The Girl in Manhattan

•Childhood Memories•

Humid air trickled through Kayla's hair as she took an overstretched step between the plane and the airport floor. Looking down at her phone no new messages had swooped in from anybody, funny. Usually, when Kayla is on a plane ride her mother texts her non- stop expecting a message back saying 'we've crashed!' I swear, Lorraine always expects the worst when Kay travels alone. She had a slight pace in her steps as she didn't want to spend, what felt like a lifetime, waiting for her suitcase.

After retrieving the alarmingly small case, as i would call it, she made her way to the exit only to see her mother and father? A furrowed eyebrow expression upon Kayla's face slowly turned into a smile as she got up close. Lorraine ran over to her hugging her tightly, which surprisingly filled Kayla with a wave of comfort as it was the first hug she had received in, well, a long time. Returning the hug, Kay began the conversation 'What are you doing here? I was going to meet you at the house!' To which Lorraine replied 'I wanted to surprise you, i also couldn't stand the thought of you taking another type of transport by yourself!' You see what i mean! Kay returned the short- lived smile, spotting her father with his hands in his pockets giving a sort of 'Where is my hug?' look portrayed through his face. Rushing over, Kayla reached out for her fathers embrace smiling as she said 'I've missed you so much dad!' Chuckling, he replied 'You too squash.' There it was! The childhood nickname. The name that when Kayla heard it she immediately thought of the endless trips back and fourth between her Dad's house and her Mom's house.

Sitting in the back of the silent car, Kay noticed the awkward atmosphere lingering in the air like a bad smell and decided to cut the silence with the ultimate line 'I never thought i'd see you two in the same car again! Feels, i don't know, weird.' Derek, Kayla's father, and Lorraine returned a quick glance at each other as Derek replied 'We've decided to keep civil. These past few weeks have really taught us how short life can be.' His voice breaks as he coughs, trying to cover up the extreme hurt he is feeling. He was never one to show emotions in front of other people, except love. Derek was the most caring, loving, kind father Kayla could ask for, Hence why they get along so well.

As the car drifted up the driveway of Kay's childhood home, she sighed. Staying in the car a few moments after Derek and Lorraine, she noticed the tire swing Sammy made for them both to play and let out a small chuckle. 'Home' She whispered to herself, fighting back the tears and hurt she was feeling.