Whispers Among The Magnolias

One

Magnolia Carter

I felt the plane shake for several moments as we slowly landed. I stretched out my limbs in the spacious first-class seat. Soon my phone began to buzz with notifications as my connection returned. I paused my music, glancing down at the screen.

Mom
Did you land safe my little flower?
2:45 PM

Bestie
I still can't believe you're gone I still feel like we'll be starting our Senior year together on Monday, ttyl :(
2:30 PM

Pinterest
These ideas are so you!
2:15 PM

Dad
Sent 2,500 Direct Deposit
2:12 PM

Maybe: Addison
I'm so excited to meet you Maggie, can I call you that? It's Addison, I'll be here when you land. Just look for the lady with the big sign! laugh out loud!
1:45 PM

I turned my phone over and took a deep breath, as I left the plane I realized just how small the airport was. Only a couple of flights were looking for their bags with me.

I stood by watching each suitcase go by over and over. Each time mine were nowhere to be found. I checked my apple watch impatiently as other passengers grabbed their bags.

I walked over to an older man talking loudly with a security guard.

"I've been waiting for my bags for a minute is something wrong?" I asked and he looked at me.

"Well Good Afternoon to you too ma'am," he said, like most people around me he had a thick accent and stood there waiting for me to say it back. He titled his head rather obnoxiously.

"Uh, good afternoon, I'm missing my bags," I say again and he glances behind me.

"They might've gotten lost, we can ship it to your residence," he began and I immediately groaned.

"How could this happen? I need my suitcases all my stuff is in there," I said and he glanced at the guard next to him as they started to hold back their laughter.

"Well that's what suitcases tend to hold, stuff," he nudged the guard and they both laughed harder.

I rolled my eyes and walked away finding someone else.

After speaking to several people they let me know the tag had somehow fallen off my suitcases and assured me they would be found. In the meantime, they gave me a free round-trip flight and promised to have them shipped to my new address.

That did nothing to lighten my mood as I walked through the airport with nothing but my carry-on bag. I almost stopped in my tracks when I saw a big sign that said,

Welcome Home Maggie!

The sign was painted bright green, the background brush strokes made the sign look like grass and the letters were painted of flowers.

The woman holding the sign had long waist length blonde hair. Some strands curled neatly while others waved in different patterns, others were bone straight. Splattered across her hair and clothes were dried paint. She wore big blue overalls with a faded shirt underneath and worn-down sandals.

When she spotted me she dropped the sign out of one hand and waved it frantically, "Maggie, over here!"

I inched cautiously towards her as she closed our distance and pulled me into a tight hug.

She leaned back keeping one hand on me, "You look just like your mama!"

I couldn't help my smile, "Thank you."