title: The Perfect World Inside My Minivan -- One mom's journey through the streets of suburbia
author:  Marybeth Hicks 
description: Funny, heartwarming, smart...did I mention funny? --Jen Singer, founder, MommaSaid.net, author, "Fourteen hours till bedtime"<br /><br />Marybeth Hicks' column offers our readers common-sense wisdom in dealing with today's culture. Her anecdotes of her husband and four children tap into universal themes that every parent can relate to and appreciate. --Wesley Pruden, Editor-in-Chief, The Washington Times<br /><br />Hicks' observations about family life are dead-on accurate and downright funny. --Tim Bete, Director, Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop, author, "In the beginning...there were no diapers"
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  ## SUZANNE ENOCH
  
  
  ## DON’T LOOK DOWN
  
  
  ![](logo.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  For my mom, Joan,  
  
  
  who always knows  
  
  
  both when I need to water my plants  
  
  
  and when I can use a good home-cooked meal—  
  
  
  and who takes care of both for me  
  
  
  when I’m on deadline.  
  
  
  I love you, Mom.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  [One](9780061743443_chapter_01.html#ch01)
  
  
  Headlights blazing, a car slowed at the turn-off to the…
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Two](9780061743443_chapter_02.html#ch02)
  
  
  Richard Addison awoke before Samantha. He usually did. When most…
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Three](9780061743443_chapter_03.html#ch03)
  
  
  Samantha picked the lock of the small, nondescript house on…
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Four](9780061743443_chapter_04.html#ch04)
  
  
  Samantha, with Rick seated beside her, drove the Bentley Continental…
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Five](9780061743443_chapter_05.html#ch05)
  
  
  Richard propped his head in his hand, watching Samantha as…
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Six](9780061743443_chapter_06.html#ch06)
  
  
  Patricia Addison-Walli