by Christine Briton-Jones

Created on: November 23, 2008   Last Updated: September 24, 2009

"Jennifer how much further until we arrive? I am really sorry but I need to go to the loo - like now."

"Did you seriously just say loo?" Jennifer asked with a smile. "I thought that only Australians in the movies said loo."

"Yes I said it and yes most everyday Aussies say it too. Plus the stop, start driving on this freeway, that looks more like a parking lot than a freeway is not helping my situation. Can we please get off and find a gas station with toilets?" Sarah was talking fast and sounding urgent. Jennifer took the first exit off the freeway and quickly drove up to the first gas station.

"You go to the restroom and I'll fill up the car. We still have some miles to cover." Jennifer realized she was talking to Sarah's back as she watched her dash toward the restrooms without waiting for the end of the conversation. Why did I offer to look after her? Jennifer mused as she waited for the gas to fill the tank. Sarah was an exchange student from Sydney University and was going to spend Thanksgiving alone at the Boston University campus. Jennifer offered to take her to her parents' home in Bridgewater Massachusetts for the holiday. Who would believe that an Australian would be so clueless about American culture? Jennifer felt tired at the thought of having to explain the role and importance of Thanksgiving, to this girl that never stopped asking questions.

"Thanks Jennifer. I feel much better now. I read that the drive between Boston and Bridgewater was only forty minutes. We have already been on the road for an hour."

"It is forty minutes without any traffic. Because we left on Thanksgiving Day you get to see how bad the traffic can be. Once we get back on the freeway it will probably take us another hour to get to my parents' place." Jennifer explained while the girls got back into the car.

The trip was etched into Jennifer's memory, she would take the exit to join the 104, then take the South Street exit and follow the surface streets to Summer Street which formed one of the boundaries of Bridgewater State College, to Beebe Avenue and finally Carver Drive where her home was. By the time they had arrived Jennifer was ready for some relief from Sarah's constant questions, why is this girl studying business, she should be an investigative journalist, ah thank goodness Grandma, she loves to talk. "Grandma how are you?" Jennifer asked as she gave the elderly woman a hug, "I would like you to meet Sarah, she is the girl I was telling you about on the phone.

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