If Only

Chapter Thirty-Three: Unexpected Guests

Santa Monica. A place I hadn't set foot in for so long. If Lizzy hadn't been persistent enough and my mom hadn't pushed me to take a break from my own reality, I wouldn't have come here. My father's voice lingered in the back of my mind as I took my first step outside the arrivals area, and a gust of wind brushed against our faces.

It took me about a minute to realize that this was nothing like Washington, where the weather was cooler and people were less tanned.

Lizzy followed behind me, struggling to manage all her suitcases with both hands. This was precisely why I preferred traveling light – it would save me the struggle.

A man in a bohemian-styled shirt waved his hat at us. He appeared to have been sipping from his glass before he jogged over to us. If I hadn't looked closely, I might not have recognized him at all.

"Jade!" He yelled as he approached.

Uncle Tom.

The squint I had earlier due to the heat transformed into a broad grin, and I mimicked his gesture, opening my arms. As he reached me, he enveloped me in a warm hug, warmer than the California weather.

"Oh, it's been so long," he whispered in my hair and held me at arm's length to observe my features.

"Look at you. You're taller than Lizzy now," he added, his face slightly flushed from the sun. I started to wonder how long he had been out in that heat.

"I missed you too, Dad," Lizzy mumbled from behind me as she finally gave up carrying her things, letting them drop to the ground.

Her father playfully winked at me and jogged over to his daughter, whom he hadn't seen in quite some time. The way Uncle Tom wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace stirred a twinge of envy in my chest.

Why couldn't my father be like that?

I didn't realize I had been staring for too long.

"So, how was the flight?" he asked as soon as he released his daughter.

"Can I say I'm experiencing jet lag right now?" Lizzy joked, and I snorted in response.

"On a flight from Washington?" I retorted and earned a light tap on the head.

"Jet lag or not, both of you need some good rest," Uncle Tom replied.

I was surprised by Lizzy's response to her dad. She squirmed and hugged him even tighter. Well, I couldn't blame her. There was nothing better than a good rest after a long flight.

"So, where's our first stop?" Uncle Tom announced, and I started to get confused. All I thought was that we were going directly to their place to crash for a good sleep.

"What stop? I thought we were going to rest?" I asked, curious. Lizzy only snorted in response.

"Yep, we will. But first, we're going to hang out with some of my friends."

I was still confused.

"Hello, Jade. Did you really think I'd let you get here and just sleep in my room? Nuh-uh, you're going out."

I could only smile at my cousin. She began walking toward a black Range Rover parked at the side of the road, and I followed.

Well, it seemed I didn't have much of a choice. I had to enjoy this small break I had rewarded myself.

*****

The drive felt like it took forever, but I didn't mind it. It had been so long since I had this kind of freedom, if I had ever really had it. I struggled to keep my eyes open throughout the whole ride.