A Christmas Journey

Chapter 6

The weather turned colder as the group traveled further north. Soon, they came into some clouds that began to yield snow.

"I hope the snow doesn't get too bad." Amy said.

"Me too." Sherri echoed.

Motioning to Amy, Michael reassured them, "We've been through worse."

For a few minutes, the snow was heavy enough to produce mid-size drifts, before slowing enough for Michael, Amy, and Sherri to relax and enjoy the scenery.

A portion of the Interstate was closed near Hamburg, so they were detoured through town. It was very picturesque, with children having snowball fights, adults finishing their Christmas shopping, and even a few snowmen scattered about. A little ways further, some men were shoveling their sidewalks.

"Nice town." Michael commented.

"Yeah." Sherri agreed. "Reminds me of some of the places back home."

She then began thinking about her family's home in South Carolina and the land around it. Her family loved walking outdoors in the woods behind their house. She remembered how her dad used to take her for walks and teach her some basic survival skills. Eventually, these walks became less frequent as she grew older, but she still remembered all that she had learned.

Sherri then thought of the walks she would take with her mother, talking about everything including school, her goals, and even any guys she liked or was dating at the time. Of course, they often would only walk a short distance and just sit on a log talking for much of the time.

She would even sometimes go back alone, perhaps to think or write in her diary—she kept a journal on the computer, but still preferred pen and paper for more personal thoughts. Once, a guy she had met at school who had asked her out to a dance stood her up. Sherri had gone out to the woods originally to cry, before her mom and dad each came out separately, unbeknownst to each other, to console her. Both had essentially the same message: "You're too good for him," "You'll fine someone better," and (in her father Ben's case), a semi-jokingly, "If he comes by again, I'll set him straight."

Sherri laughed at the thought, recalling how she then went back into the house and found out that, when the young man had discovered he had a chance to take the head cheerleader to the dance, he immediately asked her. However, another boy soon asked Sherri out and ended up taking her to the next dance as well. The pair ended up dating up until the events of the past few days, only breaking up when Sherri told him of the plans to move across the country. While it was a sad farewell, they promised to remain friends.

She even received her first kiss outside, just after her 15th birthday party, which involved some time outside. She and a boy had been talking during the party and, right before they walked inside, gave each other a quick peck and caught up with the others.

Suddenly, Sherri realized that her mind had been wandering for about an hour. "Where are we?" she asked her friends.

"We just passed Glenwood." Amy told her cheerfully. "We'll be at the hotel in about 40 minutes. You're pretty quiet back there. What's up?"

"I was just thinking about home: our house, and...some other stuff."

"Oh, okay." Amy replied understandingly. She glanced at Michael and they just talked to each other for the rest of the drive, leaving Sherri alone with her thoughts. Soon after, the trio arrived at the hotel in Omaha. After checking in, Michael and Amy went about their normal routine while Sherri , after settling in her room, called her dad.

"Hi, honey," came the answer.

"Hey dad."

"How's the trip going?