Page 69 of Places We've Never Been

CHAPTER 17

A bison welcomed us to Yellowstone National Park (thirty-five hundred miles of wilderness sitting on top of a volcanic hot spot, at least that was what the brochure we were handed on arrival read). It didn’t wave or even glance our way, but the huge creature sauntered into the road in front of our RV and stopped, forcing us to come to a halt. I had been in the passenger seat for the last several hours, giving Mom extra love but figuring out no extra facts.

Ezra appeared between us, curious why we had stopped. “Whoa. It’s huge.”

“It’s cool,” I said. “But I thought they wandered in packs.”

“Packs?” Ezra said.

“Herds?” I asked.

“I think they do,” Mom said. “Maybe he’s looking for his friends.”

“In the middle of the road?”

“Honk at it,” Ezra suggested.

“We were told not to harass the wildlife. This is their home,” Mom said. “We’ll just wait.”

“But what about our schedule?” Ezra asked in faux distress.

“You’re such a smart aleck.”

“I think you meant a different word but I appreciate you censoring your language for Norah’s underage ears.”

I backhanded Ezra across the stomach as my gentle reminder that we were supposed be giving Mom more love.

Ezra sat on me.

“Get off. You’re crushing me.” I tried to push his back but it was useless, so I changed up my tactic and hugged him around the waist instead.

He slapped at my hands on his stomach and stood up.

“I win,” I said.

He leaned on the dashboard. “How long do you think it’s going to stay there?”

“As long as it wants to,” Mom said.

I laughed and pulled out my camera, snapping a few pics for Paisley. “Ezra, go out there and try to scare it away. I’ll recordyou.”

He moved toward the door as if he thought I was serious.

Mom grabbed hold of his arm. “That is a wild animal. You will not leave this vehicle.”

“Mom, it was a joke. We were joking. That thing would eat me for breakfast.”

“Okay, good. I thought I’d raised smarter kids than that.”

“You didn’t,” I said.

“Yeah, you did a pretty poor job,” Ezra said.

Mom laughed, which felt like a victory.

Somebody in a car in the opposite lane laid on their horn. The bison shifted, facing that car.

“Oh, shiz,” Ezra said. “Are we about to see some property damage?” But instead of ramming the tiny Corolla, the bison walked onto the grass on the other side.