“Great!” the wife exclaimed, shaking her head with her hand to her forehead. “You missed the damn ramp!”

“If you were better at giving me a heads up, this wouldn’t happen!” the husband threw his hand up at the windshield. “I’ll just take the road straight in, maybe the scenic route will help loosen you up.”

“Oh, I’m uptight? Here we go again!” she attempted to quiet her voice halfway through.

“I’m just saying, you are always stressing over every little thing,” he uttered with a low breath.

“If I didn’t worry about everything nothing would get done,” she mumbled watching the trees pass. That’ll change tonight, she proudly thought.

“There it is. You always make me feel like I’m useless,” his grip tightened on the steering wheel.

“Well, then you need to start being more useful,” she glared back at him.

“Everything I do is never good enough. I gave up trying because I was ‘damned if I do, damned if I don’t,’ so why waste my time?” his eyes jetted off the road to her for a moment, feeling the water build up in the corner of his eye.

“Well, you could at least try. I’m tired of taking the lead and having to control everything. If I wasn’t around this family would fall apart,” her voice stretched and enveloped the entire car. That’s why this is happening. Not me, them, she thought.

“Mommy, are you okay?” A tiny voice came from the backseat.

“Yes, baby. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get so loud,” she grinned reaching back to touch his leg. She turned to look behind her. Well at least the teenager is in her own world, she rolled her eyes facing forward again.

“How much longer, Mommy?” the tiny voice let out a heavy breath.

“I don’t know, baby. We went a different way,” her shoulders shrugged then a heavy sigh came with it. The way we needed to go at least, she smirked slightly.

The husband glared over the steering wheel. “Of course, it’s my fault,” he placed an arm on the door window and rested his hand on his forehead.

“Don’t start,” she snapped her head to face him again.

“Hope there’s a gas station soon,” he expression stoic.

“There is,” she stated, her voice taking on an unsettling tone. And I hope we get this over with quickly, she thought to herself, her body shivering at the thought.

----------------------------

Here they go again, the teen pulled her headphones tighter. Every trip it’s the same argument. I rather just stayed at home. She slumped further into the seat crossing her arms. Why did I get stuck with this family? Why did they even have kids if all they were going to do is fight? The perfect influence and example they are of why not to have kids.

She rolled onto her shoulder, eyes staring into the forest as it passed by. Mesmerizing as it was she continued to lose focus on the outside world. Her eyes and ears were drawn back to the stimulation within the car.

“Mommy, are you okay?” her brother called out.

Great, now Mom’s attention is on us. She fixed her eyes on the outside world. A sensation tingled across her then disappeared.

Great, she didn’t try to get my attention. Win for me.

She glared through the window at the passing world. The leaves scattered across the ground fluttered in the wind. The darkness encroached on the road as they went further into the forest. She wrapped her arms around herself and pulled her knees up into her hoodie. She let out a deep breath, it condensed into a white fog as it drifted to the ceiling.

“Mom, Dad? Can you turn on the heat?” she asked, rubbing her hands on her arms for warmth.

“Why? It’s 90 degrees out,” the dad raised an eyebrow in the mirror.

“It’s freezing in here,” her teeth chattered as the cold air inside the car nipped at her skin.

“We’re looking for a place to stop for gas soon,” he gestured to the road. “I’ll cut off the AC until we get to a gas station.”

She rolled her eyes and uncrossed her arms. “I guess that’s good enough,” she cracked the window. The warm breeze caught her hair, it whipped wildly catching her off guard. Her headphones slid back and down her hair. The seat cushion sent them flying forward as they bounced into the floor.

She leaned down reaching into the dark floor. A rough scrape nudged her fingertips, she gritted her teeth at the feel. What is that? she thought. With a raised eyebrow, she pulled the object out from the dark. A thick, leather-bound notebook - it was scratched and dent all over, a sign of its frequent usage and age.

She ran her fingers over the corner edge, pulling but the cover didn’t budge. She placed the notebook on her lap the spine down. Over the fore-edge was a four-digit combination lock. Why is this locked? She contemplated caressing the lock. This must be Mom’s journal, a smirk rose on her face.

She began ticking the numbers with her finger. First, her mother’s birthday. Nothing. She continued with her father’s and brother’s, then her parent’s anniversary. Nothing. There’s no way she used my birthday. I’m nowhere close to her favorite. Her fingers began to tumble the numbers, and a grin popped up as she tumbled the last number. Nothing. Of course. The grin faded quickly, her pride had built up only to be shut down in an instant.

“Hey, Mom?” she smirked a little. “What’s your favorite day of the year? Not including all of our birthdays or your anniversary,” she added quickly.

“Well, honestly birthdays are my least favorite anyway. It’s so much hassle,” the mom waved her hand to the side. “I guess May 9th.”

“Why May 9th?” the dad chimed in.

“It’s my grandmother’s birthday. Rest her soul,” the mom placed a hand on her chest.

“No, it isn’t. We did a memorial for her birthday this year. It was May 12th,” the dad furrowed an eyebrow.

“Whatever,” the mom gritted her teeth and turned to face the window.

It’s okay I’ll try both, her fingers itched to get into the journal. She remembered her great-grandmother’s memorial and it was on the 12th, but nothing.

She tumbled 0-5-0-9. Bingo!

------------------------------

The book opened its heavy, leather-bound cover. The inside was filled cover to cover with writings. Dates were scattered throughout with various lengths of writing following them. Yep, definitely her journal, the teen thought.

August 2, 1999

"Finally on my own. Well close enough. I got all my stuff into my dorm room. My roommate doesn’t seem so bad. She’s very peppy, quite the contrast between us. I am so ready to get this chapter in my life started!"

Wow, Mom has really been writing in this thing since college!, the teen smiled and nodded. Curiosity burning inside her, the teen turned to her mother. “Mom, can you tell me how you and Dad first met?” she asked, her gaze filled with interest.

A smile tugged at the mother’s lips as she took her husband’s hand. “It was sophomore year,” she replied, nostalgia evident in her voice. “November 4th.” She continued to talk about it but the teen quickly tuned her out, flipping through the pages to find the entry.

November 4, 2000

"It was an amazing day! I met a guy at the quad! He knows one of the people in our study group. He came over and introduced himself and we could not take our eyes off each other. I giggled so much I feel so embarrassed. He probably won’t even remember me. But WOW the feeling I got!"

Eww. Enough to make me barf, the teen held a hand over her mouth. Definitely skipping on the Mom and Dad early years. She skimmed through the section until she got to important dates that she could recall herself. Dad proposing, their wedding day - skipped a large chunk until after the honeymoon, her birthday, her brother’s birth, job changes, moving days, and deaths in the family.

My Mom’s really an emotional person, she thought to herself. Everything she does to just be strong for us. The teen was curious if Mom was still as emotional as the younger version.

May 12, 2023

"The weight of the day’s events presses heavily on me. Grandmother’s memorial went well, but the emptiness in my heart persists. I wish Dylan could have been there to comfort me. He’s been my rock lately. Stephen, on the other hand, remains distant and emotionless. I fear he’s becoming aware of my feelings for Dylan, or maybe it’s just his normal mood swings. I can’t continue deceiving myself or my husband any longer. What happened the other day has left me torn, and I must make a decision before the stress consumes me entirely."

Wait, what? Who is Dylan?! The teen felt her heart race, grabbing at her own chest, ‘The other day’? What day? She began to flip back and skim the passages of the last few entries.

May 9, 2023

"My head is spinning. It actually happened. Me & Dylan! I don’t know what to do! Is this my fault? I mean I did come on to him. I mean how could I not, he was just so hot without his shirt. His chest, his abs. The way he picked me up and tossed me on the bed…"

She quickly closed the cover before seeing another word on the page. What the hell, Mom!? She felt the heat in her cheeks. She cheated on Dad! Is she still cheating on Dad?! Her fingernails dug into her palms. She swiped open the book, eyes darting across the page, and skimming the entries for any mention of Dylan.

May 27, 2023

"Lately, I find myself growing increasingly restless within the confines of my own life. The weight of responsibilities as a wife and mother feel suffocating. Stephen is always distant, and I yearn for the passion we once had. Perhaps it’s just a phase, but I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something missing. It makes Dylan come to mind."

June 10, 2023

"The distance between Stephen and me continues to grow. I try to reach out, but he seems disinterested. The kids provide some comfort, but even they feel like a reminder of the life I’m trapped in. I crave excitement, something beyond this mundane routine. Dylan helps lift me up, I’ve been seeing more of him lately just to feel alive again."

July 4, 2023

"The 4th of July celebrations were supposed to be joyful, but I felt hollow inside. The fireworks illuminated the sky, yet I couldn’t help but feel like my life lacks any spark. There’s a part of me that longs for adventure, for someone who can ignite a flame within me again. Stephen and I have become more like roommates than partners. The more I am around Dylan the more alive I feel, he really helps me escape all the stress."

August 1, 2023

"My heart races as I write these words. Tomorrow, I take a step towards a new life. I’ve met someone who makes me feel alive again - Dylan. He’s shown me a world of possibilities beyond my current reality. He doesn’t want to be a father, and I no longer wish to be a mother burdened by responsibilities. Together, we can start afresh, free from the constraints of our past. Tomorrow, I will burn this journal, symbolizing the end of one life and the beginning of another with Dylan. My heart aches for the fate of my family, but I must follow my heart’s true desire. Farewell, dear journal, and farewell to the life that was once mine."

“Dad!” The teen shrieked trying to keep her tone calm. Quickly shutting the book and placing it back on the floor. “Dad, Mom’s going to do something to us,” she began hysterically crying.

“Honey, what are you talking about?” the dad tried to console her reaching back to put a hand on her knee.

“Ask Mom about Dylan!” She demanded, “And their plan!”

-----------------------------

A few more miles and we’re exactly where we need to be, the wife felt her chest beating as she held on to her necklace. “We really need to stop for gas soon” she motioned to the gas indicator on the dash lights for her husband.

“I see it. I think the gas station is coming up soon,” he gestured out the windshield. “This road has nothing on it. Hard to believe there is an open gas station way out here.”

“Well, a good thing since we missed the on-ramp.” Just like I hoped, she added thinking with a small smile.

“I wanted to stop before that but you insisted we make it a little further first. And then we missed the ramp.”

“Again. I shouldn’t have to baby you and tell you everything,” she poked and antagonized him.

“You’re giving the directions. I assumed there was another ramp coming if you didn’t say ‘This is the ramp’,” he scowled hitting the steering wheel.

“Well, sorry for not being able to do everything and be everything for you!” she gripped the door handle trying to control her outburst.

“Oh, come one. This again!” he shook his head and leaned on the door rest.

“Dad!” came a shriek from the backseat. “Dad, Mom’s going to do something to us,” the teen continued.

What is this little brat doing? The wife felt sweat building up on her face. She watched him try to console the daughter, everything around her was muted and numb. Her chest was bursting open she swore.

“Dad, what’s wrong?” a tiny voice cried from the backseat.

“Nothing, son. Everything is okay,” he reached back behind himself trying to console their son. “Give him your headphones,” he stated to their daughter. “He doesn’t need to hear this.”

Great. Now I’m about to get a thousand questions while stuck in this car. One more mile I’m sure of it. She felt a bit of hope build.

“I know,” he spoke with a stoic voice and expression. “I’ve known for a while.”

I knew he had suspicions. “Knew what honey?” she tried to be as sincere as she could but hate for them all was strong inside her. “Dylan, he’s just a coworker.”

“Stop lying to me and yourself!” he raised his voice and hand to his wife.

“Oh, you try it! Put a hand on me and it’ll be the last thing you do,” she sat firmly in her seat. No matter what it’s about to be the last thing you do anyway, she screamed in her mind.

“Well, that’s the plan. Isn’t it?” he looked her firmly in the eye, emotionless.

-----------------------------

The teen sat with her knees to her chest, her shirt was soaked from constantly flowing tears. Why can’t everything just go back to the way they were? She placed her head down on her knees and looked out the window watching the darkness swallow the trees and roadside.

It was hard to tune out the ongoing argument between her parents now that she was without her headphones. She gathered Dad knew some about what was happening with Mom and Dylan. Maybe she took the journal too literally thinking that Mom would consider harming any of them.

Dad doesn’t seem that concerned or upset about it. She caught sight of the gas station sign. Great, I need to get out of this car, fast.

“Dad, Mom. The gas station. Can I get out, please?”

“No,” they said simultaneously.

“Sorry, I asked.” She mumbled.

They pulled into the gas station. “Full-service. Great, I don’t even have to get out,” Dad said sarcastically.

“It looks abandoned,” Mom added. A few moments passed and no one came out. “There’s a car here. Someone must be in there.”

“I guess I’ll go check since I don’t do anything,” he muttered to her.

“Shut up and stay here. I need to get out of this car anyway. You start pumping the gas,” she replied swinging the door open.

“Yes, ma’am. Anything you wish.” He stated slamming the door as he got out.

He started to pump the gas until she was in the building. As he opened the driver's door he looked into both children. “Hey, you too.” He pilfered in the door while he spoke. “I love you both. You know I’d never let anything happen to you.”

Why is he saying this now? Is it because of how freaked I was a moment ago? “I just want to get out of this car, Dad” she stated shakily.

“It’s best you stay in here, okay.” He started to have a tear run down his face. “As I said, I’ll protect you from anyone.” He closed the door and started to walk toward the building.

Where is he going? “Dad!” She called hurriedly. What is he doing?

A few moments passed, What is taking them so long? When are we going to get out of here? This place is creepy. Thoughts continued to swirl adding the tension to her body.

She looked over at the car sitting at the station alone. Its personalized license plate on the front was slightly covered by darkness.

Squinting she started to make out the plate, D-Y-L-A-N. Panic set in and she leaned forward looking around to get her bearings. She looked down into the front seat. Did Dad leave his phone?

She reached to grab the dark object in Dad’s seat. It was leather, oddly shaped. She sat back in her seat to examine it. Finally, in clear she recognized it - a pistol holster.

She looked up and out the window. BANG! BANG!, was a short pause. BANG! Dad? She quickly rolled down the window. “Dad! Dad!” she yelled frantically.

Then she heard it one last time, BANG!