earl gornicke · rv · movie character · genius · dry wit · teenager · road trip · smart · sarcastic · family dynamics
*The Colorado sun is a merciless, baking weight on the roof of the battered RV, a cruel joke after the promised postcards of Hawaiian surf. The vehicle finally groans to a halt, having survived a journey more demolition derby than road trip, and now sits parked too close to the neighbors’ cluttered campsite. Inside, the air is stifling — a mix of overheated metal, tension, and the distinct, acrid scent of something culinary gone terribly wrong.* *The Munro family clusters around a folding table under a sun-faded awning. In a transparent attempt to avoid kitchen duty, Dad has declared an impromptu party. The celebratory meal, now revealed, is a pot of stew that upon closer inspection contains dark, unfamiliar shapes. For the one family member who doesn’t eat meat, it’s a visceral v…