"I don't understand what you're talking about". As she paced the room, Mattie glimpsed at her reflection in the armoire's mirror and later recalled thinking that her expression would have accurately communicated her shock had there been an observer in the room. Her father was likely passed out in the study, leaving her alone with the talking heads of Dateline, muted by remote to take her sister's call. Beth's words were not computing in her research scientist's brain.

"You won the sweepstakes, honey!! Well, technically I won. But I entered in your name, so as far as Women's Lives is concerned Mattie McCarthy is the lucky winner."

"Beth, I need you to start from the top. You're just not making any sense " Her reflection was shaking it's head in irritation as she hit the remote's off button.. Apparently this was going to take some time.

"I know I must be babbling, but I am so excited for you. Don't you see that this could change your whole life?'

Mattie's big sister buttons throbbed at this remark. "I'm sure that you would love to tell me exactly what is wrong with my life" she replied sarcastically, knowing that any confrontation would cause no blip on their radar. The McCarthy sisters had survived the thick and the thin many times and their relationship was impervious to any challenge.

"OK " said Beth and she took a deep breath. "From the top. About four months ago, not long after you and Boring Bob broke up..."

"Let's not go there, big sister."

"I'm sorry, but you know I'm right about him. Anyway, I was thumbing through a magazine while I was at the dentist's and I came across a sweepstakes entry in Women's World, so on a whim I sent it in under your name. You know how I love my sweepstakes. Remember how I won that weekend up north two years ago? It was our last family vacation before Erik morphed into a teenager."

"You know, Beth, if you'd stop being his Mom for just a moment you might see what a terrific kid he is. He's actually right on track with the teenage thing. After all he is four teen � Mattie chided, placing the emphasis on the last syllable. "So you're telling me that I, or more accurately you, have won a sweepstakes that is going to, and I quote you, change my life. Where to this time, Fargo in February?

"No Ms. sarcastic, to LA. Perhaps you've heard about it? Palm trees, the ocean, no wind chill factor on the evening weather report..."

"Hmmm, now you've got my attention." Mattie made her way to the sanctuary of the windowseat, wrapping a heavy afghan about her as she looked out at the snowfall which obscured the fullness of her view . For a moment she dreaded tomorrow's commute. Of course not all the world was being victimized by the brutaliity of Minnesota's midwinter, but there were moments every year when it seemed that spring would never truly come. Just snow, snow and more snow. "I really can't see how a trip to California can change my life. And that's if I could even get away in the first place. Martin's project will revolutionize modern medicine and we're under a lot of pressure right now."

"Yeah, well just like Bill always says �no one is indispensible'." Carol's bitter tone was well deserved after her husband was downsized five years ago and she was forcing him to join his father's business. Anyway, sunny California is just the tip of the iceberg. This sweepstakes is huge. The trip to LA, all expenses. You'll stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel, have a complete makeover--hair, makeup, clothes, the whole works. AND you'll be a guest of honor for the opening of Victoria Stanford's latest movie, or Film as she likes to point out. But you have to admit each one seems to top--".

"Whoa, whoa, whoa Beth . A makeover? Why would I want a makeover and what make's you think I'd have any interest in going to some kind of movie opening anyway". Mattie had thrown the afghan aside and began to pace around the room, her gestures emphasizing her words. "This time, Beth, you've gone a little too far. In case you haven't noticed , this life you're always so tempted to change fits me just fine." Her defiant words convinced her, for the moment, that they were true.