Almost Home

Everyone got breakfast and gathered their stuff; Renee was trying to figure out how to surprise the kids with the horses and goat Jake told her about. Putting the thought in the back of her head for now, "hey Jake, what kind of snacks do you like?" she asked, grabbing a little basket from the stack by the door. Jake smiled, "I will come with you" he grabbed the basket from her. They went inside and gathered a bunch of things, even got some cool little toys and fidgets to keep everyone occupied. Once back at the vehicles everyone got in the designated spots, this time Renee climbed in behind the boys to give them their goodies. As much as she hated moving in these things she made her way to the front, "hey when we get there is when I want to surprise them with those animals." she giggled sitting down and buckling up. She had no idea what she was getting herself into, but she did know one thing, this was a new life. Leaving by 8 in the morning, they spent the next seven and a half hours on the road, making only a few stops for gas, or restroom, a few sightseeing attractions. Leaving them with just a few more to go, they finally stopped in Oklahoma, got some gas, and stretched their legs. Renee walked up to Oscar and Benny handing them some burgers she snagged at the last stop, "the microwave is in there and free to use at the moment if you two are hungry, after we should plan the last stretch." She smiled, handing the food over, after their thanks, they headed to the RV to heat their food. Nate and LJ were inside grabbing another drink, they always go through snacks and drink. Renee was about to head inside when she felt someone grab her on her ass, "who the he-" she stopped spinning around, it was Jake. When did he get out of the RV? She let out a playful laugh and pushed him, "you startled me Jake, you can't do that." They laughed and went to get the kids.



Once everyone was back at the RV enjoying a quick bite to eat Jake asked what Renee was wondering, "well fellas, do you want to drive the last few hours then rest, or do you want to rest then go?" The two men were finishing their food, in silence, looking at each other. They were an odd pair but a great duo, Renee felt comfortable around them and felt she could trust their judgement. She watched them as they had this "silent conversation" when she heard Benny say, "oh you lose O, you got to drive!" Everyone started laughing, Renee was a little confused but took that as they wanted to drive. "I take it as you are driving the rest of the way Oscar?" Jake asked, catching his breath. Oscar nodded his head, "yup seems like I blinked first so the rest of the way it is." Renee was excited, she tried not to show it, but Jake seemed to notice, he reached his hand out and grabbed hers, "almost got you there, your new life." She smiled, as excited as she was, she was also equally as nervous. A lot could go wrong, also, how was she going to handle a farm alone? Everyone got their walks in, food requests in, and they all agreed on a restaurant nearby, a buffet. They made their way to the restaurant and found a spot near the back to park, Renee got the kids out and met the guys by the door, "who's hungry?" she asked, walking up. Everyone yelled at me while laughing, Benny held the door for everyone, "let's go guys I am starved, and they smell amazing." Renee laughed walking in last, "you are right there, they do smell good. I cannot wait to see our options.” The two of them laughed as they headed in, they found their booth along the windows and sat down. They were looking over a menu that the host gave them, a meat menu, you could get certain things ordered to the table that was not out already, like steaks and burgers.



After looking over the menu, their server, a young boy who could not be but a few years older than Nate walked up, "Hi I'm Ron and I will be helping you for the evening. I got your steak orders put in and if you would like I can get your drinks for you so you can go straight to the buffet, you guys look like you have been on the road." He said with a smile. Renee spoke up for them, "Hey Ron, thank you in advance, if you want to help that is fine, me and you can do it, they can go pig out. Yes, we are moving here from Virginia, been a long ride." She smiled back at him, everyone stood up and took off to the food. She and the young boy walked over to the drink machine and got everyone their drinks, "hey Ron can I ask you something personal?" Renee said. He nodded his head, "what is your dream job if you don't mind me asking and what's something you want to accomplish right now in life?", taken by her question Ron took time to think about it, he was just a young adult what did he want to do? Ron finally realized, "I want to help my mom pay off her property tax and go back to school to be a veterinarian, she owns a farm and is selling her animals so she can pay it off and I wish she did not have to do that, and if I could go to school I can help her care for them, I work a lot and have been saving up but she doesn't know that. I want to surprise her for Christmas or her birthday." Ron blushed realizing he was ranting, Renee smiled at him and said, "well Ron, I think you will do a great job at the schooling, and as for your mother, write her information down I think I know someone who can help her for now, maybe put a small payment or a pause with the bank. Either way I know who can help her." They smiled and carried the drinks to the table; Renee thanked him before heading to get her some of this delicious smelling food. "Hey mom, you have got to try their rolls, they are amazing" Nate said walking up to her with two plates. She laughed at how he loved bread as much as she did, " They look good and fluffy, I will grab some for sure." They walked over and finished making their plates and went to sit with the others. Everyone ate and enjoyed their food, talked, laughed, and talked about the new house. After everyone had their share of amazing hot food, they paid their bill and headed out, "hey you guys go head I got to go thank Ron" she said walking back to the table where Ron was grabbing their dishes. "Hey kid, I wanted to give this to you." She pulled out her wallet and gave him 200 dollars. Renee could see that he was hesitant about it, "Look, the person I told you about has enough money to help, this is nothing to give away for a good reason" Ron hugged her before he could say anything, "thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to me" he had no idea that she did in fact know what it was like to lose things you love for something so simple as money.



Renee got Rons information and promised him an update soon and left. Renee felt good about this, all that money she has been waiting for, she knows how to use it. She always wanted to help people in positions that were hard to escape, help change someone's life, and now knew where to start. Once she was in the RV Jake could not help but ask, "what is his story?" She did not know he was watching them talk and she told him what Ron had said. Jake looked at Renee and knew what she was thinking, "how are we helping them?" Renee could not help but smile hearing this, "well I gave him a nice tip and told them we knew someone with some money to help, he gave me their information and when we get home that's one my list of things to do." Life for her changed, so why not for him? Renee felt Jakes hand on her leg, she blushed at his touch, still not used to this. On the road again, they were almost there when the tire blew. "Damn it" Jake yelled, pulling over on this soon to be dark back road. Renee followed him out of the vehicle to inspect the tire, "do you have a spare?" she asked looking at their surroundings, roughly 45 minutes from their new house.