Free A Family for Christmas by Mary Eason

“Would you like me to wake Sammy? He’s sleeping.”
    “No, I’ll carry him out. It’s best if he sleeps through as much of the trip as possible anyway.”
    Amanda wanted to say more. “You’re not going to try and drive straight through, are you?”
    “Yes, I don’t have a choice.”
    Her friend’s disapproval was easy to see. “ W hat about your mother and Michael? What about the doctor’s appointment? You had such hope s . What are you going to do about Sammy?”
    Rachel hated the thought that she was hurting her son by running away. “I don’t really have a choice. I’ll have to find another doctor. I’ll call Michael and let him know.”
    “You know he’ll come after you, don’t you? You can’t hide from him. And you don’t have the money to fight him if he decides to go for custody. Rachel, don’t do this. Stay. Stick it out. See what happens. Jack loved you once. He might surprise you now.”
    “I can’t. And you know that’s not true. Jack didn’t love me then and he doesn’t love me now. He only wants Sammy.”
    Rachel carried her sleeping son out to the car.
    “I’ll call you in a few days , ” she whispered, before starting the car and leaving Austin behind once again, like that night long ago.
    Of course, Amanda and Brad were probably right about everything, but she had to fight for her son and her own future, didn’t she? She might not be able to stand up to Jack’s money, but she couldn’t stay and go along with his crazy plan either. Or worse, hand over her innocent son.
    She drove through the familiar streets of her former hometown while checking the rearview mirror constantly.
    She traveled all night, relaxing only when she hit the interstate and headed north toward Ft Worth.
    Sammy woke sometime after midnight . He look ed around him, confused. “Momma, where are we?”
    “ It’s okay, baby. We’re going home. Go back to sleep now.”
    He was still half-asleep but he understood that they were leaving his family again.
    “Momma, I don’t want to go . ” He’d started crying. The sight of his tears was heartbreaking. She promised herself that she would make it up to him soon. Somehow, she’d find a way to make up for all the mistakes she’d made in her life and in Sammy’s.
    *****
    It was late the following morning when she stopped for gas and coffee and woke Sammy again.
    “Momma, where are we?”
    They’d crossed the New Mexico line some time ago. When she told him, she expected more tears.
    “Why did we have to leave Gran’s place?”
    Rachel sat down next to him in back seat of the car and tried to explain.
    “Honey, it’s complicated, and someday you’ll be old enough to understand, but not yet. For now, all that you need to know is that I was trying to do what was best for you and for me. We’ll be okay. We have each other. Gran and Michael and Aunt Molly will come see us soon.”
    “But I like Austin. I like Jason and his mom. I want to stay there.”
    “Baby, we can’t. I’m sorry, but we can’t. Someday you’ll understand why we can’t live in Austin. Come on, let’s get something to eat, okay?”
    She took his hand and walked inside the restaurant to order breakfast. Sammy’s unhappiness was a clear reminder of all of her mistakes that her son was being forced to deal with now.
    “I don’t want to go, Momma.” He pleaded again once they were back in the car.
    “Honey, I know you don’t, but we have to. Besides, Santa’s coming in just a few more days and you want to be there for that, don’t you? You don’t want to miss all those wonderful presents he’s going to bring you.”
    “You said Santa could find me wherever?”
    “Honey, just trust me, okay? This is what’s best for us.”
    Sammy refused to talk to her for almost the entire trip back to the farm. He sat silently looking out the window and barely acknowledging her attempts at conversation. Rachel finally gave up and decided it was time for her to consider the