The street was dark and deserted. Philip parked near the curb and let the engine idle while he got his bearings. The car’s headlamps spotlighted a row of grated storefronts and buildings with boarded up windows.
“Now what?” Mother said.
“I don’t know.”
“I’m scared, Phil. Please get us out of here.”
“And just how do I do that?”
“By driving. How else?”
Philip’s hands started shaking; he looked down at his watch—a subterfuge for sure—hoping she wouldn’t notice his attempt to stop the tremors. “That’s what we’ve been doing. Going in circles for the better part of an hour. I don’t know how the hell to get back. We don’t even know where we are.”
“But it’s still smart to keep moving, isn’t it?” She looked out at the grim scene. “Why did you stop?”
Philip rested his head on the steering wh
