Loving Crazy

By Erin Lee and Olivia Marie

It wasn't Gene who fell in lust with a rustic kitchen, wanted to lay roots, and decided to invite the guys along for the ride. No. That was Layla.

Crazy for love, and just touched enough to pull the trigger, the dynamic duo will hit the road again – this time with passion at every wrong left turn.

But the road always has surprises, roadside attractions, and a little crazy in store. This time, will the ladies of the road be able to stay on track to their final destination, or will it be time for a full U-turn?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crazy Ink
• Release date: Mar 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215941775

Erin Lee

Erin Lee lives in Queensland, Australia and has been working with children for over 25 years. She has worked in both long day care and primary school settings and has a passion for inclusive education and helping all children find joy in learning. Erin has three children of her own and says they have helped contribute ideas and themes towards her quirky writing style. Her experience working in the classroom has motivated her to write books that bring joy to little readers, but also resource educators to help teach fundamental skills to children, such as being safe, respectful learners.

Book preview

It wasn’t Gene who fell in lust with a rustic kitchen, wanted to lay roots, and decided to invite the guys along for the ride. No. That was Layla.

Crazy for love, and just touched enough to pull the trigger, the dynamic duo will hit the road again—this time with passion at every wrong left turn.

But the road always has surprises, roadside attractions, and a little crazy in store. This time, will the ladies of the road be able to stay on track to their final destination, or will it be time for a full U-turn?

A picture containing icon Description automatically generated

Dedications & notes

For the crazies who backed the bus over us. Thank you for helping us pull a U-turn. -EL

make your own road. -Olivia

Chapter One

Gene

For months, we’d hoped to head west but had given up on sticking to the original plan somewhere during the Crazy Town caravan run out of Tent City. With Michigan at the top of the GPS, the guys in an entirely new, blue van after scrapping the jalopy, and Puppy Caper’s secret out in the wide open, there wasn’t much left to do but fill the tanks.

There had been a power struggle, of course, with Tom insisting he lead the way. But Layla’d seen to that in reminding him that it was me who found the second van for them, had negotiated the price, and even made it so he could take it to a mechanic before throwing the rest of his savings down on it. If they were going to pick the final destination, well the hell I was following behind.

I smiled at Pete as I reached out to say goodbye. For as rough as he was around the edges, he really was a great guy. If only he could stop drinking. Telling myself that at least he’d gotten the consolation prize of the Savana we’d worked so hard to fix up, I was impressed to learn that his plan was to turn it into a BnB alternative living situation for nomads down on their luck. Enamored with the lifestyle after our short stay, Pete even talked about hitting the road himself after he worked off the points on his license and got it back after paying fines. While it wasn’t really any of my business what he planned to do, it was nice to know he had a plan. Maybe we’d run into him down the road.

Make sure you keep in touch, he said, holding on to my hand a little longer than I was comfortable with.

Will do. You too, I said, pulling it back.

As Tom and Puppy Caper said their goodbyes, Layla managed to close up the rabbit cage on her own. I was glad I’d made the time to give her a birthday celebration better than any other she’d had with any of her pathetic ex’s. While I’d never managed to finish off the yard Jenga, Pete promised he’d see to it that no one touched my half-sanded but perfectly cut blocks. They’d wait for me in his workshop and, the next time we came through, I’d already have a good start.

You all set? I asked Layla as she scanned her regular trip check list.

We need to stop for propane.

Okay. We can pick up a tank or two when we fill up.

What about rice?

We still have two mason jars. We may have a bag in the back, too. It’ll be enough.

She shook her head. Won’t be enough with the guys.

Not our problem, I said, raising my eyebrows. Remember, we aren’t their mothers. Puppy Caper and his buddy can fend for themselves. It’s not like we won’t be stopping every day and you know darn well they’ll want to sleep at Walmart a lot. It’s scary when you first get on the road.

The plan was supposed to be mutually beneficial but not change the best parts of our lifestyle. We’d have them around at night for safety. Layla could even spend her nights with Caden. They’d have us for know-how as they got used to life on the road. And once in a while we’d share a meal, adventure, or something else – but not every time. No money would be combined. Neither would expenses or purchases. It was just better that way. Our time at Tent City had taught us a shitload about boundaries, and it was up to me and Layla to keep each other in check no matter how she felt about Caden and even if I decided to give old Tom a try.

You’re right, she said. That’s it then. Propane and gas.

Perfect.

Hopping into our respective sides of the van, I slid the driver’s seat forward and began my regular process of checking the rearview mirrors. No matter how long I’d driven a big vehicle, I’d never fully got used to obstructed views and a longer wheelbase. For that reason, I was always careful to put myself in the best possible situation not to back into anything and to always park so I was already pulled out. Pete’s place hadn’t been any different and especially with the long driveway.

We watched as Tom managed to correct his first novice mistake—pulling in nose first. His 900 point turn to spin their van facing forward was comical. At this rate, we’ll see Michigan by fall, I said, laughing.

Hey. Four seasons! I bet the lakes are pretty with all those colors reflecting back, Layla, laughing herself, said.

Might be cold at Christmas though, I added, watching through a side window as the rear brake lights on Tom and Caper’s van went red for the fourth time in under ten seconds. Do you think I should help him? Christ.

Layla shook her head. Nope. Same thing as the rice. They do it themselves. We can’t be stopping every time we park, so you can fix it for him when it’s time to go. He’ll get used to it soon enough.

It was like a bad case of Groundhog Day syndrome. I thought about how when we’d first set up Tent City we’d vowed to teach the residents to fish for themselves. But try as we did, no one ever seemed interested in learning to bait their own hook. Layla was right. We couldn’t afford to make that mistake again and especially if she planned to get serious with Caden.

Layla interrupted my memories with cheers and clapping. I smiled as the guys launched forward from the grass and into Pete’s long driveway. Finally, after more than a month where we’d first began as strangers, we were back on the road. Throwing Crazy Train in drive, I couldn’t help but reach for my purple polka dot sunglasses. Not exactly in style, they made me feel free—like my fucks were as lost as me and Layla were about to be. Let’s do this!

Tom did as he’d agreed and pulled over at the end of the driveway for us to jump ahead. With the GPS set on Michigan, I told Layla to get a move on iOverlander to pre-scout tonight’s sleeping arrangements. We’d need a Cracker Barrel for the first night. I couldn’t imagine the guys being cool with boondocking on their first day as full timers on the road. We’d have to work them in slowly. Besides, they owed us breakfast, and Layla was getting pretty sick of cooking. It’d be nice to do something special in the morning to celebrate being back on the road.

Chapter Two

Layla

Iwasn’t sure I would feel that way, but it was nice to be back on the road again. It was nice to have the down time, if you could call it that, but nothing beat me and Gene on the open road with all the possibilities it brought. Our first stop would obviously be Michigan, but then the guys had a choice to make. They could either stay with us and go where we went, or we would have to say our goodbyes.

If I was being honest with myself, I hoped they would be coming with us in the end. I didn’t want to say goodbye to Caden yet. I was enjoying his company, and there were still so many things I wanted to do with him.

Being in the same area as him for the past month, he still hadn’t tried to kiss me. Gene laughed at me when I brought that up to her the other day. She told me I was being stupid and to stop being so old fashioned. If I wanted a kiss, I should just take it. She’d helped me get through a lot of things since my relationship with Dale ended, but I was still having a hard time being forceful with what I