Finding You

12: A New World

WILL:

I mindlessly flick through the number of films on the compact screen in front of me. Nothing stands out to me as remotely exciting, until I come across a tv show. Not a favourite but the one I and Sam watched on the plane ride to Scotland. We talked about it so much but when we went back home, we couldn't find anywhere to watch it so naturally forgot about it.

My finger hovers over the small poster, debating whether I should watch it or just sleep. Before I could think about it any longer, I select the sitcom and push in the headphones.

The tuneful, nostalgic theme song buzzes in my ears as I lean back. I look to the side of me, almost imagining that Sam would be sitting next to me, resting her head on my shoulder.

But there's just a little boy playing on a small tablet, sitting next to his sleeping mother.

My focus returns back to the show and I chuckle along with the characters.

Quite a few episodes later, an announcement from the pilot interrupts the show. The pilot alerts us that the plane would be landing in the next twenty minutes and people should return to their seats. I take a glance at the aisles and see a few people shuffling back into their seats. The mother and son beside me hastily scramble into their seats.

I shuffle in my seat and feel the envelope poking into my stomach, the moment with dad from this morning comes rushing back to me. In an attempt to extinguish my anxiety about the letter, I shoved it into my pocket and had completely forgotten about it.

Dad saw me earlier in the morning, packing my things. My silence when he questioned what I was doing connected the dots for him, he lectured me for a while but when I didn't let out a word he sighed and returned to his room. 

He came back, embraced me in a deep hug, so suddenly that I forgot to return it. He forces a brown envelope into my hand. 

"I hope that this is what you truly want"

I nod and he leaves the room, leaving me to continue to pack and deal with my conflicting thoughts. 

I pull the envelope out and begin the tear the top. Something rattles inside of it, and nearly falls underneath my seat but I swiftly catch it. 

A silver key sits in my palm, it has a small keyring attached to it. 

'Letterman Apartments'

A note sticks out of the torn envelope.

'I hope this gives you the peace and clarity you've been wanting, just know that I love you, son, don't forget what you have back here at home', it reads. 

It's almost unbelievable how supportive and understanding he became of my decision. 

Maybe he was just sick of the fighting, maybe he thought it was time for me to find everything out for myself. 

Opening the letter had taken my attention away from the show, I hadn't realised that it resumed just after the announcement. I wrap the key in the small piece of paper and push it into the front pocket of my backpack. I rewind the show and continue watching, soon enough my ears are popping from the landing, the wheels of the plane touch the floor and I'm slightly pulled back in my seat.

I glance out the window and see some clustered buildings in the distance. It's quite lush and green, I'll definitely put more of the parks on my agenda.

Another announcement from the pilot chimes in through the hidden speakers.

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen, welcome to O'Hare International Airport, Chicago. Local time is 10:25 am and the temperature is close to 70 Fahrenheit and 21 degrees celsius for those of you that are joining us from England. Welcome to the windy city!" She gleefully says before going on to give all the warnings and information on overhead bins and personal belongings.