Polaroid Truths

Oh my...

{29 March, 1975}

"Father, mother, I'm going over to Grace's today!!!" 

"Julia! Why are you leaving this early?!"

"Grace and I planned a lot of stuff for the day, and some of them take place early in the morning."

"You better not get home late! Or else-"

"Patricia, let Julia have some fun today." My father interrupts.

He winks at me, making me chuckle. I leave the house with one last goodbye and head to the train station. I hope we can pull this off.

I look around myself, to make sure Grace can't sneak up on me. While I do so, I spot Grace behind me, ruining her attempt to scare me.

"Almost!!! Did you have to turn around?!" She shrieks, and I burst out laughing.

"So, did you tell your parents you're staying over at my house?"

"Yes, but they were suspicious about the timing though. But they told me to have fun. Oh, and my mum says hi, by the way."

"That's so sweet, hi back!"

It's 8:25 am, the train should be here in a minute. I'm so nervous for this, I'm glad I have Grace by my side.

"Why are we going to New Orleans?"

"Apparently, I was born in New Orleans, and father said that he had stayed in New Orleans for quite a bit. So, while my parents were there, Annette could've been there too."

The train arrives. I take a few deep breaths while getting on the train. We take our seats, and fall asleep.

Who knows what this trip to New Orleans is going to bring to the table.

{Arrival at New Orleans}

We've arrived to New Orleans... We're here... The place I was born... And hopefully, also the place that will give me answers... We get out of the train and go inside immediately. My hands were shaking a lot. I don't like to admit it, but I was kind of afraid.

"I should look for a map, catch you on the rebound-"

"Julia!"

Grace grabs my wrist and makes me face her.

"Your hands... they're shaking!"

"Yes... yes, it's... it's nothing-"

"You're stressed out."

We look at each other and stay silent for a bit. Grace can't believe what she sees.

"Julia, you don't have to be stressed out. I understand, you're nervous, but I'm here with you. You're not going to face this alone."

Those words were so sweet, I don't know how to describe how sweet they were. I pull her into a hug and thank her... for everything.

"Let's get a map, together." She demands, laughing.

Once we've found a map, we get out of the station and head for the city. Thank goodness it's close by. We look around, trying to see something through all the people here. We managed to squash through some people and we made it to the other side of the street.