Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

Natalie D. was not beautiful, but that didn’t deter her paternal cousin, Susan W., from inviting her on a Gone with the Wind road trip to Atlanta.  Their adventure began when Susan, driving her black BMW convertible, collected Natalie from Dulles International Airport, and the duo headed south.  Natalie’s sister suggested the two call themselves “Thelma and Louise,” but the idea was rejected. 

Susan had planned the trip, created the itinerary and sought Natalie’s approval before finalizing the arrangements.  She booked the hotel and bought tickets for tours, a musical and such.  Natalie was grateful for Susan’s expertise and initiative. 

The goal for the first night was to make it to the Wake Forest, North Carolina home of Natalie’s maternal cousin’s (Mark M.) family.  They arrived late in the evening after filling their stomachs with some Chick-Fil-A (a “restaurant” born in the south) food, and were greeted by the sleepy M. family.  They were given their choice of bedrooms; Susan’s was in the basement and Natalie’s was two floors up.  Natalie had warned Susan that they might awaken the next morning having had Sharpie mustaches drawn on their faces.  They avoided this “special” treatment probably because cousin Mark had to prepare for an Ironman triathlon and his energies were devoted to that.  (It was still April, and Mark’s favorite holiday is April Fools’ Day.  He is well known for his pranks.)