Drive

Carson feels just a bit of reassurance from Misty's words, but is left hanging as his phone rings. He didn't want to answer it, but with so much going on already, he didn't dare let it go.

Fishing in his pocket, he pulls out his phone. "Yeah?" Mabel's voice hits his ears, and he's immediately on edge. She never called him. As he hears the news, he straightens, his face paling slightly, his hand sliding from Misty. He opens his mouth to ask questions, but Mabel is already answering them. He's relieved that Herb was going to be okay, but knowing he was in the hospital... it hit him a little harder than he'd think it would.

Carson swallows hard, his mind racing. "Don't worry about the restaurant," he assures quickly. "You've got more important things to think about. I was just heading back anyway. I've got a key, so we're fine there. I'll go help Aerith out right now so we can at least finish out the day, and we'll go from there."

In reality, he had no idea how he and Aerith would handle things, but he wasn't going to let Mabel worry about it. "If you need anything else, let me know. And tell Herb to quit doing things like this." Though teasing a little, Carson felt rather sick. His tone quiets. "Let me know when he can have visitors."

Wrapping up the call, Carson flips his phone shut and just closes his eyes a moment, trying to regroup. Finally he looks to Misty. "Herb had a heart attack. Sounds like he'll be okay, but he's up at the hospital." He takes a deep breath, pushing everything else out of his mind - Mackenzie, Alec, everything. "I need to get back to Mom and Pop's to help Aerith."

Carson is quiet on the way back to the restaurant. His mind was reeling... bouncing from one thing to the next. Why was everything happening at once? What next?

Arriving at Mom and Pop's, Carson leans over and gives Misty a kiss, letting her know he'd call her later. Then getting out, he jogs around the building, letting himself in the back.

Slipping into the kitchen, he takes off his jacket and tosses it on the hook, grabbing an apron. "Yo, Aerith. Mabel called me. Where we at in here?"


Kyle opens the Mountain Dew bottle from the vending machine and takes a long swig. "Ahhhh." Wandering from the small rest area building, he squints in the sun, stretching his legs along with everybody else. It had been several hours since they'd stopped, and everyone was glad for a short break.

Spotting Alice, he grins. "Think fast!" The bottle of pop goes flying in her direction, an offer to share.

"Hey, I was thinking, if you get tired of driving or whatever, or just want some company, I'd be glad to drive for a while." Kyle shrugs. In reality, he was having a blast in the bus with the rest of the team. But he'd lost count of how many times he'd wanted to say something to Alice and include her in on some of the fun. Cell phones had been used, but it wasn't the same.