It took Jon and Greg nearly an hour to backtrack to the motel. Jon pulled into the parking lot to find it nearly full. "I hope they have a room," Jon sighed as he parked the car. Jon and Greg entered the hotel lobby to find a 12-year old girl at the counter. Unsure if she was the manager, Jon asked, "Are... are there any rooms available?"
The girl sadly looked at Jon and Greg and said, "We're almost full of people who don't want to fight the roads right now. However, we do have one room available. Its small though, only barely room for the twin bed in it. There's not even room on the floor; you two will have to share. I hope that's all right."
Jon awkwardly looked at Greg. Their eyes lingered a moment, then Greg blushed and nodded in assent. Jon turned to the young manager and said, "We'll take the room." Using Carl's credit card, Jon paid for the room and got the key. Jon and Greg went back out to the car and found two small duffel bags; apparently Carl and Elizabeth had planned on staying the night somewhere on their way home anyway. Jon grabbed both duffels, then the shifted young men went to their room. Opening the door, they realized that the girl had not lied to them. A twin bed left only about two feet of space in either direction from the walls, and even the bathroom was small. Jon put down Carl and Elizabeth's bags on the bed and turned to Greg. "Do you want some privacy? I could go to the lobby if you need some time to yourself..."
Greg blushed deeply. He knew what Jon meant. For the second time in the space of a few hours, Greg found himself feeling deeply... grateful... to Jon for his compassion and for the safe feeling Jon gave Greg. Realizing that the silence had hung on long enough to become awkward, Greg answered, "I... I want to take a shower... If you wouldn't mind... Maybe..." Greg blushed deeper than before as he finally got it out: "Do you mind turning the television on loud? I would feel better knowing you're out there."
Jon nodded. "Whatever you want, Greg," he answered.
Greg quickly grabbed Elizabeth's duffel bag and retreated to the bathroom. He hoped that Jon couldn't see the blush that had spread now from cheeks to feet. Closing and locking the door, Greg opened the bag. Trying not to think about what he was doing, Greg pulled out shampoo, conditioner, body shampoo and lotion, and a loufa. Looking down, Greg gulped. The moment he had been dreading had come.
