Marathon

Chapter 11

*time skip 3 weeks, May 12*

"Are you sure you have everything Robert Manion?"

"Yes! I have everything."

"Good. OK let's go to Chicago!"

"Are you excited?"

"Of course I am. I'm going to see my mom and sister! And make the announcement that we've been holding on to for like a month and a half."

The pair got into their uber and headed off to the airport. It was a pretty short drive to LAX and they were at the entrance before they knew it. They quickly moved through the airport, going through an unusually short line in security, and getting to the gate.

"I'm nervous." Robert said.

"Don't be. They're going to love you."

"But what if they get mad?"

"Then they'll get mad. But then they'll get over it."

"I don't want them to be mad at me."

"Don't worry too much about it. They will love you." They made their way to the seating area and got comfortable.

A few hours later, they were exiting the plane and walking towards baggage claim. As they rode the escalator down, Veronica spotted her mom waiting for them

"Mom!" She jumped down the last 4 stairs and ran to her mom and gave her a huge hug.

"Oh I'm so glad you're finally here!"

"Me too! I missed you guys so much!"

"We missed you too sweetheart." Veronica looked around for Robert and spotted him coming over to them with a smile on his face.

"Mom, this is Robert."

"Ahh, so you're the famous Robert." She smiled and looked at Veronica and whispered "He's a cutie"

"Mom!"

"It's really nice to meet you too Mrs. Sawyer."

"Oh call me Melinda dear. Mrs. Sawyer is too formal."

"Ok then! Thank you for having me Melinda."

"Of course dear. Now, let's go home, your sister is waiting patiently for you."

"Why didn't she come with?"

"Homework. And she's grounded."

"Why?"

"She snuck out of the house."

"Oooo."

"But I'm letting her off early since you're here and I don't want that to ruin your trip."

"That wouldn't ruin it. I'm here to see you guys and if that means spending the week in the house, then that's what we do." They grabbed their bags from the baggage claim and walked out of the airport. Robert grabbed Veronica's hand and smiled at her.

"So, Robert, where exactly are you from?"

"Tasmania."

"Oh really?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Well that's really cool. What made you end up in LA?"

"Theater."

"Oh! You do theater as well?"

"i do."

"That's really cool."

They drove an hour and a half to Veronica's childhood home. The couple sat together in the back seat holding hands. Veronica played with the ring that was hanging around her neck. Robert looked at her and smiled. Melinda kept glancing in the rearview and smiled knowingly. She knew that there was something between them, she could tell in the way that her daughter would smile every time he spoke. She also knew that they would tell her what was going on when they were ready to do so.