Page 127 of Property of Bob

“More like I feared for my life. This thing pulls to the left if you’re not paying attention.”

“I think you are being a little bit dramatic,” I laughed. “Or maybe you just don’t know how to drive a fine piece of machinery.”

“It’s a piece of something, and it drives like a fucking school bus.”

“She is majestic,” I insisted.

Bob was laughing beside me.

I pointed at him. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”

He held up his hand. “I am.”

“This is my home. It just so happens to be on wheels, and I can drive it wherever I want.”

That was exactly what it was. Wherever I parked it, that was home. I could wake up in Iowa one morning and Wisconsin the next. If I didn’t like where I was, I turned the key and went somewhere else. Assuming the damn thing started. Which, supposedly, it did now.

Bob nodded. “I like that your home died in the island parking lot.”

I liked it, too. “Let’s go.” I tugged him toward the RV and climbed behind the wheel. Bob got in the passenger side, and it felt right having him right next to me. I cranked down my window and leaned out to look at everyone gathered around.

“Everybody in!” Shay yelled.

“Jesus Christ,” Prime muttered.

The RV rocked as everyone started climbing inside.

I looked in the rearview mirror to see Pearl and Shay immediately headed farther back like they were touring a luxury bus instead of an old RV with a shower barely big enough to turn around in. Prime followed Shay while Anchor stepped inside and looked around.

“I love this thing,” Pearl called.

“Thank you!” I chirped. “I love it, too.”

Piney was the last one on, with Cross and Lost deciding to stay on land—saying something about they’re needing to be survivors to search the wreckage—before the door slammed shut.

Bob buckled up and looked over at me. “Start your house, doll.”

I turned the key. The engine sputtered once. “Come on, baby.”

Bob looked at me.

“Don’t,” I whispered. “She just needs a little bit of encouragement.” The engine turned over, and I slapped both hands against the steering wheel. “Yes!”

A cheer came from behind us.

Prime’s voice rose above everyone else’s. “Why the fuck are we cheering?”

“Because we’re supportive!” Shay yelled.

“Or we need hobbies,” Pearl giggled.

I laughed and shifted into drive. “Everybody hold on.”

Bob reached for the dashboard. “Why did you say that?”

I smiled at him.

“Ramona.”