SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
Chapter Seventy Nine To their disappointment, the rain started before they reached the zoo. The three of them decided to find a library so they could check email and look up what else they could do. After stopping and asking a female worker at a restaurant they finally found the main library and went inside. “Hmmm,” Rose said as she checked a website. “You know how Awinita was talking about Pigeon Forge? Well, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is right below it and according to the site they have hiking and horse riding and places to picnic. You guys wanna do that before we head into Nashville?” “Sounds brilliant to me,” Alan said. “Me too. We never went to it when we went to Dollywood.” “According to the page about picnics, they have grills near the picnic tables. You guys wanna get some hot dogs and ground beef and have a little cook-out there?” She smiled when Alan nodded his head rapidly. “Well, I knew you would,” she teased. “They also have a lot of waterfalls there, people can go and look at the wildlife…um, they have some historic buildings there. You can fish if you want…we could go here and make a day of it. Just hike and ride horses and have a picnic.” “I’m for that,” Alan said as Awinita nodded in agreement. “Hmm, they have a lot of parks in Tennessee,” Rose said to herself. She clicked on a link. “They have a state museum in Nashville,” she said. “Oh, they have an elephant sanctuary in…Hohenwald, wherever that is.” “Seriously?” Alan said. Rose nodded. She clicked on the link and read the page. “Bollocks, never mind, guys. It’s closed to the public,” she said, eliciting some groans from her friends. “That would have been neat to see too. Ah well, find something else to do then.” She glanced at them. “Either one of you interested in the Grand Old Opry?” she asked. “Is there anything to do there?” Alan asked. “Um, it’s basically just watching country music shows on stage. That’s about all they got, at least that’s all I see on the website.” Alan and Awinita glanced at each other. “I like some country music, but not enough to go and watch it performed live,” she said. “Yeah, same here, maybe we should give that a miss.” “Gotcha. Well, so far we have the Smoky Mountain Park, Dollywood, The State Museum…hmm, they have a Children’s Museum here in Memphis.” “Yeah, but we’re not children,” Alan said. “Just a thought. Oh, Nashville also has a zoo,” Rose said. “If we can’t see the one here, we can go to the one there.” She clicked on another link. “Toy museum...” Alan perked up. “Where?” he said. “Nashville,” Rose murmured as she stared at the screen. “Hmm, that might be worth a look,” he said. “And you were poo-poohing the Children’s Museum two minutes ago,” Rose said, looking at him. “Well that’s because the Children’s Museum is for children, the Toy Museum is most likely for everyone.” “Okay, well, we’ll keep that in mind then.” She grinned. “They have the Cumberland Science Museum,” she said innocently. “But, I doubt anyone would wanna go…” Alan slammed her hand over her mouth. “We will go,” he said as she laughed through his hand. He took his hand away and she tousled his hair. She had a thought and entered the Toy Museum into Google. She clicked on a link. “Okay guys, this is what it says about the toy museum…Located near the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, the Nashville Toy Museum features all of your favorite toys, games, and trains from yesteryear in one of the most widely recognized private toy collections in the country! The highlight of the museum features a collection of working model trains that churn along the tracks throughout the museum. Other features of the museum includes antique dolls & toys, teddy bears, model ships & planes, toy soldiers, and much more! Century-old steamers are a favorite highlight of the museum, while enormous 10-foot ship models also draws gales of delight from visitors. Explore the wonders of vintage toys and trains with your entire family at the Nashville Toy Museum! How ‘bout it?” “I’m sold,” Awinita said. “Sounds like fun,” Alan said. “Yeah, it does. I’d love to see the teddy bears and antique dolls. Okay, we’ll do that,” she said, writing down the directions on a piece of paper. She scrolled down the page and found other attractions in Nashville. She smiled. “They have a carousel in Riverfront Park. You guys wanna ride that?” They nodded. Rose wrote down the directions. “We might have to stay a couple of days in Nashville then if we’re doing all this,” she said. “Especially if we’re gonna spend a day at the park. They…blimey, another park has a replica of the Parthenon.” Alan raised his eyebrow. “Wow, we can see the Parthenon early then,” he said to Awinita. “Well, guys, how’s that for starters?” Rose said. “I think that might keep us busy for a few days.” “Sounds brilliant to me,” Alan said. “I agree, but I hope the rain stays away,” Awinita said. “Yeah, me too,” Rose replied, nodding. “Especially if we go to the park. I would really like to explore that. The Smoky Mountains sound beautiful.” “They are,” Awinita said. “They’re gorgeous.” “Well, just remind me that we have to get picnic stuff before we get there,” Rose said. She thought a moment. “I need to get a jacket as well since my other one was ruined. It’s nearing the end of September and I’m sure it’s gonna get parky soon. Alan, you need one too, don’t ya?” Alan thought. “Not sure. The Doctor was able to deal with temperature changes which is why he never really wore anything except that coat of his. I don’t know if I still have that ability so maybe I should get a jacket just in case.” “Okay, how ‘bout you, Awinita?” “I have a jacket,” she said. “Okay, well I’ll just check my email and then we’ll all head out, okay?” Before leaving Memphis they went to Southland Mall and headed to Macy’s to see about some jackets. Rose found a black waterproof jacket that she liked. She walked over to Alan who was in the men’s section examining some leather jackets. “Find any you like?” she said. “Not so far.” He looked at her jacket. “That’s nice,” he said. “Yeah, it’s insulated. I figured I’m gonna need it in the next few months.” She fingered a couple of the coats. “Too bad they don’t have one that resembles the Doctor’s coat. I like the way he looked in it,” she said. He shook his head. “There are some long black leather coats that resemble his coat on another rack. I looked at them but they’re too long and bulky. We won’t have the car forever and I don’t wanna carry it around with me everywhere we go,” he said. He took a tan jacket off the rack and held it up to his chest. “That’s nice,” Rose said. “It looks nice and warm too.” “Yeah, I like it too. I think I might settle for this one.” He checked the price tag and made a face. “Blimey, it’s expensive.” “Don’t worry about that. You want it, I’ll get it.” Alan smiled. “Your dad’s gonna rue the day he decided to pay your credit card bill,” he said. Rose snorted. “You oughta see what mum spends. Compared to her, I’m being frugal,” she said. She put a hand on his arm. “I was also thinking that when we find Awinita, we need to go out in the mall and find a store that sells paper plates and plastic silverware for the picnic,” she said. “Also, I wanna find a book shop so I can get a book and a puzzle book and you guys can get something as well.” “It’s a good thing we have a car to transport all this stuff,” Alan said. “Yeah, tell me about it.” She took his hand and they went off in search of Awinita. “Everyone in?” Rose said when Awinita put the last of the bags in the back seat of the van and closed her door. “Yup,” Alan and Awinita said. Rose started the car and pulled out of their parking spot. Awinita quietly read her book while Rose drove towards Nashville. She glanced up and noticed Alan was also reading. “What are you reading?” Awinita asked him. Alan looked back at her. “Quantum Enigma: Physics Encounters Consciousness,” he said. “Sorry I asked,” she said as Rose giggled. “Is it interesting?” “Very. How ‘bout you? What did you get?” Awinita hesitated a moment. “Um…it’s a Harlequin Romance book. It’s called…The Sheikh's Unsuitable Bride,” she muttered. Alan set his book in his lap and reached for hers. He stared at the cover which showed a man and woman embracing and kissing passionately. He turned it around and read the blurb on the back cover aloud. “Zahir was surprised to find he had a beautiful new driver. This chauffeur did not blend into the background. Oh, no. Diana Metcalfe talked. She laughed. She took him on unplanned detours. And he had more fun than he'd had in years. But back in his desert kingdom, a dynastic marriage was being brokered for Zahir. Crazy though it seemed, he wished that this wonderful, vivacious, thoroughly unsuitable woman could be his bride instead...” Rose giggled when Awinita turned redder than a beet. Alan chuckled and opened the book to the front page. He quickly read through the first chapter, his giggles increasing with each page. Suddenly, he bent over laughing. “Oh God, Amo’tiri, listen to this line,” he said. He cleared his throat. “Diana had never seen a man as gorgeous as Zahir. He was tall, dark, handsome and had a smile that could melt igloos.” He snorted out laughter as Rose fought to keep her composure. “A smile that could melt igloos. Rose, darling, do I have a smile that could melt igloos?” he asked innocently. Rose’s body was shaking with silent laughter and even Awinita couldn’t resist a giggle. “Yeah, I admit the writing is pretty cheesy,” Awinita said to him. “But that’s part of the fun.” He continued to read with ever increasing amusement. “Oh God, listen to this…” he said to Rose. He cleared his throat loudly while Rose bit her lip. The giggles started when he started to read the passage in a breathy, seductive tone of voice. “Then, as she stood up, he turned to her and everything went rapidly downhill as she got the full close-up impact of his olive-skinned, dark-eyed masculinity. The kind that could lay you out with a smile. Except that Sheikh Zahir wasn't smiling, but looking down at her with dark, shaded, unreadable eyes. It was only when she tried to speak that she realized she'd been holding her breath. “I'm sorry,” she finally managed, her words escaping in a breathy rush.” He looked at Rose. “Forget quantum physics. I need to start reading Harlequin Romances, these are much more interesting,” he said as she laughed. He handed the book back to Awinita with a huge smile on his face. “Well, enjoy the tale of the chauffeur and the sheikh,” he said. “Let me know when they get to the steamy desert sex, okay?” “Will do,” she replied. Alan resumed reading his book. As he did, he glanced over at Rose and a mischievous grin spread over his face. “Rose Tyler…” Rose glanced over at him when she heard her name. She was about to ask what he wanted when he continued to speak in the same breathy voice he had used earlier. “An innocent, naïve girl of 23,” he said, “left alone on a beach in Norway with a dashingly handsome half alien clone and her irate mother. At first, Rose was repulsed by the freakish being standing before her but then she saw the enormous bulge in his trousers. Her breath quickened, her heart raced and she suddenly had visions of buying the alien a comb…” “Shut up!” Rose said, between gales of laughter. “You’re gonna make me run off the bloody road, ya git!” “The alien clone advanced on Rose, his smoldering eyes burning like a bonfire at a boy scout weenie roast. “No,” Rose said, backing away. “I cannot love you for I love another. I’m in love with the man who just booted me out the door and made me babysit you.” The alien grabbed her roughly. “But I have a gi-normous womb broom and I’m not afraid to use it!” Rose suddenly saw him in a different light. “Well, since you put it that way…” she said, throwing him down on the sand, ripping his clothes off and scattering them to the four corners of the Earth.” Rose smacked him repeatedly on the arm. “SHUT UP!” she said as Alan laughed hysterically. “You’re gonna make me wet myself and then I’ll grab the Harlequin book and beat ya to death with it!” Both Alan and Awinita roared with laughter when Rose had to pull off the road just so she could get her giggling under control. “Awinita,” she said when she could get a breath, “do not ever let Alan near another Harlequin Romance book ever again!” She took a breath and held her aching sides. “God, Alan, you’re gonna be the death of me, I know it,” she said. She took another breath and stared at him. “Now you listen here, Stitch, you read your quantum physics book quietly and quit making me laugh so hard I can’t drive, you got that?” “Can I make you laugh when you get done driving?” “Yes, you can, but until then, behave yourself. Don’t force me to tie you up and throw you in the back.” “Fair enough,” he said, shrugging. “I shall contain myself and refrain from quoting cheesy erotic romance fiction to you.” “Thank you.” She took another deep breath, checked for traffic and drove back onto the road. Alan opened his book and started to read. He grinned and glanced at Rose. Clearing his throat, he began to read aloud in the same breathy, melodramatic voice he had used earlier. “Quantum theory is the most stunningly successful theory in all of science. Not a single one of its predictions has ever been wrong. Quantum mechanics has revolutionized our world. One-third of our economy depends on products based on it. However, this physics can look like mysticism. Quantum experiments display an enigma that challenges our classical worldview.” “Alan, damn it!” Rose said, laughing. “You’re just like the Doctor; you don’t listen, do ya?” “Sorry, love, couldn’t resist giving you one more giggle,” he said, patting her arm. Rose shook her head and looked back at Awinita. “If I were you, I’d buckle your safety belt, I have a feeling you might need it between here and Gatlinburg,” she said.
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