For the first time since he was twelve years old, Derek Haven had slept for hours, it was huge, a big deal. But since coming awake, both at the motel and after his in-flight nap, he had been pretending like it was all normal stuff to him.
That he just found a bed, laid down, and his body just went to sleep without any trouble. But now he had put all of the day's work behind him, including the nasty piece of work that was his uncle, and he was on his way.
And finally alone with his thoughts and not having to keep up a front, Derek Haven let himself feel the full extent of his emotions. At first he laughed, and when his ribs got too painful, and his driving erratic, he stopped laughing. But a big smile replaced his laughter. The smile so wide it made his teeth hurt. If he were to be stopped by the police in that moment, he was certain that they would think that he was one of three things.
Number one, as drunk as a skunk.
Number two, high out of his mind.
