This is a request made by several readers for Sydney content. Please see warnings below.
T/W: Talk about the KC parade shooting, no graphic depictions of the violence that occurred there, but it is mentioned several times. I hadn't been planning to write about the parade in deference to the victims, but it is my hope that as with other sensitive topics, I've written the events in a way that is tasteful and not exploitative to anyone involved. My heart still very much remains with every single person affected by this terrible tragedy.
Slightly mature content ahead.
Taylor had been perfectly accustomed to the idea Travis wasn't going to be able to swing Sydney. His schedule in the wake of the Super Bowl was packed tight and even as he insisted he was going to try his best to be there, she'd tried to emphasize that she didn't want him to stretch himself too thin. She was well aware the grueling toll the season had taken on him, both physically and mentally as well as brand deals and other things he typically had going on during the off season. They'd already blocked out time together, both for her two month break after Singapore and the European leg of the tour.
He'd been apologetic, but she reminded him that they both understood that this was just how it went and they were solid.
And then everything fucking imploded.
"Taylor, Tay---wake up, sweetheart."
Startled, she jolted up in bed to see both her dad and Tree standing close by, arms crossed identically in front of their chests.
Even in the dim light, she could instantly tell something was wrong and her stomach sunk.
"Is it Mom?"
They exchanged a look she couldn't decipher and her father sat down on the edge. "Your mother's fine. We're about ten minutes or so from landing."
"I'm sorry we woke you up so early," Tree explained calmly, (too calmly, she noticed) "but we agreed not to wait."
By now, Taylor had broken out into a cold sweat and she wiped it off with her forearm, the skin clammy to the touch. Was the air conditioning in the cabin on? She was suddenly freezing, tugging her blanket higher to ward off the chill.
"Please...whatever it is, just tell me."
Tree went silent, looking to Scott who picked up his daughter's hand, clearing his throat.
"There's been a shooting at the parade, honey."
Blankly, she shook her head. "I don't understand. The parade?"
"The Chiefs parade," Scott took the care to speak slowly and deliberately, but all she could focus on was the detectable tremor in his voice. "Right after the team got up to speak, there were shots fired."
All at once, the fog lifted just enough for her to comprehend exactly what he was saying.
"I'm going to throw up."
Without any hesitation, Tree grabbed the small wastebasket from the corner of the room and Scott held her hair back.
Patiently, they both waited until she was done, her father rubbing her back, Tree getting her a bottled water and when she'd stopped, she was able to ask the only thing she could manage.
"Travis? And Donna---"
Tree answered, taking the hand Scott wasn't holding. "No one knows much. Just happened a little while ago. I tried to call Travis's phone, but it went straight to voicemail. The news is reporting quite a few people are injured and a woman... unfortunately, she passed at the hospital." Uncharacteristically, the steadiness with which she spoke wavered.
