Love hits hard.

6 Change of plans

"I'm so sorry, kiddo, but I'm also very excited." You pa, sounds like he could burst with joy. You called him, telling him about the ticket situation. You will be in his neck of the woods, after all. Your dad tells you that he will help you out with a hotel, that you don't have to stay with him on base, "my only request is, that you come over a few days before and spend time with your old Pa before the concert" of course you agree. The money you will save can be used to make sure grams have a live in helper for the days you are away. You had asked her if she wanted to visit your dad but she said, "I'm too busy with my clubs". In truth, seeing him brings back memories of your mum, and it still hurts her heart very much. 

As you pack a bag, you have a sudden burst of energy. You're going to a rap concert. you're going to have the best time. "woops" you almost forgot your light stick.  The girls are leaving on their road trip today, too. They got tickets for the L.A. show.  It would take them two days to drive there, without stops, but they are gonna spend the next 12days and nights driving and visiting places on the way. they hired a car and will fly back after.  

One of your work colleagues is driving you to the train station. The next 20 hours on the Amtrak are gonna be brutal. But you can listen to music and watch some movies, hopefully you will sleep for some of it. 

As it turns out, the seat you have booked has some issues, the table doesn't fold away, and the plug socket it broken so you are moved to a better seat. This one has a table and there are no other passengers. "score." You spread out, lowering the table, and you now have a make shift bed. The staff give you extra pillows and blankets. For the first three hours, you enjoy the quiet, you nap. It's like a mini vacation, and you've not had anything resembling that since before your mum and moon left. It hurts to think about them, so most of the time, you don't. But for the first time in a long time, the memories don't sting your eyes. 

You've been on the train for almost five hours when a young family got on. they are seated on the isle next to you. The youngest looks around four, and the mum looks stressed. Unable to help yourself, "Hey sweetie, do you want to look out my windows?" he was causing a fuss as his older sister wouldn't move. The mum, feeling unjudged, is grateful to you. Its not long before you lower the table once again and make a sheet fort for him, his sister joins him, and they play nicely together. The mum is able to relax, knowing that her kids are having a nice time. You find out they are going home after spending time with family. The next 6 hours are fun. The kids start fussing after some time, so you play a board game, their mum packed, and tell her to take a nap. The kids are sad to get off at their stop, but you were happy to help another family. 

After getting some hot food, you use the washroom and decide on some sleep. When you wake up, you will be in New Jersey. Sending a message to you dad "hi, it's me, I arrive at the station at 7:15am. See you then. " Your dad said he would be there to pick you up, and you fully expect him to be late. It's nothing new, but time just evades him. It's strange because how a man of his standing at the base is always late for you is mind-boggling. 

The gentle rocking of the carriage and the clacking of the tracks helps you drift into a peaceful sleep. Your subconscious conjuring up images of the rapper, the stage set up, you had stayed off of social media so that you could witness the show first hand. You still can't believe you are going.  Opening your eyes, the sun shines in through an unforeseen gap the window coverings.  Damn it. You were singing along with the other fans, and it felt electric to be there. That was where you were at in the dream, before that, you had been running late, anything and everything that could go wrong or delay you happened, and by the time you got there, you had missed the first hour and the venue staff almost didn't let you in.  Thank goodness it was only a dream. 

When the train comes to a stop, everyone gets up and collects their luggage. You only have your backpack. There was no need for a full case. You have a your make up bag, outfit, and change of shoes. You have t-shirts and jeans for the other days you are here. As you stretch and make your way off the train and on to the platform, you see your dad. He has a large piece of card with your name on it and birthday balloons. This would embarrass others but not you. He wasn't there for your actual birthday, and this is his way of making it up to you. You can't hide the massive smile as it spreads over your face. Despite the rocky relationship you have with him, you still love him. He hugs you so tightly that you feel like he's going to squeeze the air out of you. "Missed you, kiddo," he says into your hair. Ugh, I'm an adult now, not a kid," you grumble. He swaps you, your bag for the balloons, and you follow him to the car.  It's the same old burgundy truck he's had for years. "You not think you could have washed the car to pick up this birthday, princess," you laugh. The radio is busted, and the tape deck stopped working before he got it. Driving in silence at first, he pulls into a drive thru and buys some coffee. Sitting in the car park, you guys catch up. Nothing has changed with him, but you say, "Baabaa, you look  a little more weathered since the last time i saw you. I can tell you aren't using the products i sent you. They are good for men your age" he nearly chokes on his hot coffee, "i will have you know, that I'm not weather, you make it sound like I'm a piece of wood, that's been laying on a beach for years. Your Pa, he's been getting eyed up " It's your turn to choke on your drink. "well, does this person have glasses, or a dog they don't go anywhere with out, wait do they have one of those long sticks with a ball on the end" bursting into a side splitting fit of laughter, your dad elbows you. "Nah, I'm happy for you, If you find someone to be with, then go for it.