Keepsake

Chapter 1

Alysia Evers

Flying on an airplane was like anything else. Sit in your seat and enjoy the ride. At least that's what I thought. I'd flown before and recalled a time when it scared me. When others spent their time walking around casually as though they weren't actually on a plane, I stayed sitting with my seatbelt fastened. While others enjoyed snacks and drinks, I had to keep wiping the sweat off my palms. Only if I had to did I get up and use the bathroom. The plane would shake with turbulence and I'd grip the seat in front of me. It would pass and I'd release my iron grip feeling my fingers ache.

Nowadays I sat next to the window and looked down at the clouds that, as they went by, shifted into cool shapes and figures. My fingers trace against the glass as I outline the figures. I finally sit back and put on my headphones. My play-lists were all organized by different occasions. This was the time for the soothing and relaxing play-list.

As the music began, I shut my eyes and drowned out the noise of the other people talking and mumbling. The only ones I could hear were those right next to me. One was my mother, Pamela. Her medium brown hair was tied up in a ponytail. She was the one I'd gotten my light skin color tone from. Next to her was my father, Lawrence. His black hair and medium build was a trait from his athletic days. He'd never lost the look that often caused women his age to turn their heads for a longer stare.

"Do you suppose the furniture is going to be there on time?" my mother asks Lawrence next to her. "It has to get there on time before the end of next week." She was referring to our furniture that was being driven to the new house in Jacksonville, Florida. Lawrence, my dad, had hired a company to deliver what we couldn't take on the plane.

I hear Lawrence adjust in his seat to a more comfortable position. "It'll be there on time, don't worry. Even if they're a little late, we're going to have plenty of time to put up all of the pictures and beds." I knew he was only saying that for her comfort. He looks over at me just as I open my eyes. "Getting her into a new school will probably be the hardest thing, which should be fairly simple."

College, not school, dad.

I was twenty and wanted to hurry and begin at a college in the neighborhood. Sitting at home while they unpacked and fixed up the house wasn't my thing to do. I needed to go out for whatever reasons. My last college was up for hosting an event that involved lots of shouting and snowboarding. Unfortunately I had to miss it because of our moving away to a sunny city which only got into the thirties during the winter. I knew I'd never see snow again as long as I was so far south. I couldn't tell where exactly we were at, but I could already feel the difference in humidity. Maybe it was my imagination.

After landing at the Airport, my parents and I gathered our luggage and made our way out. The rental was going to be our only means of transportation until my parents' cars finally arrived all the way from Chicago, Illinois.

The drive to the new house featured mom and dad going back and forth with directions and turns that usually required a U-turn. I would've tried at helping, but thought that it wouldn't help. My sense of reading maps was underdeveloped. Don't even get me started with a digital GPS. Don't get me wrong. I'm good with computers, but directions and compasses were out of my reach.

As we arrived at the new house, dad got out of the car and shut the door and stood admiring the two story house. "Now that's a home."

It was painted white with maroon gutters. The window frames were maroon colored too and covered with smudges. The driveway was large enough for two cars. Unfortunately none of those cars were mine. I don't have a car.

"Where's the key?" mom asks dad.

His face turns lost and he begins to shuffle through his pockets. "Got it," he answers with relief.