appeared to be thoroughly lost He alternated between looking up at the street signs and down at a piece of paper in his hand With its location near Highway 84 and its small town charm Somerville got its fair share of tourists passing through Most enjoyed a delicious meal at Mick’s Diner and a walk down Main Street before filling up on cheap gas at Earl’s Gas Station and getting back on the road As Rowan Jace Astrid and Quinn got closer they knew right away that these people were indeed a typical family of tourists The man was tall and thin with disheveled curly red hair and round wire glasses The woman was small and stood with a stiff back as she clutched a oversized designer handbag with both hands Large sunglasses and a puckered look decorated her face The teenage boy and girl behind them wore bored expressions and well-made expensive clothes
They had shoes that cost more than some folks in Somerville might have paid for their rent each month Their phones were the latest models and brand-new Hi there Rowan said in his friendliest voice His parents had always reminded him to be nice to tourists since they were so important to the success of Somerville’s businesses Can we help you find something Without looking up from the phone he was tapping away on the teenage boy said How about a way out of this ridiculous little town Jefferson snapped the man There is no need to be rude Whatever the boy muttered without looking up as he shook his hair out of his face The man shot the teenage boy a look before turning toward Rowan We’re actually looking for the Somerville Museum he said Is it nearby
It sure is Astrid responded politely You’re actually very close It’s just a few doors down past the movie theater and the Sugar Shack on the right It looks more like an old house than a big museum Quinn said You have to keep an eye out for it It’s pretty easy to miss The Somerville Museum was located in one of the original houses built along Main Street Its curator Mrs Ruth Partridge displayed pieces of the town’s history throughout the first floor and lived in a second-floor apartment with her beloved dog Rex The tourist girl snapped her gum as she whined Daddy you promised we could get some food if we went to the stupid museum Find out where we can get some food I’m hungry I will Tabitha and the museum is not stupid The man’s face reddened as he spoke to the girl
You did promise them food Harry the woman said We’ve been in the car for hours If we had just gone to Hawaii like I wanted to everyone would have been much happier The man’s face grew a frightening shade of red Jace tried to help out saying Mick’s Diner has the best food in town The museum is very close to here and when you’re done the diner is back the other way just before Highway 84 The man took a few deep breaths and his face slowly returned to its natural pale hue He smiled at Jace Rowan Astrid and Quinn and said You have been very helpful The kids watched the man his family trailing behind walk down the street toward the museum Later at the diner Mr Vega listened with great interest as the kids told him all about the Mutant Zombies from Outer Space 7 as they sat at the counter eating their grilled-cheese sandwiches
