Vacation

Vacation
Chapter One

“You’re lost, aren’t you?” asked AnnaLynn, giving her husband a glare that could’ve stopped a stampede of rhinos.

This so-called “vacation” had been Paul’s idea from the very beginning. He had planned for the family to stay in California over the children’s two week Christmas—or to be politically correct—Winter Break. They had packed their bathing suits, shorts, and suntan lotion, ready for two full weeks of fun in the sun.
It had taken two days to get to California from Salt Lake City. Their brand new Ford F-150 had broken down in the middle of Nevada, miles from any form of civilization. Luckily, Kayla had packet her scooter. She set it up at lightning speed, and being six years old, had insisted that Paul wear her Barbie helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards.

AnnaLynn almost wet herself from laughing as Paul propelled himself down the deserted highway, decked out in pink and struggling to keep his pants on his waist. The family vacation photo album was sure to be full of pages titled “Say No to Crack!”

The news was not good in behalf of the truck. Something had happened with the transmission, and the radiator had pulled an Old Faithful. It would take several weeks and almost $2,000 dollars to get things up and running again. Paul refused to pay for it; calling the dealership they had purchased the truck from, and insisted that they pay for it because it had only been one week since purchase, so their inspectors were not doing their jobs correctly. The dealership had consented after several hours and “Hold, please”-es. They also agreed to pay for the rental car to get them the rest of the way to California.

Much to Anna’s surprise, they were given a Cadillac Escalade. They transferred their luggage into the trunk, strapped in baby Joe’s car seat, and ushered the two girls into the back row of seats. Danielle, who was almost sixteen, shoved her earbuds in before Paul had even started the engine.

The family rolled out of Elko with their new set of wheels at 6 pm, already behind schedule. It was sure to be a long drive, and Danielle needed driving hours to get her license, and this was her chance to finish up. Paul was sent back with Kayla while his oldest child adjusted the seat so she could reach the pedals and see over the dashboard at the same time. Danielle plugged her iPod into the stereo and selected her Ella Fitzgerald playlist.

The sun was beginning to set as Ella’s deep vibrato emanated from the speakers. Joe began snoring softly in his car seat, and Paul slept with his face pressed against the window, since Kayla had stretched across the back seat, fast asleep.

“Honey, we haven’t talked in a very long time.” AnnaLynn said quietly.

“Yeah…” Danielle said distractedly, signaling and changing lanes. After a long paused, she said, “Mom, I’m worried about Katie.”

“What?” AnnaLynn sat up, alarmed, “Why?”

“I think… Mom, I think Eric…” She swallowed, her voice broke as she continued, “I think Eric is abusing her.”
Tears trickled down her cheeks, “Mom, the other night she came over to help me with our calculus homework, and she had bad bruises all over her neck and arms. Her lip was cut, and her hips hurt. I think Eric beat her.”

“Eric is her boyfriend? Eric Winlap?”

“Yeah. They’ve been dating for about a year. Mom, what do I do? What if he kills her?” The panic was making her voice rise in pitch.

“Ssshh…calm down. It’s okay. Did she tell you that he hit her?”

“No! She flat out denied it!” Danielle was sobbing as silently as she could so she wouldn’t wake the baby. “Mom, I can’t see.”

“Pull over, sweetie. I’ll drive.” AnnaLynn’s heart was breaking for her daughter.

Mother and daughter traded places quickly, closing the doors as softly as they could. Danielle curled up in a ball and laid her head down on the arm rest between the seats. AnnaLynn reached behind the seat without taking her eyes off of the road and pulled a pillow into the front seat.

“Danielle, here’s a pillow. Sleep. Everything will be alright. I promise.”

Danielle couldn’t think of a reply, so she laid there with her eyes wide, tears dripping sideways down her face, leaving a growing wet spot on the pillowcase. She didn’t know when she finally drifted off to sleep until she awoke to find herself in warm, sundrenched Southern California.