"Yeah, but she won't be home for a couple hours. We could be a third of the way back by then."

Thoughts raced through Erin's mind. G.o.d, she'd kill me. Although, Daddy is still up there. G.o.d, she'd kill me... Still, I only get a month a year with Jack... She'll get over it.

"Let's do it!" She knew she would be grounded until next year, but she didn't really care. "I get one month out of the year to see you and we've only had a few days."

"Are you sure, Hawk? I'm being selfish and want to spend more time with you, but I don't want you to deal with the wrath of your mom."

"I haven't even unpacked my suitcase. I just need to shower, change my clothes, and grab my art stuff. We can eat on the road."

"You're serious?" Jack could hardly contain her excitement. "You'll really come back with me?"

"Yeah. Let's get going before my mom decides to come home sooner." She ran to the kitchen and opened drawers, looking for paper.

Jackson watched, amused, happy, and really excited.

"I just need to write her..."

"A note!" they both yelled, and then laughed.

Erin wrote her mom a note with an apology and a promise to call when she got back to the resort. "She's gonna have a major cow, but I won't be here for it and I know she won't drive back to get me with my dad already there."

"Rock and roll! Get going, girl!"

Erin shot a toothy smile at Jackson and ran downstairs to shower and get her stuff together.

Jackson chuckled at her friend's excitement and hoped that Jackie would allow her a few last moments with Erin before she killed her.

The music was blaring from the car windows as the two teenagers sped their way up I-90. They were getting close to Madison and Jackson knew she'd soon have to be watching for her turn off. Erin was bopping to Madonna's 'Like A Prayer' CD in the player. She was singing loudly and badly, much to the amus.e.m.e.nt of her riding buddy. 'Keep it Together' was playing and the two girls began to sing it together.

"Keep people together! Yeah, Mom!" Erin shouted, making Jackson laugh.

They were having a great time in the car, both relieved that the tension between them was gone and they could simply enjoy the company and closeness that was unique in their lives. Both knew that their maternal figures were going to be less than pleased, but somehow the punishment for their crime didn't seem as bad as it would've been to not committ the offense.

For Jackson, having Erin around was like having a new supply of oxygen. Everything seemed clearer, more vivid, and her heart couldn't have been more full. With Erin coming back with her, Jackson was truly a happy girl.

Erin's head was bopping as the last track on the CD was coming to an end. She saw that Jackson got in the far right lane to get onto Route 39. Jackson had only been driving a little less than a year, but Erin thought she was doing a fantastic job.

"Hey, Jack, how'd you find out how to get to my house?"

Jackson pulled the trip ticket out of her pocket and held it out for Erin to see. "Jackie's a member of the motor club and they tell you exactly how to get to places. I looked you up a long time ago and just kept the directions in case I ever wanted to pop in and surprise you." She gave Erin a grin, making Erin giggle.

"I'm sure my mom would've loved that."

Thinking about her mother, Erin was certain she would be home by now. She knew that she would be beyond angry at her decision to get in the car with Jackson and drive all the way back to the IslandCity. As she thought about what punishment her mother might devise, she quickly thought about spending three more weeks with just her dad. They'd never had a vacation alone before and Erin knew she'd have a great time with him. He is always so much more relaxed when Mom's not around.

"We're halfway there, Hawk. G.o.d, the ride down to you seemed so much longer. Time is just flying!"

"This is so awesome! Woohoo!" she screamed out the car window. Jackson laughed at her antics. Settling back against the seat, Erin put her arm out the window and let the wind take her hand up and down, depending on the angle she held it. With Jackson by her side driving to their favorite place, this was by far one of the best days of her life and she was going to enjoy every minute of it.

1990 - Paldeer, Illinois Katie Hawkins pulled her car up the drive and hit the b.u.t.ton on her garage door opener. The door opened and she drove the car inside. Hitting her trunk opener, she slowly exited the vehicle and walked around to the back of the car. She pulled out a couple of bags of groceries and carried them to the back door of her home. Opening the door, she walked into the kitchen and put the bags down on the counter.

"Erin!" she shouted. "I'm back! Give me a hand with the rest of the bags, will you?" Emptying a bag, she realized Erin had not answered her. She shouted again, "Erin! Come up here and help me!"

She walked to the edge of the stairs. "Erin? Are you home?" Sighing indignantly, she descended the stairs and looked into Erin's empty room. Her bed was made, her sleep clothes were on the floor, but nothing else seemed amiss. "Erin?" She looked in the bathroom, but no one was there.

Where the h.e.l.l has she gone now?

Angry, Katie made her way up the stairs and went outside to retrieve the rest of her groceries. She began her meticulous task of putting away the groceries. Martha Stewart had nothing on Katie Hawkins when it came to order. Every shelf had a label, shelf paper, and cans facing forward. Once all the groceries were put away, she grabbed all the plastic bags and wadded them up to recycle later. She opened the door to the pantry to put the bags away and noticed the garbage can was empty without a new bag inside of it. Realizing it was garbage day, she was happy that Erin had at least remembered to do that. Opening the cabinet under the sink, she grabbed a new trash liner and put it in the garbage can then closed the door.

Feeling a little hungry after leaving the house without lunch, Katie began to make herself an open-faced sandwich. She fluffed her lunchmeat just so, added a dollop of mustard, put it on a plate, and poured a gla.s.s of water. She sat down at the kitchen table. Noticing a piece of paper with Erin's handwriting on it, she picked it up and began to read as she took a drink of water. Water flew out of her mouth and she began to cough.

Dear Mom, Don't be mad! Jackson came down from Wisconsin and paid me a visit. We had a bit of a misunderstanding, which is the truth of why I left there in the first place. We talked and made up and she offered to take me back up to the resort to spend the rest of the time with Dad. I figured since you were already leaving there without me, this wouldn't be too big of a deal.

I'm sorry we won't have any "our time" but I'll make it up to you when we get back. I'll give you a call when I arrive so you don't worry too much.

Love, Erin Katie slapped the kitchen table so hard and thoughtlessly that she hit the side of the plate with her hand and her sandwich flew into her lap. She screamed in uncontrolled anger as she grabbed a towel from the kitchen sink to wipe up the mess she'd made.

"d.a.m.n you, Jackson Thomas! d.a.m.n you straight to h.e.l.l!"

Running to her address book, she flipped the pages until she got to the tab with "N" and found the number for NorthwoodsIslandCity resort. She picked up her receiver and dialed.

"h.e.l.lo, NorthwoodsIslandCity, how can I help you?" Jackie answered.

"Miss Thomas, this is Katie Hawkins."

Jackie swallowed hard, knowing this was about Jackson and her jaunt to Illinois. "Yes, Katie?"

"Do you have any idea where Jackson is?"

"Well, she told me-"

"Let me answer that for you. Jackson is in the car right now with my daughter, heading back to Wisconsin!"

"Really? Well, at least they're all right."

"All right? How is two teenagers driving six hours in a car by themselves considered all right?"

"Katie, I think you're overreacting. Jackson is a responsible driver."

"There's that word again. Tell me, Jacqueline, do you always use the word responsible when your niece is caught doing something wrong? Or is it just when she's caught doing something to endanger my daughter?"

"Now, look here, Katie. That boating accident was not Jackson's fault. As you know, my niece saved Erin's life. I find that extremely responsible. As far as this impulsive drive to Illinois, well it was definitely not one of her better ideas, but that's for me to deal with when she gets back home."

Katie was pacing her kitchen. "Well, I suggest you put a leash on her if you expect her to listen to what she's told."

"That was uncalled for! Jackson has done nothing to warrant such hateful remarks from you."

"Your niece is unnatural and I don't want her anywhere near my daughter!"

Jackie became angry. "Excuse me?"

"Your sweet, responsible Jackson is unnatural and a queer. I can see it when she looks at Erin, touches her. Those are not natural thoughts from one girl to another!"

"So, what you are telling me is that not only are you overreacting about all of this, but you are a bigoted fool as well?"

"How dare you!" Katie screamed.

"How dare I? You're the one accusing my niece of...of G.o.d knows what, when all she's done to Erin is be a friend to her since they've met. I think you are the one who is a little unnatural if that's the only aspect of their friendship you have been focusing on. Tell me, Katie, how much time, really, do you spend on how Jackson touches Erin? Doesn't that sound a little unnatural to you?"

"You're no better than she is-a charmer spewing poison, like a viper. Snakes, that's what you all are."

Jackie couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous woman. "You know what, Katie? You're right; we are snakes. But you know what? We really like to eat rats so you'd better be careful, because you'll be what's next on the menu." Jackie abruptly disconnected the call.

Katie hung up and threw the telephone, screaming out her rage.

1990 NorthwoodsIslandCity Jackie paced endlessly, trying to get rid of the residual anger she felt toward Katie Hawkins.

Sandra watched her walk around the house for a short while before feeling a little dizzy. "Jackie, calm down. You know that woman isn't balanced."

"I know, but d.a.m.n, I wanted to reach through that phone line and strangle her! She's got a lot of nerve, that one." She mumbled a few choice words.

Sandra was a little uncomfortable with the topic since she knew her family felt the same about gays. "I'm sorry to say that my mom isn't really much better. You know she would freak out about us if she knew."

Jackie stopped and stared at her. "So, what exactly does she think of our friendship?" I can't believe you haven't told her, yet.

Uh-oh, bad timing, Sandra. You know this is a sore subject. "She knows we're really close friends," she said evasively.

"What does she think of us living together?" Jackie's ire was starting to turn toward Sandra.

Head suddenly falling in shame, Sandra answered, "She thinks I'm helping you with the resort this summer."

"Are you serious?" Jackie asked, disbelieving the words being spoken. "So, she still has no idea about us?"

"No, she doesn't. Honey, she would make it so hard for us. I don't want to tell her."

"Are you ashamed of who you are?"

Jackie's stare was intense and making Sandra thoroughly uncomfortable. "No, I'm not. I just don't want to hurt her and this would hurt her." She paused. "Jackie, you know she's from an older generation and wouldn't understand."

"I don't understand how you can let this not bother you. You are supposed to be my partner, my lover. I mean, do you have any idea how this makes me feel?"

"Jackie, I'm sorry. Believe me, I am bothered by this. I hate that I can't muster up the courage to tell her about us. Don't make this so hard for me. I don't want to have to choose between you and my mom."

Jackie's anger turned to disappointment in Sandra. Her last statement said far too much about their future. "I can't believe you just said that. It should not have to be a choice! You either love me for keeps or you don't. I'm too old to play games, Sandra." She took deep breaths to keep the tears at bay.

Jackie looked out the window and saw Jackson and Erin getting out of Jackson's Honda. "We'll talk more about this later. Jackson just got back and we are going to have a nice long talk."

"Okay. I'm gonna make myself scarce for a while." She walked up to Jackie, lightly kissing her cheek. "I'll give you some time alone."

Jackie gave her a wan smile and nodded. "Thanks."

Jackson and Erin walked up the path to the main house with big smiles on their faces. When the house was in sight, Jackie came out of the door with her arms crossed. Uh-oh. Good feeling's gone.

"Jackson Emma Thomas, you get your a.s.s in this house immediately."

"I'll see you later, Erin." Jackson gave her an apologetic look, which was returned.

"I'm gonna go look for my dad."

"'Kay, see you later," Jackson said.

"Jackson!" Jackie shouted.

"Maybe," Jackson added with a whisper and large round eyes.

Erin hustled away in search of her dad to tell him she was back.

When Jackson reached her, Jackie grabbed an earlobe and dragged her into the house. "Ow! Jackie, come on, you haven't done that to me since I was nine!"

"Well, you behaved like a child last night. What the h.e.l.l were you thinking? Driving to Illinois in the middle of the night. Did you even think once, what would happen to you if something went wrong with your car? What would have happened if you ran out of gas or had a flat tire? Just who do you think would help a young girl on the side of the road in the middle of the night? Some knight in shining armor or some sicko with teenaged girls on his mind?"

"Jackie..."

"No! You put yourself in extreme danger with this stunt, Jackson, and I'm very disappointed in you."

Those words cut deeply. Jackson absolutely hated disappointing her aunt. "I'm sorry, Jackie."

"Yeah, me too." She held out her hand. "You know this drill all too well these days. Give me your keys."

"Wha...? Aw, come on, Jackie, nothing happened!"

"Keys!"

Shaking her head in disbelief, she handed over the keys to her car.

"You'll get these back after I think of something else to do to you. You have no idea what you've done, do you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I got a nasty phone call from Erin's mother." Jackson's eyes went wide. "Yeah, it was not pretty. Seems as though she thinks you are an unnatural snake with eyes for her daughter."

"You've got to be kidding me!" Jackson couldn't believe Katie Hawkins had the nerve to call her aunt. On second thought, who are we talking about here? "Erin knew she'd be mad, but G.o.d, I can't believe she called you."

"Why wouldn't she call me? You're my responsibility, Jack. Erin got in the car with you and you two drove four hundred miles to Wisconsin, all by yourselves! Why does this surprise you at all?"

"I dunno." Jackson sat heavily on the couch. After several long minutes of silence, Jackson whispered, "I had to go."

Slowly calming down, Jackie sat next to her niece and tried to understand what had happened that made her niece jump in the car in the middle of the night. "Tell me why."