Chapter 11

Thursday

WAKE UP,JOSH,”Jake said.“We just crossed the North Carolina line.

“Good,”Josh said.“We’ll be home in a bit more than an hour.Need me to drive for awhile?”

“I’m good.In fact,I’m enjoying it.”

“Really?”

“Sure.It’s been three years since I’ve driven a car,and I didn’t realize how muchI’d missed the experience.”

“This old van hardly qualifies as a car.”

“Be that as it may.”

“Knock yourself out,then.Meanwhile,I need to let them know we’re here.”

“The antenna is lying flat on the roof.”

“Yeah,but at this distance,the regular radio antenna works.”

“Oh.”

Josh turned on the radio,waited a minute,then picked up the mike.“Josh to base.Josh to base.”

“Come in Josh.I’m getting a strong signal,so you must be close.”

“ETA in an hour,give or take.Josh over and out.”

“Copy that.Base over and out.”

“You guys don’t waste a lot of breath on the air,do you?”Jake said.