Family is Forever (Sequel to Running on Insulin)

Chapter 48

We made plans for Spring Break and the closer the trip got the more excited and nervous Samantha got. 

Jenna took her shopping for bathing suits and shorts and t-shirts and before we knew it, it was the week before the break. 

As time had gone on since the New Year, Samantha was becoming a completely different person.  We had taken her, in February, to the cemetery where Stanley was buried.  It was the final proof she needed that he was truly gone. 

After that, she seemed to have so much  more confidence. She didn't seem to look over her shoulder all the time, the nightmares seemed to stop almost immediately and there were times when she would come downstairs in the morning practically singing.

It was a complete  180. And was nice to see.  Samantha would take her insulin without worry. She was taking fantastic care of herself and her diabetes. Even her doctor was impressed when we went to see him at the end of February. 

Of her own volition, she had written a letter to Gillingham. She showed it to us before sending it to the prison.  We told her how proud we were of her.

The letter read:

Dear Mr. Gillingham:

You're right. You were the last person I expected to get a letter from. 

I thought a lot about what to do with your letter when it came. I finally had Mom and Dad read it to me. 

I didn't know what to expect from your letter, but I guess thank you for saving my life is probably the first thing I should say. I don't know if I forgive you for your role in what Stanley did, yet. But I do know that I don't hate you. 

I don't know if I'll ever want to meet you face-to-face, but I feel like I should at least acknowledge your letter and let you know that I don't hate you. 

I know how manipulative Stanley could be, which is part of why I can't hate you. 

For now, all I can do is say thank you for the one, most important thing, you did. Saving my life and ending Stanley's. 

Samantha Joseph.

It was short, and got to the point, but Samantha got across what she needed to and left it that if he wrote again, she wouldn't necessarily hate it. 

The day we left for Los Angeles, Samantha was a bundle of nerves. We could hardly keep her still the whole way to the airport. 

We checked in and checked our luggage, heading to the lounge where we'd wait for the flight. There was a little paparazzi there that took our photos as we travelled through the airport. It wasn't too intrusive, but it shook Samantha a little bit. 

"Why are there so many people taking pictures of us?" she asked as we sat down in the lounge. 

"Paparazzi," I said. "They take photos to sell to magazines like People and some of those teen magazines and such. And around vacation times, they'll stake out airports where they know celebrities might be travelling.  LA might be busier with them, just to warn you."

"Why?"

"Because people like to know what their favorite celebrities are up to."

"So why are they taking pictures of you?" she asked, a sly smile on her face. 

"You know something, Samantha," I said to her. "You're a bit of a brat."

She smiled and then laughed. 

Our flight was called and we got on and got settled in our seats.  Samantha started getting more and more fidgety. 

"It's going to be fine. I promise," I whispered to her. 

"Can you, like, knock me out or something?" she asked. 

"Funny. No." 

Jenna held Samantha's hand and Samantha's other hand was gripping our shared armrest as the plane pulled away from the gate and taxied to the runway.

As the plane taxied and got faster Samantha's eyes went wide and her grip on the armrest tightened. 

"Samantha," Jenna said. "You're breaking my hand."

"Sorry," she said, loosening her grip. 

Jenna took her hand away and flexed it, smiling at Samantha. 

As the plane rose into the sky Samantha's eyes widened even more. 

"This feels wrong!" she whispered to me. I smiled. 

"It's totally normal. Weird feeling, right?"

She nodded, but didn't loosen her grip on the armrest. 

Once we reached cruising altitude, she relaxed a bit. 

"My ears feel weird," she said. "Like they're all filled with cotton. I can't hear anything."

"Do this," I said, plugging my nose and puffing out  my cheeks. "But try to blow out, without blowing out. 

She tried it. 

"Ow! My ears popped!"

"But do they feel less clogged?"

"Yeah. I guess so," she said. 

Partway through the flight, they brought our meals.  We'd ordered a diabetic meal for Sam, and she looked over it, tested, took her insulin and started in on her meal.  

"This is gross," she said to me. 

"It looks pretty good," I said. 

She looked over at me. 

"Yeah. It tastes pretty bad."

"Well, eat what you can, because a) you've taken insulin and you don't want to go low, and b) well, it's a meal?"

"I'll try, but, it's gross,"

"I promise, we'll go have something great for dinner tonight, okay?"

"Okay."

Samantha managed to eat most of her meal, but really did not enjoy it. 

The rest of the flight went smoothly.  We hit a  little turbulence as we crossed over the Grand Canyon, which scared Samantha just a bit. I assured her it was totally normal.

Finally, we were landing at LAX. I handed Samantha a piece of gum and told her to chew it as we descended. 

We disembarked and she walked happily off the plane, whistling an blowing bubbles. 

We gathered up our luggage and went out into the terminal.  There was paparazzi around, unsurprisingly. Zack was waiting for us as we came out the doors. 

"Hello there, Josephs!" he said, coming over to us and giving  us all hugs.  He saved  his biggest bear hug for Samantha. "You are a sight for sore eyes!"

"Hi Zack," she smiled at him. "Missed you."

"Missed you, too, kiddo! B and Sarah have been keeping me up to date with everything. When your parents haven't been," he smiled. "Come on. Car's waiting outside." 

We followed him outside and he took our luggage cart while telling Samantha to get into the back. She opened the door and her jaw dropped. She then flew into the car. 

"Uncle Brendon!" she cried as she launched herself into his arms.  I smiled at Jenna. It was one of the surprises we had planned for her this week. Brendon had insisted on coming to greet us at the airport. 

"Hey there, darlin'!" he said, hugging her back. "I am so happy to see you!"

"Me too!" Samantha replied. 

We headed out of the airport and on to Brendon and Sarah's house, where they'd insisted we stay.