Driving down the highway, Reese made up silly songs while Marianna concentrated on the road. The highway had quickly become a mad rush as Marianna left her mountain home and entered Washington State. She wasn't sure where she was going, but something was pulling her east. As always she followed her feelings.

"Momma, when will adventure start?" Reese asked as he looked up at his mother from his seat.

"It already has. See this road," she said the pointed out the window. Reese leaned forward to see what she was pointing to. "It leads someplace different, a place we have never seen before. Would you like to see it?"

"Go, Momma, we see," Reese said, clapping his hands.

Marianna turned off the exit, letting him believe that he was leading the way. She didn't know who it was that was in charge. All she knew for sure was that it wasn't her.

Daylight had come and gone. Entering Seattle brought in the darkness of the night. Reese long ago fell asleep in the back seat, covered only with a thin blanket. Marianna consulted her maps, looking for the closest motel. After turning off the highway, she crossed one.

The Blue Star Motel was cheap and seedy, but she didn't want to take the chance of Reese getting sick. She pulled into the driveway at half past midnight and woke her sleeping son.

"Wake up, honey," she said nudging him a little. "We're here."

She picked up her small son who had fallen back asleep in her arms. She carried him into the motel and found an obese woman with muffled hair sitting behind the front desk reading a romance novel.

"Excuse me," Marianna said, but the woman didn't look up. "Excuse me," she said louder.

"Yeah," the woman said, putting down her book and lighting a cigarette.

"I'd like a room, please," Marianna said as he shifted Reese in her arms so he could set her purse down on the counter.

"Seventy-five a night," the woman said and blow a mouthful of smoke out of her mouth.

"Sure," Marianna said, digging into her purse, while still holding on to Reese. "Here," She handed her a crinkled hundred dollar bill.

"I suppose you want change," the woman said, looking annoyed.

"Yes, and my room key," Marianna said, equaling annoyed by her attitude. "My son and I have been driving since early yesterday morning. He's tired and needs to be in bed."

"Sure lady, here ya go," the woman said and tossed her the key. "Room twelve, and here's your change."

Marianna took it without any farther words, picked up her purse and walked down to her room. If she had stayed there one more second she may have lost her temper. Bad things happened when she lost control, and now wasn't the time for a confrontation. Finally she reached she room and walked in. She found that it was a little lived in, but it would due for one night.

She placed her son on one of the twin beds and walked into the bathroom. "Seventy-five dollars a night, my ass," she whispered, seeing the soupy yellow liquid lying in the toilet. Disgusted, she decided not to use it. Instead, she went to check on her son. Reese was fast asleep but had again kicked the covers off. She covered him once again and crawled into bed herself. She turned off the light and laid there in the dark unable to sleep.