Events shape our lives. Most events fall in the middle of the spectrum between wonderful and terrible. Very few events fall at the ends; winning the multi-million dollar lottery is a wonderful thing, but at the other end are terrible things such as happened on September 11, 2001. Only very rarely do we encounter events that in the course of their occurrence run the gamut from one end of the spectrum to the other and back again.
To hold liberal political views is not uncommon, but it is uncomfortable when you live in a small community where Jerry Falwell is considered a liberal radical. That is the fate faced by Joni and Mike Jameson. Married for twenty-five years, they are both upper level executives with Boxer Corporation, and came to Crestville, because of a corporate decision to relocate the company headquarters. It is a small town nestled in the shadow of the Smokey Mountains, and from a corporate perspective was an excellent decision. From a personal perspective it was not a pleasant which is why they tried to spend as much time away as possible.
Mike saw Joni as an amazing person. She possessed all the attributes needed to survive in todayâs fast paced corporate life. At the same time she was a wonderful, loving wife, and a caring, attentive mother to their children; John (20), Millie and Mary (19), and Tammy (18). John and the older girls attend college in another state and Tammy just graduated from high school, but in the fall will start college at the same school John attends. On this particular weekend everyone was home to take advantage of a long holiday break.
Something else you should know about Mike and Joni, is despite their liberal political views they have a very conservative outlook toward sex. Four children does not mean they had a passionate and sexy personal life. All it means is they had intercourse at least three times. Actually, sex for them was very routine; twice a month on Saturday night, no lights, partially dressed, hump, hump, thank you, goodnight. Sad, but true, but even sadder is they were satisfied with their sexual relations. On the other hand, and unbeknownst to them, their children possessed much different perspectives.
With the kids home, Mike and Joni decided to take a drive into the mountains for a picnic at the nearby state park. It was a beautiful day with scenic views around every bend, but they werenât prepared for the detour caused by a major truck accident several miles ahead. Their choices were to turn around, or proceed on the back roads until they could rejoin the highway.
âMike, looking at the map it seems simple, and I donât want to go home yet.â said Joni. âThe State Police will have the route marked. We get around the wreck, get back on the road, and go on to the park.â
âDaddyâ Tammy yelled from the back seat of the Chevy Suburban, âYou made us come so lets go ahead and finish it.â âAlright. Joni, youâre the navigator; where you direct Iâll follow.â Mike gently pushed the accelerator, turned right at the intersection, and thus began an unforgettable adventure.
After several miles of left and right turns, and never once gaining sight of the highway they stopped. âDear, I donât have a clue where we are. I wish the onboard navigation system was working; it would show us the way in a heartbeat.â Unfortunately, the system was in need of a minor repair, and they were dependent on road maps. They were lost, but just ahead was a sign saying âPicnic Area One Mile.â That was the immediate goal; eat lunch and try to figure out their location.
Home preparation of the picnic was a family affair. As a result there was a large amount of very good food built around the main course of grilled steaks cooked on the portable barbeque. It was the smoke and aroma of the cooking meat that attracted Homer and Festus.
Homer and I could smell the food from a long way off, and it drew us like a magnet. We were hungry; escaped prisoners donât frequent stores, even if there were any in that remote area to frequent. That remoteness was one reason we were here, but now we were presented an opportunity to eat. We followed the smoke and aroma, and at last looked through the foliage to see this nice little family eating this sumptuous picnic lunch.
âHowdy folks. Smelled your steaks.â Festus said as we walked out of the woods. âWe havenât eaten in a while. Do you have any you could share?â
Mike began to say no, but then he noticed the nods between the two uninvited guests, and the pistols they drew from their waistbands. âWrong answer; not very neighborly of you at all. We know down deep you really want to share this wonderful meal with us poor downtrodden folks.â
John looked quickly at his Dad. On occasion, Mike had acted overly aggressive, but these men had guns, and John wanted to make sure the âOle Manâ didnât do anything stupid. What I saw one his face was a look of shock similar to that on the face of Mother, the girls, and probably me.
âYou folks go sit on the ground by the car.â Homer directed.
The family did as directed, but John watched the intruderâs eyes and head turn to follow the movement of girlâs asses. A mental alarm sounded in Johnâs mind; the men wanted some pussy, and he knew it. Unfortunately, there was no way to do anything about it right now.
âFestus, you see the asses on those girls? I sure would like some of that. How about you?
âLooks good, but to tell you honest Iâm more interested in the boy. You know how it is after a couple of years in jail. Besides, we canât do anything here.â âWhat about that cabin we saw earlier this morning?â They looked at each other, grinned like Cheshire cats, and nodded to signify their agreement to an unspoken plan.