Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Family (3)
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Afternoon rolled around, and I could sense Nancy starting to get bored.
But she didn't whine or fuss. She just quietly stared out the window.
"Nancy, wanna play a fun game?"
"What kind?"
"Twenty Questions!"
"What's that?"
I explained the rules, and she got it right away, nodding eagerly. She must've been pretty bored because her face lit up with excitement.
"Jake, I'll go first! Hmm... okay, I got one!"
"Cool. Is it alive?"
"Heehee, of course!"
"Is it an animal?"
"Ani-mal? Nope!"
"Then it's a person?"
"Yup! One, two, three... you've already asked three questions!"
For the record, the little princess's answer was "Mom."
We kept at Twenty Questions until we rolled into Colorado.
"Whoa! The mountains are huge!"
The Rockies came into view in the distance. Nancy's mouth hung open.
"Jake, what's that white stuff up there?"
"Snow."
"...In summer?"
"Yup. High peaks like that have snow year-round."
"Awesome... this is so awesome!"
By dusk, we pulled into a campground on the outskirts of Denver.
"Alright, this is our spot for the night."
"Here? It's just dirt..."
"Yep. We're pitching a tent and camping out."
"Whoa! I've only seen tents on TV! Real camping!"
The site was cozy, nestled among pine trees. A cool mountain breeze swept in from afar.
I pulled out the tent, and Nancy came running over.
"I'll help!"
She grabbed the tent straps with her tiny hands and tugged away. Not much help, but her grunting efforts were adorable.
"Whoa, with Nancy helping, it's going up fast!"
"Really? Am I doing good?"
"You're the best!"
Once the tent was up, Nancy kept darting in and out.
"It feels like a real house! We sleep in here?"
"Fun, right?"
"Yeah! I'm telling Mom all about it!"
I started prepping dinner, firing up the camping burner and setting out some basic cookware.
"Whatcha making?"
"Something special. Camping deluxe!"
I fried up bacon, scrambled some eggs, and toasted bread for sandwiches.
"Ooh, smells amazing!"
"Haha, food always tastes better at camp. C'mere."
I built a campfire right in front of her watchful eyes. Mesmerized by the flames she'd never seen up close, the little princess couldn't look away.
"Jake... the fire's dancing."
"Pretty, huh?"
"Yeah! And warm!"
I handed her a fresh sandwich amid her nonstop grins. Then I unveiled my secret weapon: marshmallows.
"We're roasting these too."
"You roast marshmallows?"
"Best part of camping."
I skewered one on a stick and passed it to her.
"Hold it close to the fire and turn it slow."
Nancy roasted her first one carefully... and it came out charred black.
"Eek! Ruined..."
"No worries. I burned mine every time at first."
The second one was perfect, golden brown. She cheered at the sight.
"I did it!"
"Great job!"
We munched marshmallows while stargazing. The sky was packed with stars you could never see in the city.
"So many stars... I had no idea."
"City lights drown 'em out."
"Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are~"
Nancy started singing, her clear voice echoing through the campground.
"You sing great!"
"Mom taught me. She's really good."
"Yeah?"
"Uh-huh. She wanted to be a singer in LA."
I think this was the first I'd heard about Dorothy's dream.
"But she couldn't because of me."
"Nancy, don't think like that. Mom's happiest because she has you."
"Heehee, I know. She says I'm her best gift ever."
That's when another camper approached with two kids in tow.
"Hi! Mind sharing some marshmallows? Forgot ours."
"Sure thing. Take plenty."
"Thanks! Your daughter's adorable."
"Haha, she's my niece."
"Oh, gotcha. If it's cool, could she play with our kids?"
The two—maybe eight and ten—came over to Nancy.
"Wanna play?"
Nancy glanced at me.
"Go have fun. It'll be a blast."
"Really? Be right back!"
They started hide-and-seek. Nancy's laughter rang out across the site. When she returned, her cheeks were flushed.
"Have fun?"
"Yeah! Made friends!"
"Awesome."
Bedtime. I unrolled the sleeping bags inside the tent.
"Jake?"
"Yeah?"
"Today's the best day ever."
"Really?"
"Uh-huh. Most fun since I was born."
"Tomorrow'll be even better."
"...Promise?"
A pause, then another question.
"Jake, am I good?"
"Of course. Why?"
"Mom says I gotta be good, or you'll hate me."
"You don't have to be good for me, Nancy. I like you just as you are."
"...Really?"
"Totally."
She let out a relieved little sigh.
"Jake?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"Everything..."
Soon, her breathing evened out into sleep. Wind rustled outside with crickets chirping. Peaceful night.
Next morning, Nancy woke first.
"Jake! Wake up! Birds are singing!"
"Already up?"
"Yeah! Birdsong woke me. First time hearing it. Heehee."
We grabbed a quick breakfast and headed into Denver. While I unloaded at the warehouse, she waited in the truck.
"Not bored?"
"Nah. Watching you work is fun."
"Want my phone for TV?"
"I'm good. Your job's more interesting."
When I got back, she was drawing.
"Whatcha got there?"
"Our camping trip! Tent here, campfire there, stars everywhere!"
The paper was crammed with stars. Crude, but full of heart.
"Looks great!"
"Showing Mom. She'll wanna come too."
Lunch was pizza at a spot downtown.
"Pizza!"
"You like it?"
"Love it! But it's pricey, so not often."
Watching her beam over a slice twisted my gut a bit.
"Eat up."
"Can I take leftovers?"
"I'll buy more."
"No, this is yummy. Want it for dinner too."
We boxed up the rest. On the way back, we hit another campground—this one by a lake.
"Whoa! Water!"
"Haha, swim?"
"No swimsuit..."
"C'mon, just dip your feet."
She tiptoed to the edge. The cold water made her squeal.
"Eek! Cold! Tickles!"
Tiny fish nibbled her toes.
"Fish eating my feet!"
"Tickly, right?"
"Yeah! Fun!"
After splashing around, back to the tent. This time, Nancy insisted on dinner duty.
"I'll help!"
"Sweet. What'll you do?"
"Um... wash this!"
She scrubbed the pot with care. It was already clean, but I just smiled without saying.
"Good at dishes, huh?"
"Help Mom a lot."
Dinner: instant ramen and rice balls.
"Whoa! Tasty but spicy!"
"How's it hit, kiddo? Korean food."
"Mom should make it more. Yum!"
Another campfire. She snuggled close.
"Jake?"
"Yeah?"
"Is Mom struggling?"
The question caught me off guard.
"Why ask?"
"She always looks tired. Cries sometimes."
"Yeah?"
"Uh-huh. Thinks I don't know, but I do."
Heavy stuff for a six-year-old.
"Mom works hard 'cause she loves you."
"I know. That's why I try to be good."
"You're good enough already."
"Gonna be even better. So she's less tired."
My nose stung.
"Just having you gives her strength."
"Really?"
"Really."
We sat quietly under the stars.
"Jake?"
"Yeah?"
"We're family, right?"
"Duh."
"When I grow up, I'll make lotsa money and help you and Mom."
"Yeah?"
"Uh-huh. Gonna be a doctor. They make bank."
Last time it was trucking like me. Kids' dreams change fast, huh. I chuckled and ruffled her hair.
"...Noble dream."
"Then we can all live in a big house."
Her pure wish hit hard.
Last night in the tent, she asked,
"Gotta go tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Mom's waiting."
"...Can't stay longer?"
"Don't miss her?"
"I do. But... I like here too."
"We'll come back."
"Promise?"
Pinky swear. Fist bump, as always.
"Promise."
Monday morning, back in Texas. Dorothy was waiting at the trailer park. Double shifts had worn her out.
"Mommy!"
Nancy flew into her arms.
"My little one! Was it fun?"
"So much! Epic! Camped, saw stars, roasted marshmallows!"
Dorothy looked at me. Her weary eyes softened.
"Jake... thank you so much."
"No biggie."
"She wasn't a handful?"
"Nah. I had more fun."
Nancy showed off her drawing.
"Mom, look! I drew it!"
"Wow, amazing!"
"Next time, you come too!"
Dorothy gave a wry smile.
"Mommy has work."
"After work, we all go. Anytime, right?"
I chimed in.
Dorothy met my eyes. Mixed emotions there.
"Yeah... someday."
Nancy grabbed my hand.
"Jake, camping again! You promised!"
"Did."
Heading home, I stuck her drawing on the dash.
Starry sky, little tent, campfire. Three figures: Nancy, Dorothy, me... At the bottom, "Our Family" in wobbly letters.
Sam might get jealous seeing this.
Phone buzzed as I vowed to keep it truck-only. Text from Dorothy.
[Dorothy: Thank you so much. Nancy's over the moon. Best trip ever, she says.]
[Me: She made it fun for me too.]
[Dorothy: Good tips this week. Rent's covered next month.]
[Me: Great news.]
[Dorothy: So glad I have family. XD]
Yeah, family. Not by blood, but by choice.
Back at the trailer, I crashed into bed. Nancy's laughter still echoed in my ears. Earning cash matters, but these memories? Priceless.
Tomorrow, solo on the road again. But no loneliness. Family's always waiting.