Free Road Trip by Gary Paulsen Page A

happen with the offer?” I ask.
    “I think,” he starts to say, and then, because I can read the look in his eye, we finish the sentence together, “it’ll all work out.”
    Theo and Gus barge into our room like they own the place, Mia and Atticus on their heels.
    “What’s the matter with you people, not locking your door? Don’t you know there are lunatics out there who’ll rob you and kill you and hide your bodies under the mattress?” Gus says before he makes himself at home, propped up with pillows on my bed. He whistles to Atticus, who curls up at his side.
    “We couldn’t sleep,” Theo explains.
    “Too quiet and lonely,” Mia agrees.
    “Glad we’re all together,” Gus says. “I’ve been thinkin’. Got an announcement.”
    I look at Dad, Theo, and Mia and see I’m not the only curious one.
    Gus wags his finger at Mia. “Yer crazy if ya think yer goin’ back ta the kind of life where ya play cards with the likes of that Bobby character. I don’t know where yer folks are or what ya think yer doin’, but I’m steppin’ in now. Ya need someone ta keep an eye on ya. I’m no kin ta ya, I know, but I don’t hold truck with the crazy life ya got goin’. Okay with me if ya wanna talk silly energy field this or that, but ya gotta get a job where decent people spend their money, and you’re gonna get an education. Do whatever you want after that. Read tarot cards at the county fair if ya wanna. Only yer gonna have some schoolin’.”
    “Go on.” I’d have thought Mia would put Gus in his place for talking to her like that, but she’s intrigued. Me too.
    “I’ve got a lady friend—” Gus pauses and blushes. “Runs a diner. She’s always lookin’ fer good help. Rents out an apartment over her garage. Good place; I did the wirin’. Once you’ve got a new job, new apartment, you can save fer school.”
    “I’d love that,” Mia says. “Actually … I told you I had roommates, but I’ve been couch surfing the past couple of months. My roommate and I couldn’t make rent and lost our apartment. I’d rather drink my own pee than move back home. And … maybe … You’re right. I’ve been thinking about school.… I’m tired of auditions and rejections. The experience I’ll get incollege productions will help me when I turn professional later, right?”
    We all nod even though no one knows if that’s true. Atticus isn’t the only one who wants to keep Mia around.
    Then Gus turns to Theo, clears his throat, and bellows like a drill sergeant, “Minute we get back ta town, you an’ me are gonna go see whoever it is ya need ta see about this time ya gotta do. Yer gonna get that hardware outta yer face”—he points to Theo’s eyebrow piercing—“and pull up yer trousers, because no one wants ta see yer drawers. You’ll do yer time like a man. Then yer gonna clean up yer act if I have ta kick yer keister every step of the way.”
    “Thanks, Gus, that’s really nice of you.” Theo’s all red in the face, but he’s smiling.
    “I’m not nice.” Gus harrumphs. “What’s that silliness on your arm?” He points to Theo’s wrist.
    “It’s a tattoo. Or a prototype. Figure I’ll have it made permanent when I’ve done my time. A reminder.”
    “What is it?” Mia asks. We all lean forward and he shows us what he’s drawn: a flying bus next to a grinning black and white dog.
    Mia laughs. “Draw it on my ankle, maybe I’ll have it made permanent, too.” Theo turns red again when she puts her foot in his lap, and his hand shakes a little as he starts to draw.
    “Then me,” I say. “Go old-school, right on my bicep.”
    Theo draws tattoos on Mia and me while Gus and Dad look for something to watch on TV. They find an old movie about a guy trying to get somewhere and not doing a great job of it.
    “By comparison, our trip has been relatively peaceful. It’s all a matter of perspective,” Dad explains to Gus. Atticus raises his head, looks at me, and yawns. He’s