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wrapped the towel tighter around me and curled up in the chair. I felt cold, lost, and so alone.
    I thought of Judy and softly cried myself to sleep.
     
     
    “Sarah, get up,” he said, shaking me. “Why are you sleeping in the chair?” The tone of his voice scared me, and I looked up into his frowning face.
    “You were sleeping, Daddy. I didn’t want to wake you…I didn’t have my nightgown…my clothes were wet…I didn’t know what to wear.” I faltered over the words, and then watched for any sign that he wasn’t mad. 
    “Well, next time you wake me up and come to bed and get under the covers with me.” 
    His eyes glistened when he said under the covers, and a broad smile came to his face when he said with me . I didn’t understand the big smile, but it told me he wasn’t mad, and that was good enough for me!
    “Next time you climb in bed, okay?”
    “Okay, Daddy. I washed my clothes in the tub like before. Was that okay?”
    “I hope they’re dry, Sarah. If not, you’ll just have to wear ‘em wet. Hurry up and get dressed. We need to get on the road before daylight.”
    Jumping up, I ran into the bathroom and found my clothes still wet. I knew I should’ve asked if we’d stay long enough for them to dry, so it was my own fault I had to wear them wet. 
    When I came out of the bathroom Daddy stood at the door waiting. I followed him to the car, jumped inside, and wrapped up in my blanket. I didn’t want to complain, and I was glad he didn’t say I told you so when he looked back at me shivering and teeth chattering. Once I started to feel the warmth from the heater, my shaking subsided, and my stomach growled.
    “Can we stop and get breakfast, Daddy?” 
    “In a while, Sarah. I want to get further down the road. You go to sleep, and I’ll wake you when we get to the next town.”
    Oh no! Not that trick again ! I couldn’t do anything about being wet and cold, but I wouldn’t let him starve me! So, back to playing his game, I lay down, determined to stay awake until I had food in my stomach. I fought sleep as long as I could, but finally I lost the battle, and dreamed of Judy, and Mama, and Daddy when we were together as a family. 
    I awoke with the sun shining on my face, and my clothes were dry. I sat up just as he turned into the restaurant parking lot. I didn’t know how long I slept, but I sure was hungry.
    All the waitresses were old, so Daddy wasn’t interested in them. He whispered, “I can do better than these old hags. They all look like they’ve been rode hard and put away wet!”
    He laughed, so I laughed with him.
    Daddy had his usual bacon, eggs, toast, and coffee, but I was starving. I had a cheese omelet, pancakes, and a bowl of cereal. I ate it all, too! After eating, he told me to stay in the booth and when he got back, I could go to the bathroom while he paid the bill.
    We left, unnoticed. 
    Daddy wasn’t saying much, but now and then he’d look back and smile. Bored, I looked out the side window. There wasn’t much to see except a few cows or horses occasionally, but I didn’t have anything else to do.
    Then I saw the sign: Leaving Kansas . 
    I was listening to the country music on the radio when Daddy turned the volume down, and said, “Sarah, I have something to tell you. Sit up here and listen.” 
    I sat on the edge of the seat and waited for him to begin. 
    “At the diner I called home and I have some bad news. There was an accident and your mother died in a hotel fire. She’s dead, Sarah.” 
    I looked at him in numbed horror for several moments, and when I spoke, my voice was only a whisper. “Mama is…dead?” He nodded, and my eyes burned as tears started to swell up.
    “No, Daddy.” I shook my head back and forth, then yelled, “No!” And with each word my voice got louder and louder as I screamed, “It’s gotta be a mistake, Daddy! It’s gotta be! Mama can’t be…she can’t be…dead!” 
    “Yes, Sarah, she is. She burned in the