Checkers

Chapter 3 - The Goodbyes

I looked around my bare room then back at the pile of suitcases. I sighed and sat down on my bed. This was really happening.

My flight was scheduled to take off in four hours. I would be leaving for the airport soon. It seemed only a yesterday I had gotten the letter when in reality it had been a week. Nancy had contacted Antonio who got me the plane tickets and told Nancy that he would be waiting for me at the terminal when I got in.

I had to admit that I was nervous about leaving especially since I had no idea what to expect. I did look up pictures of Wilkenshire and it was a beautiful place. I just hated the idea of leaving everyone and everything I knew for some people who claimed to be related to me.

A soft knock at the door brought me back from my thoughts. Dell slowly inched the door open and poked her head inside. Her hazel eyes scanned the room as she entered.

"It's really happening?" Dell asked quietly.

I nodded. "Yeah, I guess it is."

Dell walked over and sat next to me on the bed. We both stared at the same spot on the wall not saying a word.

"Who's going to carry out Snack Time Sundays with me?" she whined.

I turned to face her for the first time she walked in. "Dell, I already promised that I will always do that."

Dell still faced away from me making it so I could only see her profile. "I know," she sniffled. "But we're going to be in different time zones! And you might do it but you still won't be with me."

She closed her eyes as tears threaten to fall and I wrapped my arms around her tiny frame. Snack Time Sundays had been a tradition ever since I caught Dell sneaking a snack at midnight. We'd always meet up in the kitchen at midnight Sunday morning and now that I was going away, the tradition would have to stop.

I felt a few drops hit my arm as I let Dell cry in my arms. I bit my lip to keep strong knowing that if I didn't think about the tears, they wouldn't come. I had to be strong for the both of us.

"Now that you're going to be gone, who am I going to hang out with?" she sobbed.

I shrugged lightly. "You've got Candy and Carmen."

"Yeah, but they aren't as good as you!" she wept and I felt touched.

I hugged her a little tighter as I whispered, "It will be alright."

We were both silent for a little while until Dell asked, "Can you promise me one more thing?"

I looked down at her tear streaked face and nodded slowly.

"When you meet a prince and he sweeps you off your feet, you have to invite me over there before you get married. He has to meet my standards first," Dell proclaimed looking at me more seriously than I'd ever seen her.

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my mouth. Out of all the things that I was going to go there to find, love was not on my list.

"Promise!" Dell yelled as my laughter died down.

I cleared my throat and gained composure. "Okay, I promise."

"Are you ready?" a voice asked. I looked up to see Nancy standing awkwardly while she watched us. Dell squirmed out of my embrace and stood from the bed. I joined her and nodded to Nancy as Dell tried to cover up the fact that she had been crying.

Miss Nancy took her cue and grabbed two of my suitcases and left the room. I squatted down to Dell's level and gave her a real hug.

"I'm going to miss you so much," I told her quietly. She was the closest thing I had to a sister and now I had to let her go.

"You make it sound like you'll never see me again," Dell pointed out as we broke our hug.

"You're right," I sighed as I left one hand on her shoulder. "I see you in a few weeks."

She nodded then stood up straight and turned her attention to getting one of my suitcases. I grabbed the last of my luggage which was just my carry-on bag. Dell and I made our way downstairs to the car outside taking our sweet time to do so. We were both trying to delay the inevitable.

Once I was outside, I noticed a crowd of kids hanging around the car with Nancy. Dell silently put my suitcase in the back of the car as I loaded my carry-on bag in the passenger seat.

"Checka, I'm going to miss you!"

"I hope you come back soon!"

"Have fun in England Franny!"

Multiple shouts were heard from the small crowd forming around the car. I mustered a 'thanks' to everyone and gave a few hugs to the small children that ran out of the crowd and grabbed onto my legs.

"Alright children, we all want Francesca to catch her flight, right?" Nancy voiced from the driver's side of the car. A few children nodded and I felt the tears threaten to spill over. I pried the last of the children away from me and gave them all smiles while promising to not be gone for long. I gave one last wave as I got into the passenger seat of the car. I looked at Dell one last time and made a heart with my hands. She gave a small smile in response and copied my action.

Nancy started the engine and slowly we drove away from the only home I'd ever known. I watched out the back window as the large red bricked building disappeared from sight.

I turned around in my seat and faced the front windshield. I sighed loudly and Nancy commented, "It's only ten minutes away."

My nerves were so stressed that I stayed silent the entire ride to the airport. When I started to see the low flying planes, I could have wet my pants. Whether it was excitement or nerves, I wasn't sure. After Nancy parked and we got a cart for my luggage, we made our way to the check-in booth. Little conversation was made until all my suitcases had been taken and my ticket had been checked.

Nancy and I made our way to the security scan where we would have to separate. As we reached the metal detectors and lines of people, I stopped and faced Nancy. She looked at me earnestly and smiled.

"Thank you," I said with a deep breath.

"For what dear?"

"For everything you've ever done for me," I mumbled already feeling my voice crack. "You've done a good job at making sure I was taken care of properly after my mother was taken away from me. If not for you, I'm not sure where I would be right now."

Nancy took a step forward and gave me a hug. When she pulled away, I adjusted the strap of my carry-on and waited for her to add anything.

"You're more than welcome," she replied. "Now go. Have fun. Learn about your heritage."

I smiled at her as I turned toward the line of people going through security.

"I know you will take a lot from this," Nancy assured.

I turned back to her. "Please take care of Dell."

She nodded once and then stepped back as if to silently push me toward the line. I waved goodbye to my past and headed toward my new future.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Author's Note: Thank you for reading this story. I hope you all enjoyed. I appreciate recieving any comments but it is never necessary to post any if you wish to read this story.