miles away

one

"Marissa will be waiting for you at the gate when you land. You've got her number and everything, right? Oh, gosh. You don't have her number!"

"Mom," I droned exhaustively. My mother's secondhand pre-flight jitters were making me even more nervous than I already was to be flying to Tennessee. I'm deathly terrified of planes, let alone flying all by myself. "I've got this all covered," I reassured. 

She kissed my forehead, leaving a smudge of red lipstick, and gave me a look of deep admiration. You know, that motherly look that screams, "Oh, my baby girl is growing up!" 

"Call me as soon as you can, okay?" she questioned for the billionth time. I nodded gratefully and hugged her as tightly as possible.

"I love you, Mom."

"I love you, Katy," she returned, using my beloved nickname.

Another genuine embrace was shared between hearts.

"Flight 110 departure in five minutes."

"Oh, goodness. That's you," Mom shook regretfully. I giggled at her sudden exasperation.

"I'll see you soon. I promise. I love you, Mom."

"Good bye, darling," she fare-welled with a certain melancholy and hugged me again. Within a few moments, I watched her welcoming figure leave my departure gate. I'm going to miss her so horribly much.

-

"Drinks?" a woman flight attendant dressed in navy blue and blood red pondered. I offered her a kind smile and nodded graciously.

"Water, please," I replied.

I cannot believe I'm actually staying remotely calm on this flight. I've never flown without my mother's presence. It's certainly different, but I finally feel somewhat grown up now.

Every year, I visit my dad and his wife, Marissa, in Tennessee to spend the majority of the summer at their beautiful home. I am always eagerly up for it, but my mom just couldn't find the courage to leave this time. With my new baby sister on the way, she didn't feel comfortable leaving for two months. If she would have been induced into labor without my step dad in driving distance, she would have had a fit. 

So, she sent me all alone instead.

Mimi, my cousin closest in age to me, and I are bunking in their extravagant guest house a quarter of a mile away. She can seem pretty eccentric and party crazed, but I am looking so forward to seeing her. The last time she saw me, I was only the cringing age of thirteen. I am now sixteen, and I am most definitely ready to let loose.

"Thank you so much," I said to the attendant. Her petroleum jelly smile refused to sink.

Here goes nothing.

-

I swing my drowsy eyes around the cluttered airport. I already received all of my luggage, but I don't spy Marissa anywhere. That is supremely unusual. Out of the few years I've known her, she's not one to be late.

I snatch my blue cased phone out of my sweatshirt pocket and dial her number.

"Marissa?" I ponder.

"Kathryn! Hi!" she perkily greets. I laugh uneasily and hug my twisted body.

"Did Dad tell you anything about picking me up at the airport?" I wonder aloud, a bit annoyed. A staggered gasp sounded through the receiver.

"What?! I wasn't told any of this." A loud clank echoed. I sighed in immediate frustration.

"How the heck am I supposed to get to Dad's?" I asked in terror and sheer panic. I could hear Marissa choking on words to say.

"I'm not even out near you!" she countered. I threw my hands up, even though she can't even see me.

"Marissa!" I complained loudly, accepting consecutive glares from bystanders. She let out a long and rough breath.

"I don't know what to do, sweetheart!" replied my stepmother. 

"Can't you send someone or something?" I complained drearily. Not only was I extremely queasy from the flight, but I am fed up. I cannot believe I am left at the airport to my own devices.

"I'll let your father know. He should be leaving the office soon. He's not even ten minutes away from you. Hang in there," Marissa compromises. I release a groan and stomp my thumb on the end button.

To occupy myself, I wander around the touristy gift shops. I also think about my dad.

I haven't seen him in a year, and I'm a bit uneasy yet ecstatic about that. I wonder what he'll say to me this time. I wonder if he'll tell me I've grown like corn at its full potential. I wonder if he'll ask if he needs to get his shotgun out for a boy that has broken my heart. I wonder if he won't say anything at all.

I find myself barely walking into what seems like a minuscule bookstore. Magazines and small picture books litter the area. And of course, an airport gift shop is not complete without trinkets and sweatshirts with the city's name plastered all over them.

I graze my nimble fingers over an issue of Seventeen. I'm itching for something to keep me busy, so I snatch the magazine along with a pack of gum and pay for both. 

Several long minutes have passed and my father decides to message me.

 Surprise!

I smile lightly with a benevolent confusion painted on my cheeks. Swiftly, I spin around.

"Dad!" I scream loud enough for Beijing to hear. I don't hesitate running into his arms. I've missed him so much.

He sighs and releases from the hug.

"Hello, to you, too, Katy," he says sarcastically. I giggle. "Let's get you home."

I nodded happily because I have never felt more at home than I do now.