Maybe?
by Christine Leigh
     
Summary: Why is she afraid?  Written for The Haven's 500 Word
"Back to the Future" Challenge - either a pre-XF or a post-XF
moment in the life of one of the main characters.  
Rating: G
Category: V
Spoilers: "Existence."
Disclaimer: All characters are the products of Chris Carter. They
also belong to Ten-Thirteen Productions and the Fox Network. No
copyright infringement intended. 
Archiving: If you would like to archive anywhere, I'd  appreciate a
quick note first. 
Email: Feedback is always welcome, leighchristine@hotmail.com

     
"Bill Jr., that's enough.  Please leave your sisters alone."

Maggie was tired and hot, and they still had two hours to go.  She
and the children were on their way to spend a week with her
husband's parents, and the humidity and heat were about to finish
her.  The girls had been well behaved, but her son was starting to
get restless.  She was thinking of the lovely, cool airport back in
Atlanta.
  
"Mom, I'm hungry."

They were going to have to stop for lunch, but Maggie would have
done anything to just get to their destination.  Bill would be flying
in on Saturday, so there was light at the end of this tunnel, but that
was two days away, which at the moment, might as well be two
years. 

"Guys, we're about ten minutes away from the next town.  What
sounds good?  McDonald's?"  

"Yes."  This from Bill and Melissa.

"Dana, are you hungry?"  Her youngest daughter had been very
quiet, which wasn't all that unusual, but this was different.  She had
been staring out the window for the last half-hour.   

"Can I have a milkshake?"  Maggie smiled.  Dana loved
milkshakes.  Her four-year old appetite rarely was able to finish
one, but she always wanted her own.  There was no splitting one
with Melissa.  

"Of course you may.  Dana, are you feeling okay?  My little girl's
been pretty quiet."

"I'm fine."  This got a snicker from Bill.  His youngest sister
cracked him up. She could be so serious, and he wasn't always sure
what to make of her.  Not like Melissa, who he got along with
pretty well, except for when she was having none of him, like now
when Chatty Cathy was her preferred companion.

"Okay, here we are."  Maggie said this as she pulled off the
highway and onto the road that would take them into Democrat
Hot Springs.  She was surprised that there wasn't more traffic. 
This town, if she remembered right, was supposed to be some sort
of a resort area.  Five more minutes, and they were in the parking
lot looking up at the familiar sight of the neon arches, and that's all
that mattered.  Bill and Melissa were out of the car in a jiffy, but
Dana remained sitting next to her window.  Maggie turned around.

"Honey, are you sure you're okay?  I know it's been a long day, and
you've been a very good girl."

"Mommy, I'm 'fraid."

"Afraid?  Of what?"

"I don't know."

"Did Bill tell you a scary story again?"  Maggie hadn't heard her
son do this, but maybe she'd missed something.  Scary stories were
off limits for Dana.

"No."

"Honey, there's nothing to be afraid of here. You'll have your
milkshake, and we'll be back on the road to grandma and grandpa's
in no time at all.  Why don't you scoot over and get out?  I think I'll
have a milkshake, too.  I want strawberry.  How about you?"

"Chocolate."  Maybe her mom was right.  Maybe there was nothing
to be afraid of here.  Maybe.  

She got out of the car.


- end  -