Regrets

Young Americans

July 4, 1976

"The city is so beautiful," Evangeline commented with a smile on her face.

"Told you it would be," Alexandra said with a nonchalant shrug, "That's why I moved here." At least part of it, she thought.

Alexandra really did love living in Philadelphia. She loved that the air was fresher, and that it even had a different scent. The people were more friendly- even the obvious tourists of the city. The streets were busy and full of people, but they weren't overcrowded. There was always some sort of interesting person, who was a local, on the street, dressed up like someone from colonial history and the early days of America. There were street vendors selling fruits, vegetables, souvenirs and a hundred other things.

"It's so great here," Raquel commented, "But it'd be so hard for me to get used to the sudden calmness, compared to New York."

"I can relate to that," John agreed, "We've all been in New York City too long, now."

"Then how can I function so well here?" Alexandra asked her brother curiously.

You've been through a terrible tragedy back in New York, John thought sadly as an answer.

John still worried about his younger sisters. She's always been a strong girl and woman, ever since she was a young kid back in New York. And even when a tragic event occurred in life, she would be upset about it, but always had a positive outlook on the entire scenario. When their father died, she was devastated, but a positive attitude was always there- even with how close she was with their father. When she'd had a miscarriage and found out she could never have children, she'd been depressed for a little while, but eventually began to think better of the situation.

But when Frank was killed... that was another story.

Sure, Alexandra would still be positive and happy, but there was something different about her. Almost as if something was missing. She used to radiate happiness and anyone around would become instantaneously happy as well. Her smiled was a cliché smile and would be able to brighten up any room. But this had all changed when Frank was killed. She could still be positive and happy, but it didn't have the same effect on those around her anymore. It was like the light that was in her had grown dim.

John knew why she'd been able to quickly be able to get used to such a change of pace in Philadelphia. She'd suffered through so many tragedies at this point in New York City in her only twenty four years of life, that she'd probably be able to move anywhere in the country and cope easily. And the fact that the two had planned to move to Philadelphia probably gave her enough consolation to actually move there and to cope there. And at the same time, it was far enough- but not too far away- from where her whole life before had been. It was a perfect escape for her.

"You're just weird," John said in a playful tone that he'd commonly use with her as her older brother.

Alexandra gave a smile. "Harty- har- har," she scoffed, "How funny, John."

John gave another smile, one that was forced, then continued to walk with the group.

-/-/-

"So how do you like it here in New Orleans?" Barney asked politely.

"It's really nice here," Elizabeth answered with a smile, "I like how busy the city is."

"You like living in a busy city?"

She laughed. "I know, it sounds crazy. But when I was a little girl, my family lived on a farm, 'bout an hour and a half to two hours to the city- so we never got to go too much."