The Bar Code Experiment

New Arrivals

The sun is up and early for six in the morning. It's Arriving Day. I slip on my flannel and throw on some leggings. The leggings are brand new, but almost on the verge of getting a whole in them. The flannel is black and orange. My favorite colors. Also the colors of our Head Ministers. I slip on some comfy brown boots with laces. I grab my jacket because it is unusually chilly out for a September in Chicago. I head to the kitchen table where my dad is preparing some Belgium waffles and french toast. I grab my small backpack from the hook that is hanging on the leftmost side of the kitchen. I sit at the table where my brother, Mitchell Fair, is drinking a glass of milk. Right beside me is my mom, Lisa. She is on her laptop probably typing something for one of her pre-med classes at NIU. My mom is thirty-seven, but she wants to go take a few classes at NIU to have a "fresh start."

"Aless Honey, how many waffles do you want?" my dad asks.

"Just One" I reply.

"C'mon honey! You have to eat, so you have some brain food you know?" my mom says, "It is Arriving Day for your three month long clinic"

"I guess I'll have two" I give in.

"Mitch are you ready too?" my dad questions.

"Yeah sure" Mitch says, unconvincingly.

My dad delivers my two waffles on a plate that I vaguely remember.

"You made that plate at this pottery barn in the 4th grade" my mom giggles.

I had to have made it when I was young because all it looked like to me was a blob of paint. The waffles are chocolate chip. I devour the two in seconds. I guess I needed two waffles after all. I open my sky blue, over the shoulder bag. I have a little lunch box with some snacks just in case I get hungry. There is a few granola bars, fruit snacks, and a chocolate bar that I snuck in there without my mom seeing. There is a large water bottle, a fleece blanket and my favorite stuffed teddy bear.

"We better start heading to Assistant Ministers Quarter" I say.

It's 7:42. Arrival gates are open to the people attending the clinic and anybody related to the attendee. Gates open at 8:30. I head to the garage door and the rest of my family follows. Mitch has a bag identical to mine, but a dark red color. My dad is carrying a travel mug and has the newspaper folded in his pants pocket. My mom is holding the car keys and her purse. I head out the door and get into our SUV. Our car is like a grey squirrel color. I hop in the back seat and so does Mitch. My mom drives.

"Hey Alessaundra do you have an extra water bottle? I'm thirsty." my dad asks.

"Sorry I don't and you know I don't like to be called by my full name" I say.

Yes. My name is Alessaundra Olivia Fair. Anyways, my mom starts to pull out of the driveway and starts to head to the highway. It only takes ten minutes to get there. Maybe fifteen with traffic. Mitch slips on some headphones to tune out the rest of the world. We get there even quicker than I thought we would. The quarters are three large navy blue buildings all connected to each other. A big sign welcomes everyone that says:

                                                                           Minister's Quarters

My parents lead us to the main entrance. We walk into this large room filled with teens just like Mitch and I and their parents. Almost all of them have bags like me. I have done this before when I was a lot younger, but apparently lots has changed since then. Last time I was here we did crafts, team building skills, and scavenger hunts. There is a stage at the front of this large room with an older man standing at a mic. He has sharp green snake-like eyes and a black beard.

"Welcome to our 56th annual three month clinic!" he announces, "I'm Lorenzo and I'm the leader of these clinics. At this time parents say your goodbyes to your children, so we can get started as fast as we can."

My mom starts to tear up. I tell her that it is only a couple of months and then she starts to calm down. I give hugs to my parents then Mitch and I get closer to the stage. There is now no sight of parents anywhere. Lorenzo begins to talk about the history of this clinic and how it has helped some of the most famous athletes and celebrities. He talks for about twenty more minutes. I don't exactly listen because it starts to get boring. Mitch looks like he is actually paying attention for once. Lorenzo then gets really quiet for a moment then breaks the silence.

"Now who's ready to begin?"