The McBain family were traveling through the southwest and were somewhere in Arizona. Gail was reading Readers Digest to her 18-year-old son Dylan and her 20-year-old daughter Rebecca, while her husband Tom drove. This was the last family vacation before the kids went off to college. Rebecca had taken a year off to "find herself", but she didn't even know what she was looking for to begin with. It annoyed Gail, but a mother could only do so much. She'd figure it out. Dylan was the quiet shy type. Gail wondered if he even ever kissed a girl let alone had sex. Yes, it's strange to think that about your own son, but she was really worried about him. She knew he wasn't gay at least not according to the porn he searched online, but boy was he shy. His only outlet was writing. But some of his stories were really dark. Maybe he'd be the next Stephen King and buy her a house with some of his millions. Perhaps she could encourage him to write about their trip this summer. Something of a more positive subject matter.
"No Man's Land 2 miles" Tom her husband said interrupting her thoughts.
"Oh, let's stop," Rebecca said. "I gotta pee."
"TMI, Becky, TMI," Dylan said.
"Oh, and you don't? You've been squirming in your seat for the last 50 miles."
"Kids, don't argue," Gail scolded.
Dylan rubbed his eye with his middle finger while Becky stuck her tongue out at him. Gail rolled her eyes and turned back around.
As soon as the car stopped the family exited the vehicle and the kids mad a dash for the restrooms. The doors were locked. They went in and asked for the key. The woman just looked at them without saying anything.
"My kids need the keys to the bathroom, and I'd like to fill up," Tom said.
The woman sighed and handed over the keys. "Don't make a mess," she warned.
"You plan on staying long?" she asked Gail after Tom went out to fill up the car.
"Probably just passing through," Gail said in a lighthearted manner.
The woman didn't smile back.
"Is there an issue?"
"We don't like strangers here. Mainly men, hence the name of the town," the woman replied.
"Seriously? No Man's Land literally has no men?" Gail said laughing.
"Seriously. And we like to keep it that way," the woman responded.
"Well, now maybe we will stick around," Gail said, defiant now.
The kids walked back inside and returned the keys. They sensed the tension between their mom and the cashier.
"Kids, grab some snacks for the road. We don't seem to be welcome here."
Dylan and Becky looked at the clerk, then grabbed some food and soda and headed back to the car.
After Gail explained what happened with the clerk Tom drove off and tried to head out of town but was nervous and made a wrong turn.