everyone else?"

   Introductions were made and the girls trooped off, happy that their new
friend would be coming over later.

   When they had walked out of ear shot, I said, "Dad?  I suppose it avoids
questions.  Want to fill me in on who we are and where we're going?  We
should keep our stories straight."

   She talked as she toweled her hair dry.  I watched closely, entranced by
the supple movements of her lithe body - the body of a swimmer.  "We're on
a road trip.  You're a naturalist and photographer.  You're famous for your
nature and glamour photography.  I am going along to model for you and to
check out some colleges on the way.  I am hoping to get some offers of
swimming scholarships."

   "Well the photography part is right, though, I'm not famous."

   "Your RV looks like your professional.  So, it's logical that you are
famous from your daughter's viewpoint.  I told Angela that we're on
vacation to go to a photo shoot in Colorado for you, and to look at
colleges for me."

   "Hmmm, well, I suppose that people will naturally wonder about why an
old man and a young girl are traveling together."

   "Old?" she snorted.

   I went on, "A cover story couldn't hurt and the best cover stories have
some truth to them.  Rather than each of us making up details that might
not match, Erin, step into the RV and I'll introduce you to the rest of
your family.  "

   Seated in the back, I fired up the computer, logged in to the internet
through my cell phone and brought up www.odyessyphotography.com.

   "Wow!  Your web site?  Dude!  You're good.  I was right about the famous
photographer bit!" she exclaimed.

   I clicked into the "about the photographer" pages.

   "Okay, your Mom is Kathryn, and the oriental girl is our maid and one of
my models, Lin.  The younger girl is Naomi and her mother Rebecca.  Naomi
is the 'web mistress' for my web site.  They're very dear and special
friends.  " I went on and introduced her to her older sisters, Dina and
Allie, and other assorted friends and favorite models.

   "Interesting."

   "What?"

   "Lots of beautiful women of all ages.  But, no men."

   "True.  I photograph women."

   "Is Naomi pregnant?"

   "Yes." I responded, puzzled.  And then changed the subject.  "The
potatoes should nearly be baked.  I'll get the steaks on."

   I left Erin sitting at the computer and escaped to the grill.  "Why did
women have to be so damned observant," I thought.

   "Hey, Erin!" I called from the grill a few minutes later.  "How do you
like your steak?"

   "Pink in the middle, please!" she called back.

   A moment later Erin emerged from the RV wearing one of my T-shirts over
her bikini and carrying a checked table cloth, silverware and plates.  "I
hope you don't mind...  The little closet was open and I found it on the
bottom shelf.  You said I could borrow one."

   "Erin, that shelf is the dirty laundry!  I wore that one yesterday!"

   "I know.  It's cool."

   "Let me get you a fresh one!"

   "No, it's really okay." she smiled sheepishly.  "I like it..." she
giggled.

   "Women..." I muttered, remembering that Kathryn liked to sleep in my day
old t-shirts too.  Then in an artificially bossy tone I continued.  "If we
discuss it any longer these steaks will be over-done.  Get that table set,
girl!"

   I flipped the steaks and dodged into the RV.  "You want wine with
dinner?" I called out.

   "Can I?" she responded.

   "A glass won't hurt." I responded, emerging with a bottle, an opener and
two glasses.

   Handing them to Erin, I turned to the grill and forked the steaks onto
our plates, along with a baked potato each.  "Don't tell my wife..  " I
whispered.  "No veggies."

   "Secrets safe with me!  I'm just happy to be eating.  Will you teach me
how to get the cork out of a wine bottle?"

   "Sure!  You've never opened a wine bottle before?"

   "No, we never had any alcohol in our house.  My Daddy was pretty strict,
and he only got more strict when Mother died."

   When I gave a sympathetic look of condolence, she said, "Don't be sorry
for me, she was wonderful, but she suffered from her cancer.  I just try to
remember her when she was strong."

   We sat at the picnic table and I showed her how to open the wine.  We
ate in companionable silence, and enjoyed the wine for a while as the sun
set.

   "Is this the first time you've had wine?" I asked after a while.

   "No, I had some once at a friend's house.  Daddy found out and spanked
me pretty hard, and I didn't get to go over to her house again.  That was
worst part of the punishment.  I've only had a couple of good friends and
Jennifer was the best one."

   "I never understood why parents could be so strict with their kids..."
that thought needed no answer.  We lapsed into silent eating again.

   "You're not going to ask, are you?" she asked after a while.

   "Ask what?"

   "Why I was in that cafe, alone and all..."

   "No, Erin, I figure you'll tell me what you want me to know.  But I
should ask one question.  Do you mind?"

   "I guess I kinda owe you a couple of answers.  Go ahead..."

   "How old are you?"

   "18.  Just had my birthday 3 days ago.  Want to see my license?"

   "No, I trust you.  I just didn't want to be surprised by a state trooper
following up on a missing person report and looking for a minor..."

   "Don't worry about that.  My Daddy and I have been fighting since Mom
died.  and it was the final straw when I told him that I was going to
travel with Jack to visit all those out of state schools.  Jack was the boy
friend that Daddy strongly disapproved of, and he was the one thing Daddy
was right about." she said.

   I raised my eyebrows in question.

   "I knew Jack was bad news, but I thought I could handle him.  He said he
wanted to marry me.  We were going to go to California and he was going to
work while I went to school.  I know now that I wanted away from home so
bad that I ran away to something worse."

   "What happened this morning?"

   "We left home really early in the morning.  I was hoping to avoid a
scene with Daddy.  No luck on that score.  He threw a huge fit and said he
disowned me."

   "Anyway, we got to that cafe in Augusta and stopped for breakfast.  When
Jack found out that Daddy had taken my credit card, he just took my cash
and left.  Took my suitcase with him, the bastard."

   "Do you know where he went?"

   "Back to Culpepper, I suppose.  "

   "Let's call the police there and see if we can get your stuff back."

   "No, there wasn't that much.  I don't want to look back and have
regrets. I'll get a job and make what I need.  I'll keep track of
everything you spend on me and pay you back one way or another!" she said
with a smile and reached over to squeeze my hand.

   "Don't worry about that.  I can afford it and helping people makes me
feel good.  One more thing, Erin.  I want you to call your Dad."

   "He disowned me.  And I knew that he meant it when snatched my credit
card from me."

   "Yeah, but someday he will regret it, believe me.  Just call him." and I
held out my cell phone.

   "What'll I tell him?"

   "The truth, or at least part of it.  Tell him he was right about Jack.
Tell him that you are still going on to visit the colleges, and that you're
traveling with a family that you met in West Virginia."

   "He won't care.  You don't know him.  You didn't see how pissed he was."

   "Trust me Erin, he may not think that he cares, but someday he'll
realize how much he does.  If you keep in touch with him, he'll know how to
contact you when he realizes he wants to.  You're a good kid and he's
behaving badly.  You just don't let him burn the bridges behind you."

   "You really think I should?"

   "I really do.  You can use my cell phone, or my computer to call.  I use
Skype for telephone service when I am on the road."

   "No, I have a cell phone, it'll work if he hasn't kicked me out of the
'Family Plan' already."

   "Well, if he didn't kick you off the Family Plan when he took the credit
cards, it will tell you something, won't it?"

   "Yeah, kinda."

   "I need to call my wife, Kathryn.  I want you to meet her too."

   'She's not going to go psycho about you traveling around with an 18 year
old girl?"

   "Oh, I don't think so.  She's pretty understanding, in general.  You'll
see.  She'll probably have some good advice for you too.  She's a smart
woman.  Heck, she's a woman, good advice is what she does."

   Erin smiled weakly and finished her wine.  Once we'd cleaned up the
picnic table after dinner, we went in to the RV.  She called her dad, while
I washed dishes.  She was right that he was pissed, but she followed my
script and he listened, though he said nothing after his initial out burst.
She added that she'd keep the cell phone turned on.  He could call anytime,
and she'd call him at least once a week.  All she got was a grunt at the
end when she said goodbye.  As I pointed out, that was better than getting
chewed out all over again.  A positive sign.

   Next we called Kathryn.  We used the web cam attached to the computer
and had a pretty good connection.

   "Hey Kathryn.  I want to introduce someone to you." I tugged at Erin and
brought her into view of the camera.  Kathryn smiled and attempted to
whistle, something she had never really learned to do properly.

   "So you picked up a stray?"

   Erin grimaced, and I stepped in quickly to explain the circumstance
under which we'd met.  Kathryn caught on quickly, and apologized for her
unintentionally insensitive remark, which had struck a little too close to
home.

   "Harrison, can you give Erin and I a couple of minutes alone?"

   "Uh, sure.  Want to talk about me?  Erin, only believe the good stuff
she says...  The rest of it will be lies!" I said and headed out the door.

   The couple of minutes turned into almost half an hour.  While I was
waiting a woman from the neighboring campsite came by.  She was in her late
twenties, a pretty blonde, slightly overweight, and very busty.

   "Hi!  I'm Angela, Alice and Jeannie's mom.  Jeannie's has been talking
about your daughter ever since she came back from the lake this afternoon.
You're invited over for S'mores this evening."

   "We're counting on it.  Erin's in talking on the phone."

   "Boyfriend?" Angela smile knowingly

   "No, she just broke up.  She's talking to my...  Her mom."

   "I hope my girls still talk to me when they're her age.  We're starting
the S'mores soon.  Come on over when she is off the phone."

   "We sure will."

   Erin came bounding out of the RV right after Angela left.  "Kathryn
wants to talk to you." she shouted and threw her arms around me and stunned
me with a big kiss.

   "Jeannie's mom was just over to remind us about the S'more invitation.
Why don't you go over while I talk to Kathryn?"

   "I think I'll wait for you..."

   Back in the RV, I found Kathryn and Lin waiting for me.

   "She's adorable!" Lin piped.

   "You know how to pick them," Kathryn followed up, "and she's already
totally infatuated with you."

   "What?" I blurted in response.

   "She seems strong, but you've got a fragile girl there, Harrison.  She's
been through a lot and hasn't had much support.  Just being you, you've
probably given her more than anyone has since her mother died."

   "Just like you two have done for me!" chirped Lin.

   "What should I do?"

   "Just keep being you.  And keep her with you for as long as she wants to
stay."

   "Keep her with me?  I was going to drop her at the Greyhound station
tomorrow, after buying her a couple of changes of clothes."

   "Let her go if she wants, but don't push her.  Just let her know that
she is welcome to stay."

   "And bring her back to us!" Lin said, licking her lips, and leaning over
Kathryn's shoulder and displaying her tempting cleavage.

   "You're incorrigible!" Kathryn laughed and turned and cocked her head up
to kiss Lin.

   "You two look delightful!" I said enviously.  "But I better go, we have
an invitation to the neighboring family to have S'mores with them.  Erin is
waiting."

   "Good bye, Lover" Kathryn and Lin said in unison.

   "Goodbye girls!"

   "Oh!  One more thing, Harrison!" Kathryn interjected.  "Remember, be
there for her.  You've got yourself a project.  Just follow her lead. 
She's a smart kid, with good instincts."

   "You mean..."

   "I mean, do whatever she wants.  I think she may be a virgin still.  If
she has a crush on you, and I think she does, don't let her rush that, but
don't let her down either." I couldn't figure out where Kathryn got all
this from just a short call with the girl.

   "And buy her some new clothes!  Tell her it's on me!  " Kathryn added.

   "Yes, Ma'm!" and I mock saluted her.

   We hung up, and I headed out.  The weather was still warm.  "You forgot
something in the RV.  " I said, holding up her bikini top.  "A girl with so
few clothes shouldn't leave them lying around."

   Erin blushed and dashed to her tent and put the bikini top on under the
T-shirt.  "Let's go!"

   The girls were ecstatic when Erin showed up.  They had been refusing to
start their S'more until she had joined them.  Our delay had nearly driven
them to the bursting point.  They dragged her to the picnic table, and soon
they were roasting marshmallows over the camp fire.  I sat down in a canvas
camp chair next to Angela and accepted the offer of a beer.

   "Is there a Mr.?" I inquired.

   "Divorced...  And none too soon.  "

   "Must be hard raising two girls alone."

   "Yeah, but its better then raising two girls with that total jerk, Ed,
hanging around."

   "I suppose you're right."

   Erin was a natural with the younger girls.  She had a beautiful alto
voice as she led the little girls in campfire songs.  Her voice attracted
other families, bringing a couple of guitars, a mandolin and even a fiddle.
Pretty soon we had an impromptu country jam going, with Erin singing lead
on country standards.  The twang in her voice was so natural and the
ballads she sang seemed to come from her own life.  Several boys her age
were obviously taken with her - heck, I was falling for this waif that I'd
picked up by the side of the road.  What man wouldn't.  She looked
extraordinarily sexy, appearing to be dressed only in an oversized man's
t-shirt.

   It was after 11:30 when the fire died down to embers and we walked back
to our camp site.  It felt so natural when she slipped her hand into mine
and we walked in silence.  She gave me a sweet goodnight kiss and zipped
herself into her tent.

   END ROAD TRIP CHAPTER 1

   continued at
www1.asstr.org/files/Authors/TheSpringg/Road%20Trip/Road%20Trip%2002.txt

   Please send comments and constructive criticism to TheSpringg at yahoo
dot com