My Daughter, Audrey [ON HOLD]

The Other Girl in America

Jennie moved her eyes slowly towards the glass window that overlooked the transparent clouds.   Her eyelids dropped and rose as she tried to focus on the endless body of navy blue water.   But it was impossible, even the slightest interference with her vision such as a bird flying by sent her into a wobbling world.   She had only been in the air for three hours, and she still hadn’t adjusted to her new environment.  Her heart tightened at every jolt and vibration that wasn’t voluntarily, and every time there was a small fit of turbulence, she clutched onto her seat belt and squeezed her eyes shut.  Jennie had thought her first flight to would be an enjoyable journey, but the longer she was airborne, the more she wished she had stayed on the ground back home.  Jennie swallowed a dry lump as her fingers closed around a locket around her neck. 

               “Can I get you anything, miss?”  a stewardess asked warmly, flashing her bright white teeth. 

               Her shimmering turquoise eyeliner distracted Jennie from the question, and Jennie couldn’t control herself from wincing at the color mix-up—for the cool blue clashed against the young lady’s freckled skin.   But Jennie became conscious of her rudeness and returned the smile.  “I’m sorry, I’m fine, thank you.”

               The stewardess curtsied and found service with another passenger.   Jennie returned her gaze out the window and wondered how far away she was from the States.  Would she see the grand Liberty Lady like she had seen the Eiffel Tower once when she was four years old?  Or would it look all the same, only busier?  London was a bustling town with its squeaking trolleys, yelling venders, running children; what could possibly be more exciting than that in America?   Jennie had heard stories from her friends who went abroad, and it didn’t seem that much different than England.  Jennie was interested in getting her hands on a Joan Baez record; she had heard that she was “soulful” and “poetic”. 

               “Perhaps I can bring an album back for Peter?”  Jennie thought to herself dreamily.  “Or, that man who sung ‘Pursuit of Happiness?’   Oh, such a dear song!”  Jennie clicked her fingers in frustration of forgetting the man’s name.  “Though, I can probably get that back at home.”  Jennie snuggled deeper into her cushiony chair and closed her eyes.   The soft hum of the plan gliding through the air sang a peaceful lullaby to Jennie, making her forget about her fear of flying.  

               It was an hour later when Jennie woke up to the whirling hum of the plane’s engine.   For a moment she forgot where she was and began jerking in her seat and smashing her hand against the rounded window.   “I’ve got to get out!  Please--,” Jennie cried out before catching the baffled glares of the passengers next to her and behind her.   She heard the crinkling of jackets as the people in front of her turned around and stared at her in confusion and annoyance.   Jennie swallowed and pulled the collar of her shirt closer together in discomfort—even though she was used to be stared at, she was still uneasy about being in everyone’s thoughts.  “I’m sorry, I had a bad dream,” Jennie excused, finding sudden interest in her open-toed heels.

               Her cheeks puffed out in her exhalation, and she eyed the cat-shaped clock in the front of the passenger seats.  She had three more hours to go.

               How dreary and dull the next hours carried out.  The stewardess offered her sodas and snacks, but Jennie didn’t have an appetite—she was too worried about Peter and Audrey.   She wished she hadn’t run out on Peter without saying a proper goodbye.   Tears collected in her glistening blue eyes at the thought that Peter could be hurt or depressed.  What if he didn’t get the note?   Jennie stood up in her seat, her face in a trance at the horrible thought of Peter not receiving the note.

               “Please, ma’am, sit down until we arrive to our destination,” another stewardess advised, sitting Jennie back in her seat.

               “Oh, yes, thank” Jennie replied, oblivious to the words the young girl had said to her.   Jennie wedged her knuckle between her teeth and her knees began to wobble.   If only she had a way to contact him!  Jennie soon had to comfort herself with the idea of sending him a letter when she reached America.   She wasn’t sure, however, where Audrey was stationed.   If the plane landed in New York, which she assumed it was heading, than she could get in contact with the big production and modeling companies there.  If Helen was a known name in England, then surely she would be famous in New York!

               Jennie kept her eyes on the ceiling or the floor, as she never really noticed how prone to lightheadedness she was until she had boarded the plane.  Thankfully, the soda she sipped on kept her queasy stomach at ease as well keeping the rich shrimp appetizer from making an appearance.   She didn’t bring much to entertain her, so her thoughts occupied her until she heard the shriek of a small child in the back row.   Immediately, Jennie’s hands dove for her seat belt, tightening the strap, and then flinging her hands on to the arms rests, clutching for life.  

               “Look, Mommy!  There it is!  There’s the Statue of Liberty!” the child’s voice proclaimed, followed by a giddy laugh.   The child’s marveling of the bold and noble lady was hushed by his mother.

               “Jimmy, control yourself, and don’t sit up in your chair, I don’t want you to get hurt!” His mother kissed him tenderly and smoothed his straight brown hair.  He wriggled against her protecting arms, his face contorted in frustration and he soon settled in a discouraged ball of folded arms and a protruding bottom lip.

               Jennie smiled softly at the boy when he gave her two glaring eyes.   But at her sweet smile, the boy’s face brightened up and he was well again from his stitch.   Jennie peered out of her window and saw diminutive green splotches and large patios of cement, or what could be groups of people, she could hardly tell.   Her eyes traveled across the bank and onto the large island that held America’s goddess.  Jennie’s mouth parted in astonishment at the breathtaking view.   Her hands pressed gently against the cold glass and a childish smile gleaned on her face.   

               “Will everyone please take their seats and fasten your seatbelts.  We are landing in New York’s station.  Please take your seats and fasten your seatbelts,” boomed the robotic female voice over the intercom. 

               Jennie descended into her chair and buckled up.   Her breath came out faltered, but her heart raced with an excitement she hadn’t felt before.  She was over the border  and in the land of the free.