CHAPTER ONE A Stroke of Luck Where are we she asked sleepily Somewhere named Granville Isn’t it nice Roger Houston checked his mirror turned on his blinker and brought the car to a stop on the side of the road His wife beside him yawned and stretched he replied I think I may fall asleep at the wheel if I don’t get out for awhile and stretch my legs We better wake up the children The Houston family was returning from their annual Easter trip and had been driving since early that morning Mr Houston felt his eyes ache with the strain of driving for so long and felt the need for 9
Don’t forget your jacket Victoria It’s colder some refreshment Granville thought Mr Houston looks like the perfect place to stop and have lunch The children roused from sleep by their mother were rubbing their eyes stretching wearily and getting ready to get out of the car than you think said Mrs Houston You too Darren where’s your jacket Mrs Houston busied herself getting the children ready while her husband leaned against the outside of the car enjoying the fresh air Nice place This really is picturesque he said to no one in particular I can’t believe we’ve never noticed it before His thoughts were interrupted by his family spilling noisily out onto the pavement Darren’s hair as it typically did stuck up in all different directions while he could see his practically-a teenager daughter check her reflection in the car’s side mirror 10
Dad Mom can we go to the toy store Can Listen young man he told his six year old son and smooth down her hair before making sure her metallic blue nail polish wasn’t chipped we please please Darren bounced up and down looking eagerly from one parent to the other as he waited for his parents to answer Mr Houston shook his head sternly we have enough new toys packed in the trunk of the car without buying anymore I’m surprised the car was able to move at all with all that weight in the back Darren looked momentarily crestfallen then brightening took his dad’s hand and asked Can I buy some candy then Dad can I please I have five dollars left in my pocket please Grabbing his son’s small sticky hand what has that child been eating now he thought to himself Mr Houston turned left onto a small side street before muttering absentmindedly Depends on 11
