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December 23, 1997

The hunter green 1995 model Ford Taurus was finally loaded down with all of the family's luggage, including the decorative bags and boxes of Christmas presents for the children from Santa, as well as for all of the numerous family members that would be gathered together to celebrate the joyous season.

From where she was standing Lacey Williamson could hear her husband Andy's small sigh of annoyance as he closed the trunk of the car with a slight snap. He had not had an easy time of cramming all of the parcels and suitcases into the small space. He couldn't imagine that all these much stuff was needed to make the holidays special.

Not that Lacey would ever admit it to him, but she could acknowledge to herself that she might have gone just the tiniest bit overboard when it came to buying presents. But Christmas was, and always had been, her favorite time of the year. Her favorite way to celebrate was to give thoughtful and loving gifts to all of those that she cared deeply for. Each year she told herself that she would not get as much stuff, yet she always did or purchased even more. 

Lacey was bent over at the waist, leaning down into the back seat of the vehicle to fasten her squirming children into their seats. Bella was six years old and Jackson was eight. Both had far more energy than any one child should posess. She tried to keep space between them so that they were forced to keep their hands to themselves, as aggravating each other seemed to be these twos favorite way to pass time on road trips. 

Lacey smiled at her beautiful children. Jack had brown hair like his mother and father, with the big brown eyes to match. Bella was born with golden blonde hair and large hazel eyes, which is how she had been dubbed with the nickname Sunny. Because her Daddy told her that her hair looked like spun sunshine and her personality was just as golden.

“There you go, Miss Sunny Bunny". You are all buckled in.” Lacey told her daughter, giving her tiny belly a quick tickle to make the child laugh and squeal.

Lacey closes the door before she walks around the front of the car to reach the passenger side. Opening the back passenger door, she tells her son to lean back in his seat so that she can pull the seatbelt around him. Once she has him fastened in as well, she admonishes him.

“There you go, Jackster. Now, do not antagonize your sister in any way. Your father is already in a foul mood and if the two of you start fighting, it is going to be a very long, very unpleasant trip for everyone. Same goes for you, little miss. Do not bother your brother.”

“Okay Mom!” He says with a bite in his tone and she narrows her eyes at him in warning. He immediately sits up straight.

"Want to try that again?" Lacey asks him with a raised brow, referring to his brisk response.

"I won't mess with her." He says in a grudging tone. 

Sunny nods at her mother sweetly, “I won't bother him, Mommy.”

Nodding in satisfaction, she ruffles his hair and grins at her daughter before she closes the door. Her husband Andy looks at her over the top of the car and smiles at her. “So.. I am in a mood, am I?”

His perfectly straight, white teeth contrast to the thick fullness of his shortly trimmed beard when he grins. His brown hair is just a little bit longer than his job prefers it to be, but Lacey loves to run her fingers through his full head of hair, so he keeps the longer length just for her. His warm brown eyes are crinkled at the corners from his large smile. He is so handsome, Lacey thinks to herself, not for the first time. He is like a giant, cuddly teddy bear. Those magnificent dimples are a bonus also. They make him look absolutely sexy. 

Lacey grins at him and shrugs. “I had to sell it, in order to get him to behave. You know how it is..”

“Mhhmmm..” Andy grins. “Sure you did. You know that you just like to make me seem like the bad guy so that the kids like you more!”

“Oh hush! ” Lacey blows him a kiss before she gets in the car, closing the door on his chuckle. But she doesn't deny his words. She knows that he was just joking, because both of them are equally loved by the children. However, the children seem to think that Mom's a game but Dad is the name, meaning that Dad is too be listened to with no fussing or excuses. 

When he joins them in the car, he starts the engine and backs down the drive way and out into the street. They are getting a later start than they had originally wanted. It is around a twelve to thirteen hour drive from Billings, Montana to Lacey's parent's home in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

They had originally planned to leave at seven that morning to make it to Minneapolis by a reasonable time, but Lacey had received a phone call from a distressed patient that was having a bit of an emergency. With it being the holidays, and a stressful time for most, she couldn't in good concious ignore the woman's distress. By the time that she had handled the situation, it was well after ten o'clock in the morning.

Now it was nearer to eleven as they are finally hitting the road. Lacey had already called her mother to warn her that they would be pretty late when they finally got there. But they had to make it today because the family was celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve with Lacey's family, then they were planning on leaving that night to drive the hour and a half to Eau Claire, Wisconsin to celebrate Christmas Day with Andy's family.

“Was your mother okay with waiting up that late for us? It could be midnight by the time we actually get there.” Andy asks Lacey, who nods at him. Lacey knoes that he is slightly disgruntled by the fact that they are behind schedule, but he would never say anything to make her feel bad about it. Andy gets really bothered if he has a plan and things don't go according to it. He is the kind of person that puncuality is of the utmost importance. He thinks it looks bad to be late. 

“My brother Tom is staying there as well, with his family. He and Lisa said that they would wait up for us, to let us in the house and to help us get settled in..” Lacey tells him.

“Is there even going to be room for us to stay there if Tom and his family are there?” Andy asks. Lacey knows that Andy and her older brother Tom don't get along too well, but as long as they both act polite and cordial to one another, she is content to ignore it. 

“Yes, of course there is room. Mom put them in the basement. She has us in my old room and the kids in the boys old room, since it already has the two twin beds still in it.” Lacey tells Andy and he nods. “Besides, it is just for one night so we can make do for that, can't we?.”

“Yes, I suppose that we can.”

"Good."

They have a pleasant start to their journey, with conversation flowing easily between them. In the back seat the kids are being perfect. Jack is playing with his Nintendo game boy pocket and listening to music on his panasonic shock wave portable cd player.

He has the LL Cool J album to entertain him. Sunny has her cd player and The Backstreet Boys album to keep her entertained. She is singing the songs quietly, wiggling her shoulders as she dances along. She has her Polly Pocket travel case and figures to play with, as well as a Lisa Frank notebook with scented markers and colorful stickers. If all else fails, she has a few ideas for road games to keep them entertained. 

Lacey has a cooler tucked between them, filled with sodas, cut fruits, and sandwiches. In a grocery store bag in the floor board is chips and snack cakes, as well as crackers and canned meat.

They plan to only stop for bathroom breaks and refills of gasoline. If they stop for anything else, they will never make it to Minneapolis on time. Beside, driving in December through Montana, you are bound to run into some snowfall that could potentially slow you down. They need to save time as much as they possibly can. Hazardous weather could definitely be a major setback in their schedulted driving time. 

Driving through Billings is slow going, because there is already snow on the ground and there is the usual slow flow of holiday traffic. Everyone traveling to be with family for the season or to see loved ones cause the roads to be congested. Factor in all the rodeo cowboys driving in with trucks and trailors, only to make traffic conditions worse.

There is a big rodeo event happening in Billings on the day after Christmas. Everyone assumed that it wouldn't get a very large crowd, because the riders and other entertainers would prefer to be with their families, but that was not the case. Lacey commented on the vastness of the crowd and Andy nods.

“It is funny how some people have completely different priorities than others. These men would rather spend Christmas in a tiny camper trailer with only their horse and a bottle of booze for company, instead of being with their loved ones at this time of year. All for the chance to go eight seconds with a ton of angry animal for a couple thousand dollars at most.” Andy shakes his head. “I will certainly never understand the allure, that is for sure.”

“Me either. Their poor mothers, wives and children.” Lacey says sadly. The thought of those people out there, spending their holidays missing their family member and worrying about their safety is enough to have her upset.

“Try not to think about it, honey.” Andy tells her. He knows how emotional she gets when she thinks of others in pain. He doesn't want her to worry herself to tears on account of people that she will never know.

“I know. I won't.” Lacey tells him but he can see the moisture in her eyes. Too late.

“Oh.. honey...” Andy shakes his head in exasperated fondness. 

“I know! I can't help it!” Lacey cries out. For the next three minutes she sniffles while her husband smiles with fond indulgence. When she has composed herself she turns to him. “I'm sorry. It just really bothers me..”

“ I know it does. You wouldn't be the woman that I loved if you didn't cry at the thought of random strangers feeling sadness.” Andy tells her. Andy loves everything about his wife but especially her sensitive side and concern for others well being. 

He looks at his wife, with her long brown hair that hangs in loose curls down to her waist. She is tall and slim, with curves in all the right places. Her delicate features and smile will make you weak in the knees. To say that she is very beautiful is an understatement. He fell in love with her the first time he laid eyes on her and just keeps falling more in love each day.

Her personality is what won him over in the first place, despite her eye-catching beauty. She is incredibly intelligent, kind and compassionate, but she has a dry wit and a great sense of humor. They have been married for nine years and he has truly cherished every day with her.

He was twenty and she was eighteen, almost nineteen when she got pregnant. That was in the late eighties and the families were scandalized by the thought of what people might say about them or what everyone would think. Their parents got involved in the situation. Their parents seemed to be more concerned about what society would think and Andy was just concerned with starting a family with the girl of his dreams. 

Within a few weeks Andy and Lacey were in front of a minister at Lacey's parent's small Lutheran church. Their first place together was a tiny one bedroom apartment that was over top of a small, privately owned flower shop. Unseemly to some, maybe, but to these two it was the perfect place. 

The little old lady who owned the apartment rented it out already furnished. That was a nice concept, especially to two young and incredibly poor children just starting out on their own. The only problem was that their couch was from the seventies. It was yellow velvet with dark red floral patterns and felt like sitting on a stack of bricks lined with the itchiest fabric known to man.

All of the appliances were outdated and there was even shag carpet, to add insult to injury. But it had been home for two years of their lives and it still held a special place in their hearts. It always would. It was the place that they had brought their newborn son home to. It was the home that started their perfect little family.

Lacey's mother had watched the baby for them while they both attended college classes. Andy went for two years, getting his Associates degree in Finance, minoring in Business. He used the degree to become a banker. Lacey went to school for four years to get a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, minoring in Substance Use Disorders.

She always regretted that she couldn't afford to get her doctorate to become a psychologist. But by that point she had two children, which left neither the money, time, nor inclination to pursue further schooling. Instead, she was able to get a job through their church, counciling people in need. This job fit with her personality and the fact that she hated to see people sad and displaced. 

She also works closely with social services, so several of her 'patients' are victims of abuse or recovering addicts who have trouble facing their sins. Lacey finds the work very rewarding, despite the long, grueling hours that she devotes to it. There are times when she is called out in the middle of the night to sit and talk with a woman who just had her children taken from her.

Or to talk to a teen that was the victim of a sexual assault, or a child that lost a parent to a drug overdose. In these instances, she drops what she is doing and goes. Luckily for her, Andy is supportive of her career, never shaming her for the erratic hours. His support means the world to her. He is always there to stay with the kids and offer her encouragement.

“Would you mind getting me a soda out, please? I am dying of thirst.”

Andy's voice breaks into her thoughts and she turns to face him. “Yeah, sure.”

Reaching back into the second row, she opens the cooler and rifles through the ice to find a can of pepsi. She closes the cooler and wipes the ice chips and water from the can. Popping the top, she hands it to him, watching as he takes a big chug of it. He hands it back and she takes a small drink, before she places it in the cup holder.

A glance at the radio and cassette player shows the time; Lacey is surprised to find that they have been on the road for forty-five minutes. Lacey turns in her seat to face the children.

Sunny's toys lay in the floor board at her feet, while her head rests on her arm against the window. She is sound asleep. Riding in cars has always put her to sleep, ever since she was a small baby. Many a night found Andy driving her up and down the street to quiet her constant wailing.

Jack is still playing his gaming console, singing under his breath as he nods his head to the music. Lacey waves her hand to get his attention. “How are you doing, sweetie?”

“Bored.” Jack answers promptly. “But I'm fine, Mom.” Jack gives her a smile to show her that he is game for the trip and Lacey smiles back. She has two wonderful children and a perfect husband. She is so incredibly lucky.

“Good. Continue on with your game, then.” Lace turns back around to look out at the road.

“So far, despite the heavy traffic, we are making good time. We are about ten minutes away from passing Hysham.” Andy says and Lacey nods.

“Good. I can't wait to get there. Hopefully the weather and the traffic will cooperate with us and we can make it to Mom and Dad's by ten or so.” Lacey tells her husband. Lacey is anxious to see her family and spend time with them.

“That might just be wishful thinking, but I am with you. Here is hoping that everything goes well and we make it there by ten.” Andy smiles at her.

Off to the side of the road is a sign letting them know that they are quickly approaching Hysham, Montana. Minutes later they pass the sign and the road to go there. One hour into their trip is completed. Ten plus hours still left to go.

This already felt like too long a ride and they were barely getting started. A small part of Lacey wanted to turn back and head for home. She couldn't describe the feeling, and it was fleeting, but she just had a bad feeling about this trip that she could not explain. It almost felt like de ja vu.

Shaking it off and casting it from her mind, she ignored the thoughts. Her mind drifts to Christmas gifts and seeing her family members for the first time in a few months. The thought of finally getting to hug her parents puts a smile on her face and restores her good mood. She can already picture just how excited her parents will be to hug their grandbabies. 

A glance over the seat shows that Jack appears to have fallen asleep as well, since his eyes are closed. His headphones are still on his head and there is the faintest humm of music drifting from them, so she figures that he must still be listening to his music.

Since she and Andy have lapsed into silence while he focuses on the road, she reaches over to flick on the radio. It is set on a country station and immediately the sound of Willie Nelson's voice croons over the air waves to fill the car.

It seems fitting that the song that is playing is On The Road Again. The perfect song for road trips and such since the eighties. Andy, a big fan of Willie Nelson's music, starts singing along to the song.

“Going places that I've never been.. seeing things that I may never see again.. oh, I can't wait to get on the road again..”

Lacey smiles indulgently. She loves her husband more than life itself and in her eyes he is perfect in so many ways, except for one small flaw. The man is tone deaf, way off key and he couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. Not that she minds. She's no Tanya Tucker herself. But she loves to sing and she enjoys music. 

There are many a night where cooking with the radio on in the kitchen has lead to Andy twirling her about the room as they both belt out whatever goldie oldie happens to be playing. Sometimes the kids come in to see if food is ready and dance with them. 

Just the night before they had danced around the kitchen to Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan sing Baby It's Cold Outside. By the time the song was over Andy had Lacey bent over his arm in a dip and he was kissing her senseless.

It was moments like those that made her life perfect. She had two wonderful children, the perfect loving husband, a beautiful home and a fulfilling career. She was blessed beyond measure and she knew it. She saw all the bad in the world, with her job. Yet she was never touched by it personally. Her life was so pure and sweet, nothing bad ever seemed to happen to them.