Page 61 of Lone Star Longing
“So what are some of the names you like?”
“I like names, and I didn't realize this until I started writing them down, I like names that start with vowels. Ella and Emma and Iris and Olivia.”
“Those aren’t that unusual.”
“No. Why do you say that?”
“Because you said all the boy names were similar, but those names you listed aren’t wild and crazy.”
“Well, some of them are, but then I have to think of what kind of name I want to saddle her with, and what kind of person she’ll be, and if she’ll be that way partly because I named her a wild and crazy name. It’s a big responsibility.” And one of so many she would be taking on by herself. “How did your mom come up with your name? It’s pretty unusual, and she doesn’t strike me as someone who would name a kid something so different.”
“Yeah, well, she named me after Thomas Beckett, and since my uncle was also Thomas, she started calling me Beckett, and we shortened it to Beck. Now, don't think that people didn't call me Becky, and all those kinds of names. So every name has a kind of danger to go with it. You have to think about that, too. What about your name? Lacey’s a pretty name, but not very common.”
“My mom was a big Fleetwood Mac fan. I’m lucky she didn't name me Stevie. But she liked Stevie’s style, and kind of riffed off of that.”
“Well, what about if you did something like that? Found something you were really passionate about and name your baby after something like that?”
“And if I lose that passion? The kid’s stuck with the name. Why? Are you going to name your kids like, ‘Piston’ and, I don't know, ‘Brake Light?’” She waved her hand in the direction of the dash.
He laughed. “Are those the only car parts you know?”
“No, of course not. Just the only ones I can think of off the top of my head.” She turned to grin at him. “My dad made sure I can take care of my car, especially since I drive so much, and to remote places.”
“Good man.”
“He is. I’m really lucky to have him.” She checked her phone again. Still no service. She wanted to know how big this storm was. It could be just passing through, but it could be huge and stretch for miles. She wanted to prepare herself.
As she put the phone away again, she realized that Beck had relaxed her a bit with talk of her baby’s name, even though the storm was getting stronger the closer they got to home. The roads through town would be worse. Lightning was nearly constant, as was the rumble of thunder, the violent claps closer together, then fading to a roar that rolled into one another.
Part of her wanted to blame Jesse for her going through this. If he had arrived like he was supposed to, she would still be in San Antonio with him, not traveling through this.
Part of it was her fault, too. If she hadn’t wanted to go to the grocery store in San Antonio, they could have left an hour or more earlier, and would maybe have missed this.
But she knew she couldn't lay the blame anywhere. The situation was hers to deal with, and she’d confront her fear and make the best of it.
The truck hit a low part of the road that had filled with water, and Beck had to fight to keep the truck on the road. Lacey had to stop herself from screaming in alarm. She had to admit Beck was a good driver, paying close attention, driving a reasonable speed.
But if anything happened to them, they were so isolated. They hadn’t passed another car for miles, and they had no cell service. They would absolutely be on their own.
