ATTACHED

Chapter Fourteen : To New Beginnings...

                                   SIERRA:

Finallyyy

I finally get to go back to California. Ugh this week dragged on and on I had actually stopped counting down the days to when I get back to Cali. I miss Denver's annoying face and I miss my friends sooo much.

It's Saturday morning and I'm already on my way to JFK airport, being driven by my parents. In such moments they do not let the driver come along so dad is the one driving and mom is in the passenger seat and I'm in the back seat. I look out through the tinted windows of the black range rover and stare at the tall buildings almost everywhere just like there always have been since I was a kid. I agreed to forgive mom and dad for literally leaving me behind in the battlefield like I didn't matter on one condition. It was that I shall not step foot in New York ever again unless, I repeat unless all their gang crap is  over and in the past. Maybe then I can come back here. Mom and dad were devastated but their guilt and shame made them accept. They respected my decision and mom tried to overcome her guilt by babying me. She has literally not let me do anything due to the wound  on my arm. She nearly showered me. I guess the guilt was really eating her up and whenever I winced due to small pain there, she would twist her face in sadness. That's what you get when you leave your daughter behind to save your lovely lives. Although I'm better now. I only have a bandage wrapped around my arm but most of it is healed. In thirty minutes, we reach the airport and the May air is hitting our faces and I welcome it. I am worried about the exams we have next week because I haven't studied anything at all. I'll just study with the group. After clearing everything from the passport, ticket and everything, I am given the slip with my seat number, of course in the first class with those boring suspicious men and women. I guess they are better than sitting next to parents with crying babies. That's the absolute worst situation. We walk towards the departure gate and stop to say our goodbyes. Mom speaks first as usual.

"Honey, I'm so ashamed of how many times I have to apologise to you about...everything including Thursday night. I'm glad you're going to a place where you will be happy and free and well...normal. I wish you the very best in your first exams too. Make me proud baby. I love you," and she hugs me tight pouring all her apologies and affection in the hug. I can't help but let a few tears pool in my eyes. That was one emotional speech only a mother could give. I know I'm not very happy with her but she's my mother and that will never change. I love her even though I won't be coming back here in a while. I pull back from the hug and move to hug my father tight and he returns the hug even more fiercely. That's his way of showing how sorry he is.

"Darlin' " He starts in his deep voice. We still have twenty minutes before we board the plane. "I'm really sorry I couldn't give you a normal childhood even with all the things I spoiled you with. I guess that was just me trying to overcome my guilt, that maybe just maybe, if I gave you all you asked for, you would overlook all the bullshit I put you through. But, you're smart....just like your old man," He chuckles and I smile while he continues, "I want you to go to Cali and show those people what a Seville can do." I just have to ask.

"What you and mom do?" and he winces but covers it quickly with a smile.

"Oh what a normal and intelligent Seville kid can do," He smirks and I hug him again. He pulls back from the hug and kisses my forehead. "I love you, kid. Make me proud, okay?" I nod.

"Oh and tell those boys to stay the fuck away from my girl or I'll hunt them down and kill them. I mean that shit." He says seriously but I see the playful glint in his eyes and I laugh along with mom. Then you wonder where I get my cursing a lot from.

"Okay dad, I know you do. Love you both and be nice," I say pointing at them just like I used to every time when I was little and they chuckle with tears in mom's eyes. I think I also see some in dad's eyes. I turn away before I cry myself and walk through the departure gate without looking back. I feel like I'm leaving all the baggage and old life back here and the only thing I'm bringing with me is myself and my stuff plus my parent's love...that's it period.