Travelers stopped often and used the restrooms, drank a couple of beers, and usually toted along a six-pack or two for the road. David finished the second of his tap beers, and Tomas drained his ice-cold bottle of Pepsi Cola. He held true on his July 5th promise not to drink again. The bartender ignored David’s attempt at friendly conversation and paid more attention to the baseball game over the static of the well-used radio. David ordered a six-pack of Great Falls Select, and handed them to Tomas to take to the truck. He sauntered back to the men’s room and lit a cigarette as he walked. Tomas regretted not eating the sandwich after the funeral. His stomach growled, and he planned to ask David to stop somewhere around Missoula to eat. He checked his pocket watch as he waited for his brother-in-law to join him in the truck. It was 1:30 and Tomas figured it would take about three to three and a half more hours to make the drive to Butte. On the drive to Missoula, Tomas tried to talk to David about him joining the Navy.
