Page 11 of Nomad

“Sage advice. It’s not Medieval literature or Mandarin Chinese or special education.”

“Why not?”

“Because you added details to throw me off. If it was one of those things you would have just said literature, Chinese, or education.”

“Huh.”

He smiled inwardly, knowing that response meant he was right. “So that leaves seven. There’s nothing laughable about computer programming or architecture or astronomy. So that leaves four possibilities. Zoology. That might be funny. Theater. Definitely funny. Psychology. A lot of people, including me, think that’s funny. But I’m going to guess city planning.”

She gasped. “How did you do that? Are you like psychic or something?”

He smiled. “Just worked it out logically.”

“No. No. No.” She was shaking her head. “You didn’t just work it out logically. There’s more to it than that.”

He glanced out the window. “I’ve been on the road for a long time. Mostly alone. Lots of people-watching. I guess I picked up some instincts.”

“Instincts.”

“Yes. My instincts about you say city planning.”

“Why?”

“Well, for one thing, being seventeen and completely without support or resources, but determined to keep a baby the dad doesn’t want? That means you’re optimistic about the future. I think city planners need to be optimistic about the future.”

“Wow.” She put the rest of her sandwich in the sack and settled back with the French fries. “So why have you been on the road? Alone?”

“Long story. Maybe another time. You want to drive for a while?”

“Um. Sure?”

“You do know how to drive, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have a license.”

“I do. I really do. I’ve just never driven on the highway.”

Cann slowed down and pulled over. “Well, little mama, it’s high time you did.”

Five minutes later, Bud’s seat and mirrors were adjusted and she was pulling back on the highway.

The two-lane State road between Lubbock and Sweetwater wasn’t heavily traveled. An occasional pickup truck or tractor were the only interruptions to a fairly constant landscape.

“You can go faster than forty?”

“You sure?” she asked.

He snorted softly. “You’ve really never driven a car faster than this?”

“First time,” she affirmed.

“Well, at this pace, we’re not gettin’ to Austin until tomorrow.”

She took a deep breath. “You’re taking our lives into my own hands.”

“You ever play video games?”

“Yeah. Sure.”

“Then I’m not worried. Just gradually increase your speed until you feel comfortable goin’ faster.”