Billy tried avoid the pothole but the car hit it hard and in the next second there was a screeching and the started shaking. Billy pulled them as far to the side of the road as he could and stopped the car. He swore under his breath.

"Wow, listen to the language," Molly said. "I've never heard you swear before."

"I guess there's a time and place," Billy replied as he unbuckled and got out of the car. Molly followed. She looked down at the tire in front of her. It was flat.

"We'll need the jack and spare over here," Molly called. Billy, who was checking the back tire on the driver’s side, nodded. He stood up and moved to the trunk and opened it. Molly walked over to help him pull the bags out to get at the spare tire. On the way she looked down. “Oh, no.”

Billy put the bags down and leaned around the side of the car. “For crying out loud, two flat tires!” He turned to Molly. “What are we going to do?”

“Do you have AAA?” Molly asked.

“Right,” Billy pulled out his phone and wallet. He rooted around until he found the AAA card in his wallet. “Ok, I’ve got the number.” He looked at his phone. “ARG!” Billy shouted. He abled his fists and after a moment stomped his foot. When he saw Molly looking at him he took a breath to calm down. “There’s no signal.”

“Right,” Molly said. She sighed. “We have to walk.” Billy nodded. “Which way should we go?”

Billy looked up the road and then back down it. “I’d rather just go forward. But honestly, going back down the road would be wiser. We could find a phone, call AAA from there and then get a hotel and try again tomorrow. But still, I’d rather go forward.”

Molly nodded. “I agree.”

Billy looked through the window to where Molly’s mom was resting her head against the glass and looking out the other window. “Show we consult your mother?”

Molly shook her head. “I don’t think so. She would just want to go back and wait it out.”

“She is bankrolling this adventure,” Billy said. “And she’s supposed to be looking after us.”

“Supposed,” Molly said. “Is the operative word. She’s been holding us back this whole time. I don’t know why or care. Let’s just tell her we’re going forward. If we say it strongly enough she’ll go along with it.”

Billy mulled it over. “Ok, let’s tell her.” He knocked on the window and beaconed her out. “Hey, so we’ve got two flat tires. Molly and I have decided that we’re going to keep going forward. Hopefully we’ll find the house soon.”

“Ok, you two go ahead,” Molly’s mom said.“I’ll stay with the car; incase anybody comes by.”

“Are you sure?” Molly asked. Her mom nodded calmly. Billy shrugged and started walking. Molly followed him after her mother patted her arm and shut the door.