Crazy Family Crazy Ride

I have always believed we humans have the potential to be good or evil. No matter who we are, everyone carries the darkness within them. Difficult situations bring out the extra ordinary good or sadistic evilness.  

“Hurry up kids, we need to get going.” I want to get to the beach in time for us to swim. The ocean was our get away. This was the first trip that we were taking without my husband. We were going through a divorce. The kids were nervous about the trip,and each brought a pocketknife as well as a bat. I always carried a little hammer under my seat, just in case. I have never had to use it.  We are a special kind of family.  Our family favorite family time includes scary movies, and we show our love by scaring each other. As a matter of fact, I made my son cry at 11, by having him pose with me to win a visit to the walking deadset. He was lying dead under me; I was standing up holding a sharp knife. The knife I supposedly killed him with. Let me add, he was a zombie. I am clumsy and he was crying because he thought I was going to drop a knife on him. Not my best mom moment.

Driving from Arizona to California is such a boring ride. My both kids were so involved with their phones that my thoughts were all I had. It felt good to plan a trip on my own and follow through. I did not need my husband to come with me on a trip. The ocean called my name so no matter how much sorrow I carried the sound of the ocean drown it out. Or I thought. I could not stop thinking about the lies my husband had told and if I had wasted the last five years of my life. I had put up with his drinking, lies and cheating. I could have my own country song or even my own Lifetime movie. He cheated with this low life, drug addict slut. 

Mom, “ Can you stop so we can eat, asked Seba?” No, what did I tell you? I packed snacks and sandwiches so we could save money.  The kids went back to gluing themselves to their phones. Luckily, I started listening to Jodee Messina and Maluma so time flew by. I was at the point on searching the house we had rented. I love the ocean. The house was about 5 minutes walking distance from the beach in Oceanside.  We were meeting my friend and her family. She actually came with her faithful, loving husband. Lucky, I guess those types of men do exist. 

The weekend went by boogie boarding, jumping the waves, and eating. I was the host at the beach house. My friend Julie would help me cook. We would eat and then head to the beach. Our last day we spent in shopping in Old Town. We ended up shopping until 7. My friend and her husband wanted us to wait for our family to go back to Tucson together, but I told her not to. My daughter was getting a candle made. I did not want them waiting.

It was dark already. I regretted not leaving earlier with my friend. The kids and I walk towards our SUV, a grey Ford Explorer. Ariella, a beautiful, strong independent young woman was telling me to stay close to her. I could hear footsteps behind us, so I told the kids to hurry up. My daughter and son heard them to. The footsteps sounded louder and faster. We reachedthe vehicle and we all jumped in and I lock the doors. We look all around to see who was walking behind us. We did not see anyone. “Mom, lets go, said Seba. Seba stands for Sebastian. It is our nickname for him. He is great at everything he tries. Both of my kids are athletic. 

I headed out of the parking lot and left. I did not see anyone behind me. I have seen several Forensic files episodes to know that I need to be careful. We were on the road for 45 minutes. Everything seemed fine but I had a strong feeling that there was something wrong. We drove for another 20 minutes when a car hit me from behind. “Shit, how did this happen?” The kids woke up all scared. “What happened. “I do not know. I pulled over to the side. I got out of the car. 

A good-looking guy with a glasses got out of the car. He had muscles that were bulging out of his shirt. He looked like a Mexican Clark Kent. “Kids, stay in the car.” “I am sorry, stated the man. I was thinking that this may be a nice coincidence. I meet some juicy guy. “ Are you ok, ask the Man.” My name is Jose. “We are okay, what happened.” “Honestly, I was on my phone and did not realize how close you were.” “Well luckily, there is not too much damage.” “How is your car?” I asked. It has a little damage. Well, it is late. Why don’t we just exchange insurance information. “Sure, Clark stated. As I turned around, he grabbed my arm and pulled me back to face him. He had a gun. It was facing me. 

“Look bitch, if you do not want be to kill you or the kids you will do as I say.” Handsome Mexican Clark said. Oh my God, what I had done, what situation had I got us in. The first trip we take without my husband and I get us kill. “Do you understand me bitch. “ Look , I do not have money, take the car and leave me and the kids here”. “ No, I have the fucken gun, I will tell you what to do. We are going to get in the car. I am going to get in the car with your kids in the back and if you do anything, I will kill them. “

Ariella had noticed the guy taking out the gun. She dialed the police. She was able to tell them what was going on but had no idea where she was. Seba get your knife. Hide it. Be ready. Seba, was having trouble breathing. His asthma was acting up. “Seba, take deep breath and I need you bud.” She noticed that the man was coming into the car and she slid her phone under the sit. She left it on and muted it. Ariella was sitting in the front. The man sat and pulled Seba towards him and held a gun to his head. “Get in Bitch.” I was so mad that he grabbed my son by his head and yanked it towards him. 

I got in tears running down my face. I was shaking. I was trying to keep it together. Oh, God, please help us. “The man got on his phone, “ I got them.” We will meet you soon. Sir, please take me and leave the kids. Please, I beg you. “Start the fucken car and stay on the freeway. 

I started the car, and I was glad to see the gas light. This may be an opportunity to try something. “The car needs gas,” I stated. He moved up to see the gaslight. Pull off at the next exit and you will get off and put gas. If you try anything, you will die. I turn around and he hit my shoulder with his gun. The pain was excruciating. He hit my cheek. It was bleeding. The kids started crying. “Kids I am fine.” 

I pulled off the exit. I was pulling into the gas station. I got off. I looked back at my kids and this evil man that was holding them hostage. Who knows who he was going to do to them. Oh my diosito, please help me. As I was pumping the gas, a car drove up. It was a man in a Marine suit. He made eye contact as soon as he drove up. He got off and asked if I was ok.

Santiago was on his way back to visit his kids. He had a vacation. He was stressed because of how long he had gone without seeing his kids and he did not know if his ex-wife was going to let him see his kids. He had pulled off to put gas. As he was pulling up to the pump, he notice a beautiful women with highlighted hair to her shoulders, a beautiful shape. He all of the sudden stopped thinking about his problems. When they made eye contact. She looked scared and he noticed that she had a cut on her cheek, and it was bleeding. He got out of his car as soon as he stopped to check on her. “Are you ok?”I am Santiago. She took a while to answer. She looked like she wanted to ask for help. “I am fine.” What happened to your cheek?  

“Stop talking to my lady.” He saw a man stand up while holding his son. He ignored the man and turned around and asked her again. “Are you ok?” Did he hit you? He did not know why but he had a bad feeling and felt a bit protective over her.  “I am ok.” “Please, just let us be.” Thank you, sir.

He walked away and started pumping. Something was wrong. The kids looked like they had been crying and so did the woman. He saw the woman get in the car. There was something wrong. “Shit” he got in his car and decided to follow him. 

I felt so bad. He was holding on so tight to my son. Poor my son. How the hell were we going to get out of this. My son was starting to have trouble breathing, “He needs his inhaler, I yelled . Where is it, the man said. Ariella said, “I know where it is I can jump back and get it. Go ahead, Ariella jumped back and started going through Seba’s bag. The guy placed his gun to the side to pull Seba up. He got the inhaler and was handing it off to him. Ariella took a knife and stabbed him in the neck. Them Seba took his knife and stabbed him in his chest. He hit Seba, the gun went under the seat. I hurried and pulled over. The kids were struggling with the guy. I got off with my little hammer,pulled Seba off and was going to hit the guy with the hammer but he was already passing out . The kids got off and all came to hug me. 

A car pulled up behind us. Seba gave me the gun. I held it up. It was the marine. He got out of the car. I held up the gun. I pointed towards him. “mom, what if he is the guy he called?” 

Santiago, saw the woman pointing a gun and the kids were full of blood. “What the hell did he get himself in. All for wanting to save a beautiful woman. “I am here to help. I don’t know what is going on, but I am here to help. I knew something was wrong back there in the gas station. Look, I can show you my identification. I am Sergeant Lopez. I am a marine. I was on my way home to see my kids. “Mom, don’t believe him,” Seba said. Look, I can throw my identification over. I will throw it to your son. Ok, I said. I was shaking and did not know what to believe. I was in shock. My kids murder a man in my car. 

Seba and Ariella look at his identification. Mom, it looks real. I placed the gun down. “ Mom , he called somebody. We should look at his phone.” Ariella said, “We should call the cops,”I said. Mom I called the cops but they did not come. Get your phone and let’s go. For the moment , they forgot about the marine standing staring in awe. 

Santiago could not believe what he was seeing. A family having a conversation trying to figure out if they should retrieve the phone or call the cops. “Excuse me, I think you are probably safe if we go somewhere public and call the cops. He walked up to the car and saw a man bleeding with stab wounds on his neck and chest. What happened?”  “I am sorry, the woman held her hand out.” I am Laura and this man was holding my family hostage. He was taking us somewhere. 

I am Santiago and I think we should leave. If he was calling someone, they may be nearby “Mom, my phone is dead. No wonder the cops did not find us.” You can call from my car,and we should go some where else. “kids, get your things and lets go, just your bags.” “ Mom, let’s just take our car.” “Good thinking Seba, what do we do with the body.” “Just push it out.” “No, let us leave and we need to leave it for the cops, as evidence. 

They all got in the car. “Um, you are all pretty calm for everything you have gone through,” Santiago stated. Seba had gotten the man’s phone. I was carrying the phone.  “I think we are all in shock.” I stated. “I am calling the cops.” Hello, my daughter called earlier, and we were being held hostage by a man. We were able to get away, but we killed the man. We are on highway 10 by marker 21. We are heading to a public place. I am with Santiago Lopez. He is driving us. He has a grey mustang. We are getting off at the next exit. 

They got off the road that an officer told were to go. Laura had not noticed how good-looking Santiago was. He was about 6 feet, olive skin and had short black hair. He must of think that their family was crazy. They had not reacted like normal people. They were crying but had not freaked out. Who knows how this would affect them later. The kids had killed a man. She did not protect them. They protected her. How would this affect them, would they be arrested?

“Laura are you ok,” asked Santiago. She had noticed how the tears were coming down her face. I guess I am not ok. He grabbed her hand; you will be ok. She just looked at him and said thanks. 

Santiago did not know why he had done that. He could not imagine what she must be going through as a parent. Her kidshad been held hostage. He wondered where her husband was,but she was not wearing a wedding ring. The funny thing is he grabbed her hand and she did not let go of his hand. 

They arrived at the circle K and police officers were waiting for them. They got out of the car . They explained the situation to the police. They turned over the phone to the cops. Santiago refused to leave even when the officers told him he was free to go. 

“Laura, where were you heading” We were heading to Tucson. . I can take you to your home. “ I can ask you to do that.” “I am offering,” They are not going to let you take your car.” I guess a police officer could take you home or if you have someone to pick you up. I will make sure you get home safe; I promise you that.” “ You know, if you can take us home that will be fine but we may be here for many hours.” I will be happy to take you wait,” stated Santiago.

Laura and the kids were interviewed for another few hours. The kids had asked her to call her dad but she did not want them to. He was on a trip with his new girlfriend. They were actually out of town.  The police had gotten food for them. The kids were eating but Laura could not eat. She was so stressed and upset. They had found the body in the car and identify the male. The police officers were also going through his phone. They believed they were all going to be trafficked.  

“Mam, can you come with us? The captain asked her. She looked at Santiago. I will stay with your kids.” She looked at the kids, gave them a hug and a kiss and followed the police officer to his office. Mrs. Quintero, do you know who Gloria Montano is?  Why? Well, she is my husband’s girlfriend. But I do not know why you are asking. The sergeant and the other officer in the office looked at each other. You are married, correct? asked the officer. “We are separated.” I answered. They went on vacation to California. When was the last time you talked to them? Daniel call the kids on Thursday before we left. Were there any problems between you or your husband or his girlfriend. “ We have a business and we have been arguing on how to split it up. They wanted me just to sign the business over to them. I was not going to do that. I hired a lawyer to do that. “What is going on,” I pleaded. " Mrs. Quintero, please wait here,” said the sergeant.

What the hell, was going on? Why were they asking about Gloria and Daniel? This is crazy. Were they thinking that they were involved? She knew Gloria was a greedy skank but Daniel. He was a good dad, not a good husband. As soon as the business was doing well. He changed. All he cared was about the business and boasting about it. He stopped paying attentionto his family and wife. When Gloria started working , she noticed how he had changed. She would be rude to her and when she would tell her husband, he would always defend that bitch. Later, she hired a detective and found out they had a relationship for three years. It was such a blow to her ego. Everyone at their business knew about their affair and no one told her about it. They had a Mexican restaurant. He had initially denied it until she showed him pictures that the detective had taken. He was so mean to her when she initially asked him about her suspicions. He of course said, it was all in her head.

She was interrupted by door opening. It was Santiago. “How are you?” “you have been here for a while, the kids were asking about you. You have great kids. They are smart and well mannered. “Thank you, “. He sat right next to her. She started crying and hugged him.  He was surprised. They had just met and she was crying on his shoulder. He held her and just wanted to make her feel better. He was glad he stayed behind. She was even beautiful with all her tears. “What is going on? The police officer is asking me about my husband and her girlfriend. “What, are you serious?” She just looked at him. Oh, I am sorry. I just think that may be a mistake. “I don’t think he would do anything to hurt me, but his girlfriend is a fucken greedy whore.” Sorry, excuse my language.” No, don’t worry, said, Santiago. “The sergeant left, and he said he would come back. They are taking long, and I just don’t even know what to tell they children.” She started crying again. He grabbed her hand and told her, “wait until they get all the information before you make assumptions.” “I know it looks bad, but just wait.”  

Santiago did not know what to say because this was not looking well for her husband or girlfriend. He was glad he stayed, she needed someone. He was not leaving her side until he knew she was safe. A young detective came in. He looked at Laura. He stared at her for a minute. For that minute, Santiago started to feel uncomfortable, maybe even a little jealous. Finally, the detective spoke. We can assign you a police officer to stay with you. As a matter of fact, I can personally be part of your detailed. At that point, I just spoke without thinking. I will be taking care of her. I am a marine. I will take care of her. The detective asked, and who are you. I am Santiago, her boyfriend. Santiago did not understand his reaction. He just turned and looked at Laura to see her reaction. She just looked at him and smiled. She did not say anything.