Free Drive and Determination by Kara Louise

“Elyssa, if you’re one who is used only to the finest things in life, you might not find it to your liking. It’s a very rural village.”
            Elyssa laughed. “Believe me; I am not afraid of roughing it. I really would like to see it. George thought perhaps he could take me.”
            John and Shelley exchanged glances. “I am sure he would. Elyssa, just make sure…”
            At that moment there was a knock at the door and it slowly opened. George peered his head in. “I’m back!
            He came striding in, greeted the Walkers, and saw the pot sitting on a table. He lifted the lid and sniffed its contents.
            “Mmmm, this smells good. Nothing better than the Walkers’ chili.”
            The Walkers smiled and before long excused themselves to get back to their guests.
            George eagerly turned to Elyssa. “Are you ready for a break? If you are, I have a surprise for you.”
            “You do? What?”
            “When I left the office, the volcano was steaming. We can’t see it from here. We’ll have to drive a few miles to get out to the other side of the hill to get a good view.”
            “That sounds great. Let me put a few things away and then we can be off!”
            George briskly rubbed his hands together. Things were progressing just as he planned!
    *~*~*
                William Denton gathered up his briefcase as his meeting with Jenkins came to a close. They had met in his favorite restaurant just across the street from the Pemberleo Coffee offices and henow anxiously waited for the light to turn green so he could cross the busy street. He looked at his watch and figured if the jet was ready within the hour, he would get into Guatemala at a reasonable time. He hurriedly crossed the street and entered the building, taking the elevator up to his office. He walked in to find Mrs. Reed on the phone.
            He waited for her to finish the call and then asked her when the jet would be ready. 
            “I’m so sorry, Sir, but there is a slight problem.”
            Will listened in frustration as Mrs. Reed relayed to him the news that the jet was having some repairs done. Most likely it would not be ready for his use until first thing the next morning.
            He almost uttered those words he disliked so much, “Book me on a commercial flight,” but thought better of it. He disliked flying commercially almost as much as he disliked attending funerals or social functions with people he didn’t know. No, he would wait one more day and hope that Westham would not have the audacity to do anything reckless!
    *~*~*
                Elyssa did not realize how much she would enjoy getting away from the house. It had been an emotionally draining day and she looked forward to seeing a little bit of the city. As they drove along the streets of Guatemala City, Elyssa could not believe the difference from last night, when there had been hardly any traffic. Now, the streets were heavily crowded with cars zooming in and around each other at frightening speed!
            “Driving in this would definitely take some getting used to!”
            “I am sure you would do fine, Elyssa. I would be glad to give you a personal driving lesson if you want to give it a try.”
            “Oh, no! I have no intention of driving these streets! I won’t be here that long, anyway.”
            Elyssa smiled and George returned one. It made him feel good to know that he was able to cheer up someone as grief stricken as Elyssa.
            She could now see the city below her. It was a sprawling city and she was amazed how large it was.
            The area in which the PC complex was situated was in a