There were definite troubles with the Bible belt. Once they got away from Memphis radio stations, most were Christian stations with a religious ‘flavor’ to them. Neither really minded that kind of music, but Hyatt was not as up to being faithful since the loss of his parents, and Chris had lost his when he saw the horrors that happened in the Middle East. They were a pair, to be certain.

 

The trip from Memphis toward Little Rock, Arkansas was pretty quiet. Both men were thinking and working out how to continue the trip. They both also concentrated on the highways. Most of the Arkansas highway was clear, but there were places where only one of the lanes was clear. The snow plows were clearing one lane at a time so there was at least some passage.

 

“This snow looks like shit.” Chris said. “Sorry. It is just so muddy and gray. Not exactly conducive to a happy mood.”

 

Hyatt had been looking away from the road where the unmolested snow was still pristine and blue-white. “Huh?” He said, being pulled from his thoughts.

​

“I was saying the snow on the road looks awful.”

​

“Oh. Yeah.” Hyatt said. He was being particularly quiet, which bothered Chris a bit. He had gotten used to the younger man’s conversations during the previous day’s ride. He wondered what could be wrong with him.

​

“Hyatt?” He asked.

​

“Yeah?”

​

“Is everything alright?”

​

“Oh. Yeah.” Hyatt said, but his cheeks turned pink.

​

“Come on, man. We’ve got a long trip, made longer with all this winter weather. I’d like to know something about the guy I’m dragging with me across the country. Plus, it’ll help keep me awake and my mind more alert.”

​

“I’d rather not talk about it.” Hyatt said. The fact was that Hyatt was still a bit embarrassed by his behavior of the night before. He was ashamed that he had thought Chris might be cruel enough to leave him behind. He was bothered that he was so upset that he’d needed Chris to hold him the entire night to keep him calm. He was really angry with himself for forgetting his card key at the motel and nearly freezing to death.

​

“Okay. If you change your mind…” Chris left it open.

​

“Alright.” Hyatt replied. He took a minute and came up with some questions for Chris, though. “So…how was that whole boot camp experience? I heard that basic training is awful.”

​

Chris grinned and nodded. “It’s weeks of hell. Wouldn’t have changed my mind even if I’d know what I’d be doing before I left to go do it.”

​

“Really? Hell, but you liked it?”

​

“Who can complain? Three squares most days. Sleep most nights. Clothes and a roof, and sometimes a soft-ish bed to sleep on. I got in great physical shape, I made some great friends. I learned a whole shit-load of stuff. Wouldn’t have traded a day.”

​

“You learn to shoot in there?”

​

“Nope. Knew how to shoot, already. But it isn’t the same. My dad taught me to shoot when we would go deer hunting. Not anything like shooting an automatic rifle. I loved it. I was rated Sharpshooter. That’s the best.”

​

“Do you have a gun?” Hyatt asked, then.

​

“Yep. Is that a problem?”