It was not long after we took our seats that the lights dimmed and went it out. Light streams of all colors began to light up the crowd and the ring. The be-dazzled ringleader walked out and took center stage. His deep voice booming across the area telling us what was to come. As we sat there, I felt lucky. I knew it was a wonderful memory I could hang on to once we returned home. In that moment, I took a deep breath and was at peace. I knew nothing could touch me. I was safe far away from Jack.
Dallas, Devon and I watched as clowns, jokers, jugglers and acrobats performed amazing stunts before our eyes. After the show, we headed over to the clown store beside the ring. Grandma Lois had bought my clowns from the very store we were about to go into. She always said that this store was full of hundreds of hand painted clowns. Some of them even as big as people. As we entered the store, I was in ah of what I saw before me. Wall to wall clowns. All Shapes, all sizes and all colors imaginable. By the entrance was a red and gold giant sized clown that was sitting in a rocking chair. It was a beautiful site. All of them hand made.
After we were done clown and souvenir shopping, we headed over to the Buffet for dinner. It was at located at the other end of the casino. Therefore, we children had another chance to see the main floor. We were not old enough to be on the casino main floor but we were able to walk through the casino with an adult. To us kids that was like being able to look behind the curtain. All three of us excited every time we walked across the gambling areas with Grandma or my Mother. After we all enjoyed our dinner we walked around the strip looking at some of the different casinos. Grandma telling us stories of her adventures in each of them on previous trips as we pass by.
By the time we landed back into our hotel room, I was exhausted. My feet and mind hurt from the long adventure we had been on throughout the day. Therefore, I decided to go soak in the bath for a bit before bed. As I was on my way to the tub, my Mother stopped me and handed me the phone. As she did, she said ‘Jack wants to talk to you’. I gently pushed the phone back towards her, said I could not and continued walking towards the bathroom door. There was no way I was going to let him invade my vacation. It was my time. I began to feel angry at his intrusion. I guess for a bit I let myself forget about home, about him, about what he had done.
After my bath, I tried to settle in and sleep but I kept tossing and turning. Dallas and Devon were tossing and turning as well. However, for different reasons. They were excited that we were leaving in the morning for Disney Land. I should have been too. Unfortunately, my mind was stuck back at home. Even though Jack was 1000’s of miles away the fear of him was right there with me. I could not shake no matter how hard I tried. Eventually I drifted of to sleep but before I knew it morning had arrived.
We quickly packed up our suitcases, grabbed breakfast to go and hit the road for Anaheim, California. Disney Land was our next stop on our trip. I could not help but start to get excited as we turned onto the highway. It was the one place I always wanted to go and soon I would be there. Dallas resumed her usual position beside in the upper bunk of the camper. I was still tired from the night before so I decided to get some sleep while we were traveling. We had about five hours to go before we would hit our destination and we were not going to the theme park until tomorrow so I knew I had time to rest.
I must have fell into a deep sleep because as we entered the city of Anaheim, Dallas had to 
shake me a great deal to get me to wake up. I had slept the entire way. Five and a half hours. I felt good as I opened my eyes. As I rolled over onto my stomach to look out the window Dallas through open the curtains to show me all the traffic. We were in a traffic jam on one of the freeways of the city. There must have been hundreds of cars in both directions. At least twelve to fourteen lanes across. Bumper to bumper. As I looked out the window, the only word that came to mind was WOW! I had never seen anything like it before.
Brave Enough by Dawn Marie 
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