We had been on the road for about two hours.  Roger had fallen asleep pretty quickly after we got toward the outskirts of the city. Freddie had asked me a minimum of a fifty questions and Brian had at least fifty more. As for John, he just drove quietly and took it all in. It was more than entertaining because Freddie’s questions were things like ‘what’s Roger like high on coke?’ whereas Brian’s questions were things like ‘How do you like your general psychology class you’re taking this semester.’ Veronica and I, of course, had a lot to talk about in general. We had recently excited the freeway and entered onto a two-way road. Brian was an excellent co-pilot for John. I hated it to admit it, but it seemed to me this was the best combination for driving. My conclusion thus far was that Roger would have been lost six times already and Freddie would have been tryin’ to read the map upside down all the while swearin’ at it wonderin’ why the hell it wasn’t gettin’ us where we needed to be. I honestly didn’t know how Roger could sleep through this. I think the sound of the road itself was like a lullaby to him.

 “Lydia, could you drive this van if you needed to this weekend?” Brian asked me.

 “Yeah, I wouldn’t have any trouble with that.” I answered him. Veronica and I were stretched out on the bench seat as of now. I had gotten comfortable with her quickly. She was used to Brian, Freddie and Roger (and obviously John) whereas this was the first time I would have spent any kind of time with this whole group.  I could already tell she had stories to share and I couldn’t wait to hear them.

 “We’re gonna’ need to stop for petrol soon.” John announced. “Be lookin’ for a station.” I turned around to check on Roger again. He was still asleep but he looked much more awkward than Freddie; who had neatly created a nest for himself in between the bass drum and two amplifiers. It was about that time that the road turned into a pot-hole riddled and degraded mess. John hit a pot-hole hard. Needless to say, that caused a bit of a commotion in the back and Roger woke instantly. Veronica dodged the mike stands at her head.

 “The hell was that!?” he asked, quite startled.

 “Sorry, the road’s a little rough.” John said, looking in the rearview mirror at Roger.

 “God, there aren’t any shocks in this…” Roger didn’t finish his sentence because Brian’s suitcase had just fallen over on him. “…van.” He finished. He shoved it away from him toward Freddie.

 “John, you need to turn left in about eight miles. We’re going to be on the next route for another hour.” Brian instructed him, holding the map up to the dashboard and marking it somewhere. Roger had been right, this van had no shocks because I felt like my stomach was going to fall out of my body at any moment.

 “If you don’t mind me askin’, how long have you and John been together?” I asked Veronica.

 “A year and three months.” Veronica answered me. I was really cravin’ a cigarette but I didn’t want to light one in the enclosed van simply because I wanted to be polite. I wasn’t even sure if John, Veronica or Brian smoked.

 “Oh, so you’ve been together a while? How did you meet?” I asked.

 “We had a couple of classes together when we were enrolled at the university. We were in a study group together but we ended up talkin’ a lot more than studyin’.” Veronica laughed.

“Oh, that’s how it always starts.” I said.

 “I won’t lie, Lydia…I was only in the study group because I thought Veronica was so pretty. I could have cared less if I were prepared for anything happenin' in the class.” John said. I laughed at him and felt a tap on my shoulder.

 “How the hell is he possibly able to fall asleep again so quickly…and in that position!?” Freddie asked me. I smiled.

 “You would know that better than I.” I told him. "Wish I could pull that off."

 “How exactly did you meet Roger?” Veronica asked me.

 “Through absolute chance. I was at the bar there in Kensington, he was outside…I was outside. He needed a cigarette…I had one. And now here we are in this van.” I explained. Veronica laughed at me.

 “Excuse me, darling. But, you left out eighty percent of that little story!” Freddie interjected. He winked at me.

 “Hey you, Veronica asked how we met.” I pointed a finger at Freddie. “We didn’t immediately become a couple.” I explained to her.

 “Oh, neither did me and John. We talked on the phone for like three weeks before we actually went out on a date. And even then we weren't 'John and Veronica' for another month.” Veronica said.

 “What did you immediately do, Lydia? Freddie asked me facetiously.

 “I kept it classy, dear.” I winked at him. Freddie laughed in delight.

 “Did you know that John and I had our first date with Brian?” Veronica said. Brian shook his head.

 “Oh, the things I do for John…” he said.

 “John was too nervous to go out with me alone so the three of us went to a pub and we a few rounds of Guiness. I will never forget it. I think I fell in love with him instantly that night.” Veronica explained. I loved it. Her face lit up when she told me about it.

 “I’m kind of afraid to ask this…but where the hell did Roger take you for you and his first date?” Brian asked. I thought about that a minute.

 “Hmm...I guess it musta’ been to that coffee house down in the boho district in Kensington. We went there for the afternoon the Saturday after I met him, actually. I had a full pack of cigarettes that day but we were both nervous I guess because I had an empty pack when we left.” I told him. Brian shook his head.

 “Yeah, that sounds like Roger.”

 “No petrol station along this road and we’re getting ready to make our turn. Maybe on this main route?” John questioned.

 “How much is left?” Brian asked.

 “Like…maybe a quarter tank.” John answered him.

 “I’m sure there will be something on this road we’re getting ready to take.” Brian assured John. When we made the turn onto the new route, the equipment in the back shifted a bit but not too much.  It was quiet in the van for a while as we made our way down the new route. The hum of the road was indeed quite hypnotizing and I could see why it would lure Roger to sleep so easily. The road smoothed out and the speed limit increased. I was actually glad we had gotten off the secondary route because this would be much easier traveling. We passed a sign that indicated a petrol station fifteen kilometers away.

 “Did you see that sign, John?” Veronica asked him.

 “I did, thanks.” Was his response. Even though I had only spent a little over two hours with John and Veronica, I loved the chemistry they had. They seemed so very fond of each other and so comfortable. They were a simple couple and very much ‘what you see is what you get’. They had nothing to hide and were in no way out to impress anyone. They were quiet but they could hold a good conversation and they obviously knew how to have a good time…otherwise they wouldn’t have been in the van right now.  Furthermore, I think they loved each other…really loved each other…I could just tell in the way they spoke to one another and about one another. It was endearing and I truly loved their company. 

 I had also already concluded in our trip that Brian was very smart, very logical and to me;  someone who could easily get his heart broken. He was rather serious in nature but relatable…very gentle. It seemed he was the type you could talk to for hours on end. This was also my first time spending more than thirty seconds with Freddie. He was the glue. He was so funny, so quick witted, but beyond all that...the one thing I noticed about him was that he was so damn sincere and compassionate. A gentle soul who brought the party with him. The light in his eyes showed how much he truly loved and trusted his friends. Quite obviously, they all cared enough to have me, seemingly an outsider, in this van with them.  I could see the petrol station in the distance now. Freddie had poked Roger with his foot.

 “Wake up!  We’re makin’ a stop.” He encouraged him as John slowed down to pull into the station.

 “Hmmm? What? Oh…okay. Where are we?” Roger asked, rubbing his eyes.

 “About an hour outside the city.” Freddie explained.

 “Hey, I need to back up to this pump up here and you two really need to clear some crap out of that back window because I can’t see a thing.” John said looking in the rearview mirror again. Roger and Freddie reached up to shift things around.

 “Here, give me that.” Freddie told Roger, pointing at something.

 “No, move that drum case and this stuff will shift down so John can see.” Roger didn’t wait for Freddie to agree, he just shoved on something and sure enough, a pile fell over.

 “God! Roger! You have just wedged my foot under somethin’! We really should discuss these things first.” Freddie scolded him.

 “Yeah, well he can see. Is that good, John?” Roger asked him.

 “Yeah, yeah that’s perfect.” John said backing up to the pump.  I had hoped I could grab a quick smoke here but ‘no smoking’ was clearly marked at the pump.

 “I’m gonna’ go to the restroom, wanna’ come? I asked Veronica. Anybody want anything while we’re here?” I asked.

 “No, thanks, Lydia. I’m okay.” John said first. That seemed to be general opinion of everyone. I got out first, followed by Veronica. Freddie and Roger climbed over the seat and got out behind us. As Veronica and I headed inside, we heard a crash after we had taken only about ten steps. We turned around…Roger had opened the back doors of the van to make some adjustments to the equipment and luggage…at least seven things fell out this time. 

 “Roger!” Freddie said crossing his arms.  “Well, clearly, you’re gonna’ need to rework this again.”

 “Don’t just stand there! Help me!’ Roger insisted.

 “Alright, but don’t mess up my spot! I have the most perfect spot.” Freddie insisted as they worked on the mess lying behind the van. Veronica and I had approached the door by now.

 “I’m so glad you’re here and it’s not just me.” Veronica said as we stepped inside. The gas station attendant watched us as we came in. “It can be so boring when it’s me and those four. Don’t get me wrong, I love Brian, Freddie and Roger but finally I have you to hang with!” I laughed.

 “I was really excited when Roger invited me.” Veronica’s face changed as she opened the bathroom door.

 “I’m not supposed to say anythin’…but…you are the only thing Roger has spoken of for the past week.” Veronica’s words made me turn a bit red. “He’s really fond of you…and he’s normally not fond of a girl for longer than about a half hour. But…it’s completely different with you.” Veronica laughed. “He wants you with him all the time.”

 “That’s very good to know.” I said. “I brought some money to pay my way on this trip. I want you to know I’m no freeloader. I get invited somewhere I don’t expect charity. Here. Give this to John and I expect no questions.” I told Veronica, sitting my purse on the bathroom counter and opening up my clutch. She looked a bit shocked.

 “Ly…Lydia…this is 200 pounds!” she said.

 “Do you think ya’ need more? I thought it would take care of petrol and whatever else.” I explained.

 “It’s….it’s really…more than enough. Oh, Lydia…you’re…just too kind. I can’t take that from you.” She said.

 “Please. I want to contribute.” I emphasized. “I promise I won’t open my wallet again if you take this for our holiday.”

 “They usually take turns with expenses…except that Freddie nearly always comes up empty handed and someone is always covering him.” Veronica laughed.

 “Well, now he’s covered.” I answered.

 I had left the bathroom before Veronica, heading back to the van. “S’cuse me? Can you smoke up here?” I asked the attendant.

 “For you, you can smoke anywhere you want.” He answered me.

 “Oh…well…um…thank you. What about…” I turned around and looked out at the van to see Freddie and Roger talking with Brian while John watched the pump. “…what about them?” I pointed behind me.

 “Again, for you sweetheart…you got it.” The attendant told me. I smiled and put my sunglasses on. Not really the answer I would expect but I took it.

 “Thank you. You have a wonderful day.” I said turning around and heading out of the station to the corner. I started digging through my purse for my cigarettes. I just knew they have to be in here. I didn’t have to go get Roger or anyone else. They would catch the drift. I finally found my pack and pulled a cigarette out with my teeth. Now, I needed to search for my lighter. I was successful. That was a much needed first puff. I looked over to the back of the van and Brian caught sight of me. I waved my hand toward me. He, Freddie and Roger headed my way. Veronica soon came out of the station and walked over to me.

 “Want one?” I asked her.

 “No, thank you.” She answered.

 “You rule breaker! Didn’t you read the sign!?” Freddie scolded me.

 “It’s okay, I got permission from the attendant.” I defended myself.

 “Well, in that case, share the wealth, darling!” I laughed at Freddie as he extended a hand to me.

 “Brian?” I questioned. He shook his head. “No, thanks.”

 “I know you want one.” I slipped my arm around Roger and handed my pack over to him. He quickly kissed my cheek. Veronica left us and headed toward the pump where John was standing. I knew we’d be piling back into the van soon but for now, I wanted to indulge. Indulge in Roger’s arm slung around my neck and his wonderful friends.