Shadow

Epilogue - The Watcher

Driving cross-country with two loud children in the backseat was not exactly the kind of romantic getaway Susan Anderson had been hoping for. It was her tenth wedding anniversary tomorrow and she hoped Bill would have surprised her with plane tickets to go to Paris, which they had visited on their honeymoon.

It had been an arduous journey from their home in Michigan all the way here to Nevada. They had passed many states including Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, and Wyoming. Her husband thought it would be fun to see and explore the U.S. for their anniversary when he came home from work two days prior. Susan knew her husband was never the romantic type but hoped it would be different this time around.

No chance of that.

Bill said it would be a good way to see the country and that the kids could learn some culture; an educational experience, as he had put it. Susan half-heartedly agreed to it; at least in a way, they were spending some time with each other, something they hadn't done in a while due to Bill's hectic working schedule.

As the station wagon headed north on Interstate 15, the evening sun was just about to set on the horizon. The final destination now was Las Vegas. The dazzling lights, the beauty of the night, and so many shows and entertainment that were suitable for families.

Bill told Susan earlier that he had booked the Mirage Hotel for them, but she had her own reservations given the fact the devastation that hit Vegas a few months ago. He reassured her that everything was fine now. In a way, she rejoiced inside; she thought that maybe they could have a romantic dinner overlooking the sight of Vegas, perhaps order some champagne, and then make love, which was something they hadn't done in a while, and Susan had some specific fantasies she wanted to eagerly fulfill in that area.

Carl did it for you, remember? her mother's judgmental voice spoke in her head. You loved every second of it.

Susan tried to put that thought away into a box and lock it, but it proved too strong to lock. She felt a tingling between her thighs and her heart started to race when she thought about him. Carl, a former colleague of hers, was one of those men who would take control of whoever he would take to his bed. It may have been one night, but it was a night Susan could never forget. She felt such regret for getting so drunk and letting things escalate to that level and knew it would hurt Bill deeply if he found out.

'Nice, isn't it?' Bill asked his wife, interrupting her thoughts.

She looked at him through her sunglasses. 'What is?'

'The view.'

'What view? It's just a highway with sand and plants and stuff.'

'Don't forget the mountains.'

'You love all this, don't you?'

'It's culture.'

'Culture?' Susan took off her sunglasses. 'What culture could you possibly learn from some sand and a bunch of mountains?'

Bill sighed. 'I know you're upset with me, honey, but I promise our anniversary will be great. I promise.'

She knew he was trying his best to make her happy and she loved that about him, but if she didn't see another mountain or a cornfield or a desert for the rest of her life, she would die a happy woman. She had no idea how boring her country was.

'Boom-boom-boom!' their audacious four-year-old son cried out, tapping his toy car against the rear window.

'Luke, stop that!' Bill snapped. 'You'll damage the window.'

Susan looked over her shoulder at Luke. He responded with his tongue out, something she had figured he had learned from his older brother.