My American Dream

Chapter 2

I followed as closely behind Ivan as I could manage, weaving between the long lines of costumers conjugated at the wide automatic doors of Chik-fil-a.

Our eyes scanned the room, looking for mom or dad.

Neither of them would've stood out too greatly in the ordinary American crowd.

Like Ivan and myself they both had wavy chestnut brown hair, and brown eyes.

I'd always preferred my mom's unsurpassed, kind blue eyes above my own common brown eyes.

Glancing around the filled fast food chicken restaurant once more I spotted them sitting at a circular, standard, four person table.

My work oriented dad sat typing on his ever present computer.

My mom waved upon noticing Ivan and I zigzagging past the throng of hungry costumers.

"Over there," I told Ivan, pointing towards the otherwise vacant corner where our parents awaited us.

The aroma of the iconic fried chicken sandwiches, frizzled waffle fries made my mouth water, and my yearning stomach growl.

I hadn't eaten all day.

"Excuse me," I muttered, accidentally bumping into a man's shoulder.

Every American seemed in an urgent rush, not even acknowledging another's existence.

Arriving at the table a second after my nimble brother I could already see my dad's serious expression.

"Take a seat," my caring mom warmly welcomed us to the table. "I already ordered chicken tender menus for each of us."

While Ivan and I obediently grabbed chairs our solemn dad closed his computer, pushing it to his side so he could lean forward slightly on the table.

I knew what this meant.

Whatever he was about to say, it was serious.

I mumbled on a crisp, delicious tender, it's warmth filling my belly, and it's tastes satisfying my tongue.

I wasn't here for the food however, and I eagerly anticipated the announcement which led my parents to call us together.

In his usual slow to speak fashion, dad was heavily contemplating his words before he spoke.

Looking towards Ivan I could see his excitement building. Unlike me, he made no attempt in hiding it.

It wasn't easy keeping my calm composure. I turned my body to hide my shaking, rapt chest. Inside, my lungs pumped air quicker than I could breath, my heart pounded like I had just finished a marathon.

Get to it, I wanted to scream.

I kept silent knowing it'd be useless, there was no rushing a family announcement.

"A deal has been made." My dad said, bluntly.

His normal, straightforward speaking style was always exasperated when something important was on his mind.

I caught myself squealing "yes," and quickly clamped my hands over my mouth.

While my mouth grow silent my brain did not.

I can finally go home! Thoughts and memories flooded my mind. I can't wait to speak in my mother tongue again, go back to school, see my friends, and most importantly, be home, where I belonged.

I'm going to hug Karen so hard, I thought, excited.

I felt a tear begin to trickle down my cheek, but quickly brushed it away as many eyes were drawn to me after my sudden burst of excitement.