Our Roots SAMPLE

Chapter Three- Deeper

Piti

I stare out the window at the clouds below while my mind wonders and sleep alludes me. We're still about an hour out from Orlando, but I'm so anxious to get off this plane. Not only because flying still scares me a little, but also because I'm ecstatic about seeing my best friend and her family again for the first time in ages.

And for such a happy occasion too.

I jump when a hand touches mine. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. You just look kind of, I don't know, anxious? Is everything okay?" My boyfriend, CJ, asks.

I sigh and throw my head back against the headrest. "I'm just ready to land already."

He chuckles. "I know, me too. I bet Courtney and Charlie are just as excited to see you as you are them."

I smile at the thought of them. It's been months since Courtney last visited Chicago and while we talk often, it's not the same. I always thought we'd be there for all the big moments in each other's lives, but it hasn't happened that way so far. She comes to visit a couple times a year and we pretend that nothing's changed, even though I think we both know that neither of us are the same people we used to be.

We finally land and my heart leaps with joy. I impatiently make my way through the airport, leaving CJ in a proverbial cloud of dust. When I reach the baggage claim, I keep my eyes peeled for Courtney and Charlie.

I wander around for a few minutes, checking each exit, but no sign of them. I see CJ coming towards me in the distance wearing a huge smile on his face. He nods behind me and I turn around to see a giant poster board that reads, Welcome to Florida Aunt Piti! in glittery, pink letters.

I already feel the tears coming when I leap into Courtney's arms. "I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you, too!" she cries.

I kneel down in front of Charlie and she grins ear to ear. "A little birdie told me that you like these nasty things," I say, handing her a bag of dried fruit.

She giggles. "Thanks, Aunt Piti. Oh, I almost forgot! I drew you a picture!" She takes a rolled up piece of paper out of her small, pink sling bag and hands it to me.

"Thank you," I tell her, standing up straight and unrolling the paper. It's a picture of me, Charlie and Courtney at the beach in the sunshine. It's something we always talk about doing together, but haven't quite got around to yet. "I love it! You are going be an artist someday, just like your mommy!"

She takes my hand and drags me towards the exit where I see Ryder parked. He gets out and he and CJ load our luggage into the trunk while Courtney, Charlie and I get into the back seat. Charlie never lets go of my hand as we drive away.

"So I hear there are some no boys allowed plans for today," Ryder says.

"That's right, dad. Just us girls!" Charlie says looking between her mom and me. "We're going to the beach!"

"Oh! The beach, huh? Would it be okay if CJ and I stopped by later to hang out? After you're done with girls day, of course," Ryder asks.

Charlie groans. "I guess."

After dropping our things off at Courtney and Ryder's house, us girls head for the beach. It's been so long since I've felt like I was in my comfort zone, but with Courtney, it's not hard to feel comfortable. She's known me longer than anyone and I can be myself around her.

We set our beach chairs out and put our shades on. Charlie sits in front of us with a pail, shoveling away without a care in the world. It's a beautiful day out, even though it's hot. The gentle ocean breeze makes the heat a little more bearable, but after a while we've all had about all we can take.