The Vacation

Chapter Two

Since we were running to the airport, Dad and I both managed to not realize that my Jeep was almost out of gas. Dad drove like a maniac and it was kind of funny at first, but then we realized that we really wouldn't be able to reach the airport with no gas. Almost coincidentally, we had just pulled off the exit for the airport when the Jeep stalled and then stopped. We grabbed our luggage, which for me was two check bags and a duffel bag for a carry on, and started sprinting for the check in counter.

“Flight 5676 to England has now moved to Gate 45 for boarding. First boarding call will begin in fifteen minutes. Flight 5676 to England has now moved to Gate 45 for boarding. First boarding call will begin in fifteen minutes.”

My dad and I look at each other in panic just as the check in lady hands us our tickets and takes our check bags. That was our flight! And Gate 45 was all the way at the end of the airport!

We ran through security and throngs of people, shouting hurried apologies. Just as the intercom came on and told us that flight 5676 was now boarding first class, we reached the gate. Panting, we showed the pilot at the gate entrance our tickets and he shooed us onto the plane.

First class is nice, quiet, and the complete opposite of my morning thus far; no screaming kids kicking the back of my seat like a stereotypical TV plane ride. I guess it is pretty cool when your dad doesn't even think twice about sparing expense for the trans-Atlantic plane trip. When he doesn't need to think twice, because he's loaded.

“Sorry for not waking up on time this morning, Dad. I really did try to sleep light but I guess old habits die hard, right?” I say sheepishly to him as we wait for the rest of the plane to be loaded with people and luggage. I try to put on my best I-didn't-mean-to-Daddy face, but he knows I'm trying too hard and he laughs.

“You're forgiven, Jay, but next time maybe don't sleep with your head under your pillows and we won't have this problem.” He chuckles again.

I love that my dad is so easygoing and that he knows that it really is hard for me to wake up before 9:30 in the morning, but I still feel bad for almost causing us to miss our plane. And for not realizing my car was almost out of gas yesterday after school. Whoops.

The plane leaves the runway smoothly and the attendant gets through her safety spiel without incident, so I tell my dad I'm going to fall asleep. I put on some headphones and look over at him; he seems so engrossed in his newspaper, though, that I don't think he heard me. Oh well, he will figure it out eventually...he tells me I snore.

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Okay so I'm still assuming that I have readers at this point, so thanks for reading and don't forget to vote/comment/share!

xoxo,
Hannah