Hard to Love

Chapter two

“Last call for flight 919 to London!” the lady’s voice rang through the airport.

 “Well Kiddo, I guess it’s time for you to do,” Dad pulled me into a hug. “Be good. I’ll miss you. Don’t forget to call me when you get to the house. I called Dez earlier; he will be at the airport to pick you up.”

  “Okay Dad, I’ll call you as soon as I get to Dez’s. See ya!”

 Dad has been weirdly nice to me lately, and it is weird and awkward. Honestly, I think he’s just trying to get me as far away from him as possible so he doesn’t have to be reminded of how big of a disappointment I am. But I guess I can’t complain. He is sending me to live with my favorite uncle, back in my home country, where no one will know me as Josh and Kat’s little sister.

I boarded the plane no problem, but I’m not looking forward to the flight. But I’ve never flown from Canada before. We just moved here in March from Denver. I hated Denver, but then again I’ve hated every place we’ve lived ever since we left Dublin. Ever since Mom died, Dad has been moving us around everywhere. Nana says he has a restless soul now, but I think he has just gone crazy. I just want to go back home. This is going to be a long 13 hour flight.

 Next thing I know, the flight attendant is shaking my shoulder.

 “Wake up, Sweetie, we’ve landed,” she said in a sickly sweet voice.

 “Hummph,” that’s all I can manage to get out. I can’t believe I slept for that whole flight. But then again, I’m a chronic sleeper in vehicles. If it’s moving and I’m in it, I’m sleeping. I would seriously be the worst person to take on a road trip.

 I gathered my stuff and staggered off the plane. What a sight I must be; wearing old sweatpants and my brother’s old university hoodie. My hair is falling out of my bun and my makeup is probably smeared down my face. I received a dirty look from an elderly couple standing by the baggage claim, who probably thought I was drunk. I quickly grabbed my bags and made my way over to the waiting area. It’s not like Dez to be late, but those chairs look too damn comfy to care. I could feel myself slipping back into dreamland when I heard a familiar voice calling my name.

 “Alexis… Lex… Lexi…” the voice was calling.

 “Don’t call me Lexi!” I snapped, opening my eyes to see Uncle Dez laughing at me. “Dez!” I yelled, throwing my arms around him.

 “Hey Lex. I’ve been here for 20 minutes, but you looked so peaceful so I didn’t want to wake you. But then you started to drool so I figured it was probably time to get going,” he teased, chuckling.

 Instinctively, my hand shot up to wipe away the drool. Gross. I looked up and Dez was walking towards exit carrying my suitcases. Man he is so impatient. Quickly, but clumsily, I ran to catch up with him.

 As we got to the car, I shot Dad a quick text saying that I landed and on my way to the house. I looked at the time, 8:30am. That means that it is only 3:30 back in Toronto. I sighed and turned my phone off.

 “So, Dad said that you got a new job. What is it?” I asked Dez, trying to make conversation. He is being unnaturally quiet and it’s weird.

 “Well, I can’t really say right now. It’s still kinda hush-hush. But I think I’m going to like it. It’s going to be tiring though, but I just met the lads I’m working for and they’re all nice lads,” Dez responded, smiling. Wow, he must really like this job.

 “Well, what are you doing? You don’t have to tell me where,I just want to know what,” I replied.

 “Well, I guess you can call me a security guard.”