Fall in San Diego

25. your right senses

We walked for a long time and I was exhausted but the promise of actually going to a home with food, water and a shower kept me going.

Luckily, Peter knew the way pretty well. He said that he had been to this part of town a lot. And yes, we were still in San Diego. It had changed so much in the past few weeks we'd been gone. The city was decorated beautifully with the orange trees and their leaves littered around at street corners, near the benches in the parks, beside peoples homes. The evening was cold and the air was humid. Winds of different strengths flew by constantly.

"I would never take the noise of human beings and cars and life for granted ever again," Tanya said as we strolled through the city, gawking at everywhere like we were aliens that just landed on the planet earth. We didn't bother to acknowledge the stares of the passers-by as we walked. We were just focused on a destination.

We walked past a bakery and the scent of the pastries made me cry out in frustration.

"Can't we just like go in there and act like beggars or something?" I asked as I grabbed my stomach. "I mean we already got the look."

They laughed.

"We're almost there," Peter assured and picked up his pace. My arms ached, my legs ached. Everything hurt.

***
The looks on Tanya's mother's face was priceless when the four of us stumbled into her home.

"Tanya?!" she shrieked and ran over to her, gripping her so tightly Tanya cried out. She gave a tired laugh after her mom loosened up. "The police stopped searching for your guys a few days ago. I was so devastated. You have no idea how happy I am to see you."

She still held on to her, not wanting to let go one bit and sobbed quietly. Tanya was sobbing as well.

"Peter!" she said and beckoned him over with a small gesture. Then she froze as she finally saw Michelle and I standing at the door silently.

"Aunt Julie this is Larry and Michelle," he said as he walked over into her embrace.

She hugged him quickly and then let go of both of them, curiosity taking over her completely as she stared at us.

"Who are they and..." she took a deep breath and ran her hands through her short, brown hair. "Can someone explain?"

"Yeah, sure, but first, where's dad?" Tanya asked as she looked around and peered into the kitchen.

"He's at work honey. I need explanations. Why are you all filthy and-?"

"Mom, food first. Then shower, then I tell all my friends I'm alive, then I'll explain everything," Tanya said and rushed to the kitchen, leaving us three standing in the living room.

"Can I-?" I started, pointing to the kitchen with a huge smile on my face. "I might just pass out."

"Of course!" she said, still staring at me with a creased forehead. She nodded at me to go on.

"And the little girl too," I heard her say on my way to the kitchen.

I'd never seen someone so confused and lost before. I could only chuckle.

"Shouldn't I make something for you guys?" She said walking into the kitchen a minute later. I was already pouring an entire container of cereal into my mouth as it was the first thing I could get my hands on. "A proper meal?"

"Mom, maybe during dinner," Tanya said before taking a huge bite of the apple in her hand. "Right now anything edible is alright."

I lowered my box of cereal slowly as I stared at her.