The Life of Esther Jameson

Chapter Twelve

We all shuffled out of the SUV. Joseph opened the trunk and hoisted out Jackson's luggage. Silence reigned as we walked over to the drop-off section of the airport terminals. My hands couldn't stop at their raging game of tug-a-war.

Once we approached the terminal for Jackson's flight, everyone turned to him as he took a deep breath in revelation of starting a new life.

"This is it," Miriam said excitedly; however, anyone could tell how much she was struggling to maintain a cheerful front.

"I'm proud of you, son." Joseph chuckled and engulfed him in a massive bear hug.

"You're going to come back, right?" Jenny looked up at him with big, teary eyes. He grinned down at her and set down his backpack to pick her up.

"It might be a while, kiddo," he answered solemnly, trying to keep his tone light. "But I'll visit."

She wrapped her small arms around his neck and squeezed him so tightly like it was the last time she was going to see him. After putting her down, Luke tackled Jackson into a hug of his own. My little brother didn't need words to express how sad he was; all he had to do was cling to Jackson like a koala bear.

The next person in line was Miriam, who was fanning herself and dabbing at the tears falling from her eyes. "My beautiful boy."

Jackson smiled down at his mother as she clung to him.

"Now, don't go running off and elope with any of those college girls, you hear?"

"Yes, mom,"Jackson laughed. "I don't think I'm going to get married for while."

The comment was harmless enough, but it pierced my heart and I had to look away from Jackson. Despite my evasion, I still caught Jackson's eye and knew that I was the last one to bid him farewell. I mentally calculated the remaining minutes we had left, but even then, I couldn't form words to say.

"How long will you be gone?" I attempted after several minutes had passed.

"Four years, give or take." He sighed, ruffling his hair. "I'll drop by in once in awhile for holidays and stuff." I gazed down at my feet and desperately tried to hold onto my strong image, but it broke down before me and a flow of tears began to run down my face. He exhaled heavily and surrounded me with his protective arms. I wrapped my arms and around his torso and fisted my hands in the fabric of his jacket that covered his back. I was crying too much to say anything more.

"Stop being so emotional," he joked, trying to uplift the mood. He pulled away from our hug and cupped my face in his hands. He used the pads of his thumbs to wipe away the tears that were staggering downwards. He smiled and leaned forward to kiss my forehead, just like the day of the Summer Soiree. This one, though, caused the tension to leave my body and I in turn gave him a wobbly grin.

"I won't be gone forever," he reassured me and rested his chin on the top of my head. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small brown envelope and handed it to me. "Open it when you feel like the time is right."

"I'll miss you," I finally spoke and wiped the tears with the back of my hand. Jackson chuckled and fished around in the front pocket of his pants. He pulled out a very familiar looking candy wrapped in clear plastic and placed it the hand that held the letter. He gently grasped my other hand and intertwined his fingers with mine.

"For good luck." He grinned and began to back away to the rotating door of the terminal. He waved goodbye to all of us, but he didn't break his gaze on me.