OP 10

Nebraska / Bruce Springsteen










 Ally, Jack and Lead climbed back into the car and circled the neighborhood of the school. Christopher was right, on the other side of campus was a cute little neighborhood that one would never have known about coming from the other direction. It included at least two coffee shops and restaurants of foreign cuisine, a luncheonette, several up scale gift shops, a used bookstore and small movie theater that were clearly noticeable. On the far side of campus were the Middle and Lower schools, clearly detonated by their playgrounds.



“You know, this could really be fun.” Jack commented from the back. He was looking out the window as the three circled the campus, noting the playgrounds of the lower and middle schools. Lead and Ally exchanged a brief look.


“Wouldn’t it be fun to be back in high school?” Jack added.


“No.” Ally and Lead answered strongly in unison, again exchanging an uncomfortable glance each communicating the other’s surprise.


“Will you guys come visit me?” Lead asked as they were heading back into the city.


“Never.” Jack said.


“Just let us know when.” Ally answered.






“How are you going to get your stuff there?” Ally asked pulling into Jack’s driveway.


“I was just going to take a cab in the morning. I haven’t figured out how to get the habitat supplies there.”


“That’s silly. Why don’t you borrow my car? I don’t need it.” Ally shrugged. “You can drive an American car, right?” Ally asked as an after thought.


“Yeah.” Lead grinned. “But I couldn’t…” he shook his head.


“Actually…” Ally turned in her seat to face the back as the three remained seated in the car. “I can take the agency car to get Harry and Paul, and you two could take this to the Lowe’s and get the stuff you need. Then in the morning, you could go with Lead and help him unload it and meet me at work.” Ally looked at Jack for confirmation.


“That would work.” Jack nodded. “Though you just don’t want to go look at lumber.”


“That too.” Ally added brightly. The three got out of the car.


“I couldn’t ask…” Lead began to Ally as they got out.


“Don’t be silly.” Ally interrupted. “Jack has a spare key.” She shrugged “It’s no big deal, I’ll take the Agency car. “ She gestured to the beat up sedan that was parked at the curb as Jack was coming around to stand next to her.


“Are you absolutely positively sure?” Lead asked, tilting his head and meeting her eyes.


“Absolutely positively.” Ally said meeting his stare.


“Thanks.” Lead smiled, it was the same sincere, warm smile that she loved of Jack’s.


“Absolutely positive about what, exactly?” Jack questioned simultaneously pleased and bothered that Ally and Lead were getting along so well.


“You and Lead will take my car and go get stuff, then tomorrow morning you can help him. I’m going to take the junker and go get the guys.“ Ally said matter-of-factly to Jack, who nodded placing an arm around her shoulder.


“Why don’t we just take the Agency’s car, and you keep yours?” Jack asked.


“Mine’s got more room, remember?” Ally answered without missing a beat. Jack nodded, remembering the last time they had tried to move things. There was no question Ally’s car accommodated more. Jack handed her the keys to the beat up sedan.