Chapter One
“Make sure you wear sunscreen, okay?”
“Yes, Mom.”
“And make sure you take care of grammy, okay?”
“Yes, Mom.”
“And make sure yo-”
“Yes, Mom, I get it,” I laughed, pulling my mom in for a hug.
“I know, I’m just really going to miss you,” she responded, smoothing my hair. I broke the hug and wiped the tears off her face. Before I could respond, the speakers over head announced that my flight was boarding on its last call. “Oh, okay. Goodness. Well, you better go. Please be safe, Gen. And call me when you land.”
“Of course, Mom. Love you.”
“I love you too, Gentry.”
With that, I turned away from my mom and walked towards where I would board my plane to my grandma’s for the summer. Which I was a lot less than excited about. I turned around to blow my mom a quick kiss before I got on the plane.
“Attention, passengers, please put on your seat belts, Flight 106 to Los Angeles, California will depart in less than 5 minutes.” After faking a smile to my neighbors and exchanging a few choice words, I put my ear buds in my ears and turned my iPod on, blasting to whatever song shuffle deemed appropriate.
I was a little girl / Alone in my little world / Who dreamed of a little home for me / I played pretend between the trees / And fed my house guests bark and leaves / And laughed in my pretty bed of green / I had a dream / That I could fly from the highest swing / I had a dream
And with that, I closed my eyes to dream of the numerous adventures I would encounter while away from home.
Long walks in the park / Through woods grown behind the park / I asked God who I’m s’posed to be / The stars smiled down at me / God answered in silent revelry / I said a prayer and fell asleep / I had a dream / That I could fly from the highest tree / I had a dream
Now I’m old and feeling gray / I don’t know what’s left to say / About this life I’m willing to leave / I lived it full / I lived it well / There’s many tales I’ve lived to tell / I’m ready now / I’m ready now / I’m ready now / To fly from the highest wing / I had a dream
“Miss? I’m sorry, miss?” I felt someone poking me in my side.
“Yes?” I mumbled, rubbing the sleep from my tired eyes.
“I’m sorry, our flight has landed. You have to exit the plane,” the flight attendant gleamed at me. I never could understand how someone could stay so happy all the time sitting on an airplane all day. It is part of the job, but nonetheless, I wouldn’t be anywhere near as happy or smile-y as this woman seemed to be.
“Right, sorry.”
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Although I didn’t want to be away from my friends all summer, I was excited to see my grandma and cousins I hadn’t seen in awhile. I looked for my grandma, but I didn’t see her anywhere. As I looked around, I realized that I didn’t really see anyone that I recognized. Until I heard someone yelling my name from behind me.
“Gentry! Gen, it’s me!” the voice rang. I still didn’t recognize who they were, I smiled and embraced them anyways. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d remember what any of them looked like. Hell, I hadn’t seen them in five years, I don’t know I’ll remember their names. Besides the calls on my birthday, I hadn’t seen or heard from anyone on my dads side of the family. Not by choice, it was just easier that way. “You look great. And grown up. Last time I saw you, you were missing your teeth and you’d spit your fingernails at me when I stole your grapes.” I remember this story.
