Packed and ready, the lava car rolled out of the driveway at 9:00 a.m. sharp. If all went according to plan, the four adventurers would arrive at the Cloud Forest in plenty of time to set up camp.
Ten minutes into the drive, Veronica’s dad read the sign on the edge of the road: Town of Crater Lake, 1 Mile. “Hey Captain, I need to stop. You didn’t bring any matches, did you?”
“No,” the Captain said, frowning. “I can start a proper fire.”
Veronica’s dad let the snipe pass. He braked hard and swerved into a strip mall on the outskirts of town, parking in front of Magma Mart. “I’ll only be a minute,” he said to the Captain. “Veronica, you come with me."
Magma Mart was sandwiched smack dab in the middle of Veronica’s two favorite sources of sweets in the world: The Ice Creamery on the left and The Village Bakery on the right. All three businesses were owned by the same man. Veronica called him “Coach,” as did everyone in town. He coached at least a half-dozen teams, from girls’ softball to high school football.
“Der’s my lefty,” Coach barked, as Veronica entered the store. A transplant from New Lava City, Coach spoke with urban power in hard, flat tones without any inflection, except for the volume of his voice. “Beddah be wahrkin’ on your slap-hittin’, hey? Dat’s whawt summahs are fahr? Pushin’ yahself fahrder dan you can go. Stawr playahs aren’d bahrn, dey’re made.”
“Yeah, yeah, Coach,” Veronica said, “I’m practicing.” Her father tossed an eight-pack of waterproof matches on the counter. “But not today. Guess where we’re going … Mount Mystery.”
“Dat’s quite the wahk,” Coach whistled, as he rang them up. “Good for you. Every kid shood see Mystahry at least once. Even if it means you aint’ practicin’.” As they walked out, he called, “You bring me my lefty back!”
Veronica smiled. She loved her town. She could have had a similar chat at almost any store in Crater Lake. The townspeople were like her uncles and aunts—one big, happy family. The car pulled out on the road, and Veronica melted into her seat, settling in for a long drive.
“You know,” said the Captain, “as long as we’re making quick stops, I’d like to make one too. There’s a grave I’d like to visit.”
