Love Letters

Oh BROTHER...

Oh BROTHER...

After driving for an hour, I pull over at a coffee place parking lot and I blindfold my mom with a red bandana I brought with me.

"Honey, what are you doing?" She lightly chuckles. "Why did you pull over at a coffee shop?" She says as I tie the red fabric gently around her eyes.

"Mom just wait," I say as I continue driving. "I just pulled over to blindfold you."

"Why did you blindfold me?" She asks with a smile.

"How am I supposed to surprise you then?" I smile back even though she can't see it.

"Goodness Emma, I don't know if I'm supposed to be afraid or happy at this point," she laughs.

I laugh, "You'll see."

I drive for a few minutes and I park at the airport. I get out of the car and quickly walk around to my mom's door and I open it as I hold her hand.

We walk through the doors of the airport as the speakers go off and kind of ruins the surprise. We stand next to the baggage reclaim.

"Emma, are we at the airport?" She asks.

"Yes mom," I say.

"Are we traveling?" She asks.

"No," I giggle as I look at my watch.

"Are we picking up your father?" She asks with excitement.

"I wish but no," I say.

"Then what are we doing here?" She asks.

"Mom please, stop asking questions, it's a surprise," I say as I look around still holding my mom's hand.

A young man looks at me and then at my mom and he waves as he rushes over to us. I let go of my mom's hand I hug him so tight as he kisses me on my cheek. "Mom, take off your blindfold," I say as she takes it off.

Her eyes light up instantly after she sees him, "Ryan!" She says with excitement as she attacks him with a huge hug. Ryan is my mom's little brother; my uncle. But I don't call him uncle since we are about the same age.

I open the car trunk and I try to take Ryan's bag but he insists that he puts them in there. I get in the driver's seat and Ryan and my mom sit in the back leaving the seat next to me empty.

"God, Emma you look so different since the last time I saw you," Ryan says as I back up the car and I drive.

"So is that a good thing?"

"Hell yeah it is, you look amazing!"

"Well, thanks but how about your sister?" I giggle as I look into the rearview mirror.

"Oh Teresa, of course, she never ages," he looks at her as Mom laughs.

"Ryan, I haven't seen you in what, like nine years!?" My mom starts. "I literally watched you grow on my phone," she smiles as she hugs him. "You look so different in real life."

"Speaking of being here in real life," Ryan starts. "Emma bought me a ticket to fly here so that she could surprise you with me as your Christmas present," Ryan says.

"Honey, this is the best present ever! I love you!"

"Mom, there's more," I say.

"What?"

"Ryan is staying here for six months!" I say with excitement as she shakes with pure happiness.

"Oh my god!" She says as I turn my eyes to the road.