Miss Teen Texas 2011 and her parents were heading down Interstate 45 towards the ocean. The tops of palm trees peaked over the high concrete sides of the highway, bouncing and shaking in the wind. The August heat made rivulets in the air over the asphalt. The father drove, his Oakley sunglasses flashing blue rainbows across the roof of the Suburban. Next to him sat the mother, tanning-bed legs in crisp white shorts that rode up her smooth thighs. She drummed her manicured fingers on the center console, the silver charms on her bracelet tinkling.
Words © Katy Jones / Photo © Sanja Bistricic