**** Chapter Thirteen – Road Trip Night One ****

Mila took to the truck like a pro, when I opened the back door she hopped right in and sat on the seat looking around with that big, goofy grin on her face. It was nice looking in the side mirror on the short trip back to the campground, that happy, face-in-the-wind look was something only a dog could pull off. My arrival back at the campground was interesting. I backed the truck in near to the trailer’s storage room doors to make the off-loading job easier, grabbed Mila’s leash and took her out to meet our travelling companions.

Mila’s happy, “Gosh, it’s so nice to meet you” attitude won Sonya over in an instant; but Matilda first scurried over to the pickup and set her big bag carefully down in the back seat. She then came over and with a genuine smile (something I don’t think I’d seen out of Matilda yet) greeted Mila. As happy as she seemed to be to meet Mila the initial scurrying somehow didn’t make sense.

The breeder had provided me with a few essentials for Mila including a leash, a long tether and the like. Mila was still new with us and we couldn’t be sure she wouldn’t bolt back to her pack so I tethered her to the trailer with food and water and we turned our focus to the supplies in the truck. It took almost two hours to unbox, sort and stow all of the supplies. The pile of packing detritus in the back of the truck was quite impressive and the afternoon was fading towards evening. Matilda had disappeared back inside of the trailer.

I mentioned going to get food for dinner, Sonya merely shook her head and pointed to a small pile of superstore bags filled with plastic wrappings and other shelf-goods wrappings. The quick explanation was that internet taxis were easy to use and she had made a quick grocery run. The sound of the gas stove firing up confirmed that Matilda was busy putting together a meal. What could I say? I directed her to our new portable camping table and chairs and asked her to set them up under the trailer’s awning; I grabbed my new tent out of storage and went about setting up my sleeping quarters.

I had the tent up and was working on my cot when Sonya popped her head and announced that she had finished, I asked her to visit the campground office and see if there was anyplace we could deposit our truck bed full of shipping trash. By the time I’d finished setting my room Sonya had returned with the news that we could use their dumpster; I suspected she had sweet talked the young male clerk but I didn’t mind.

By the time we returned from cleaning out the bed of the truck Matilda had our dinner on the table. We washed up and sat down to eat, the simple dinner of potatoes with sausage and peppers smelled wonderful. Matilda took her bowl and headed for the truck, I said “NO” quite loudly and pointed to her spot at the table. She shook her head at me and turned to go when I again spoke loudly “Sit. Eat”; Matilda shrugged her shoulders and joined us at the table.

The food was amazing, the weather was delightful and even Mila lying on a blanket near the table seemed happy. It was our first time eating together and perhaps our first moment of relaxation in weeks.

The meal complete, Matilda began clearing up, Sonya rose to help her but a word from me stopped her. It was time for business and I sent her into the trailer to gather our laptops. While Sonya pulled our IT out and set it up on the table I moved the TV from inside the trailer to the outer wall mounts under the awning; it wasn’t a difficult or time-consuming operation and modern flat screens are feather lite. By the time Matilda re-emerged from the trailer we were set up and ready to go, Matilda was headed for the truck when I spoke out again and told her: “Sit, Listen”. Down she sat.

I went into the walk-in fridge and grabbed three beers; we could have a beverage while we worked. Neither of the ladies objected so we all had a beer while we went over our itinerary. Sonya and I took turns casting from our laptops to the big screen, it was much easier to work on things when we both saw the same information. We started with our route map and planned destinations, I projected the map and then Sonya would take over and project the particulars of each stop. Matilda sat and watched with wide eyes; I’m not sure how much she understood but I was never sure of anything with Matilda.

After we had finished with the current trip schedule we bade “Goodnight” to Matilda, she merely nodded and left for the back seat of the truck. Our beers were empty so I decided we could have night cap while we finished up, I grabbed a bottle each of wine and bourbon and two glasses. (The wine was sweet white spring wine if you must know, for it was springtime and that is what you drink in the spring.) As we sipped Sonya started going over some minor business details we had neglected the past few days, the heavy work could wait for tomorrow – it was time to wind down.

As we relaxed and calmly discussed some of the minor details Matilda emerged from the back seat of my truck, walked over and disappeared into the trailer’s storage room. Sonya and I shared a curious look and then sat back to watch. A moment later Matilda re-emerged with blankets, pillow and linens under arm. She carefully closed and latched the storeroom door and then disappeared into the back seat of the truck once more.

I looked to Sonya and said, “This will not do.”

Sonya giggled a little wine giggle and replied, “I know.”

“Look”, I said, “no matter how clean and fastidious Matilda is the truck will start to smell if she sleeps in there”.

Sonya was already operating her computer mouse, “I know”, she replied, “I found another tent just like yours, and it will be in Flagstaff by the time when we get there tomorrow.” She added “Hush now and let me order the rest of her bedroom.”

A moment later Sonya looked up and commented, “I think Matilda is going to be with you for a while, you didn’t sleep with her did you?” With that she chuckled and went off into the trailer taking her laptop and wine glass with her.

I sat back, took a deep breath and then finished my glass of bourbon. When I took the TV back inside Sonya was already snoring in the bed with Mila lying next to her; apparently Sonya had a new buddy.

I closed up, locked up and took myself off to bed.