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Chapter 30
~ the next morning
At 8:30am we left the guys' house for the airport. My plane was leaving at
10:00am. As we got out of the car (we had all come in one) at the airport
I felt the waves of sadness wash over me. Without being seen I left a package
on the backseat of the car.
In the airport we had breakfast and then we went to the gate. As the first
people were called, I began saying my good-byes. I started with Kevin. He
bent down to hug me and I whispered, "Take care of them for me."
Kev nodded. "I will. Take care of yourself, kid."
He smiled sadly.
Next I moved to Howie. "Love ya, munchkin," he whispered as we embraced.
"Take care."
"I'll miss you!" I whispered back.
Nick was next. He picked me up and swung me around.
"Will you miss me?" he questioned.
"Of course!" I answered, hugging him.
"Can we make another date for cookies and milk?"
"Anytime," I said smiling.
Now it was AJ's turn. We just embraced and said nothing. It was enough. I
looked into his eyes and saw that same expression I had seen a few days ago.
I looked away before he could read my eyes, though. I wasn't ready for him
to know yet.
We broke apart and I moved towards Brian. We also embraced, saying nothing
aloud. He knew how I felt and I knew how he felt. We had a lasting bond that
nothing would break.
As they called the next group of passengers onto the plane, I broke my embrace
with Brian and hugged Stacie. "I'll miss you Little Big Sister!" she said
getting misty eyed.
Last I embraced Deb and once again things were silent as we read each other's
thoughts. The last boarding call interrupted. I stood back and looked at
the whole group.
"Well, this is it," I said. "Keep me posted on the tour. I'll miss you all!"
I turned and walked down the boarding ramp.
Once in my seat I looked out the window to see them all waving at me from
the airport. I smiled as I realized they were my second family. We had all
become so close over the course of the last month that we might as well have
been family. I waved back and continued waving until I could no longer see
the airport below me.
As I stared at the clouds out the window, the river of sadness in my heart
overflowed. Two tears silently and slowly slid down my cheeks.
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