It was about five o'clock when they pulled into the motel, having crossed the state and now feeling really ready for their vacation adventure.

"They've got a room on the ground floor -- Number Five!," Tim announced, dropping the key into Edna's hands as he drove around the motel to park in front of their room.

Edna looked around the room while Tim brought in the luggage.

"Could we go to a nice place for dinner tonight?," she asked.

"Sure.  I could use a steak and a big baked potato with sour cream and chives," he replied.

"That could be expensive," she said.

"But worth it.  Let's get dressed up.  After all, this is supposed to be like a honeymoon.  Let's celebrate!"

It was just after Edna came out of the shower rubbing her hair dry when they heard it -- a big clap of thunder.

"Oh, no," she said.  "I don't want to go out in a thunderstorm!"

"Tell you what," he replied, "You get all nice and cozy.  I saw a McDonald's around the corner.  I'll pop over there and bring back some Big Macs, fries and shakes."

Edna nodded.  "Sounds good to me," she said.

After they'd eaten their hamburgers and were sipping the last of their shakes, Edna said, "Well, you didn't get your steak dinner, but I couldn't eat another thing.  I hope you're not disappointed."

"Nope. We can go out to dinner another night."

Tim picked up the remote control to the TV, but Edna quickly said, "Don't turn on the TV -- I don't like to watch during a thunderstorm.  Dad always said that could be dangerous."

"I don't think it matters," he said, but nevertheless he tossed the remote aside.

"I packed a deck of cards," she said.

They played three hands of gin rummy, all of which were won by Tim, and then they got into bed.

"Were you cheating?," Edna inquired.

"I wouldn't know how.  Just luck I guess."

" I must not have been concentrating."

"You were concentrating all right.   In the past, whenever we played cards, you  always won,  Edna.  Maybe this was just my time to win."

She sat up in bed, pouting.  He kissed her on the forehead, then on the nose, then on the mouth.

"Honey, many times in the past, you won, but

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(three letters, one letter, three letters)

Copyright 2000  J.J. Schnebel
All rights reserved

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