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We’re both seated on the plane by eight a.m. three days later. I stayed at her place the last few nights after the movers took my stuff to storage. I haven’t found a new place yet, so I’m bunking with Mads until our settlement is finalized.
I’m so happy she’s been able to get time off and come with me on this trip.
She sweeps her shoulder-length curls up into a messy bun as we buckle up and she looks excitedly out of the window.
She hasn’t changed a bit over the years. The Florida climate agrees with her.
She’s still sporty and athletic, has killer legs even though she’s only five four, and gorgeous, tanned skin. Her brilliant blue eyes shine at me like a kid in a candy store.
“That’s the look of someone who hasn’t been anywhere in a million years,” I muse.
She jumps a little in her seat giddily. “I need to get out more.” She laughs.
It feels good, though, taking a trip together like this. We don’t do these kinds of things often enough. And I’m really looking forward to spending time with my parents and seeing how my dad is. I’ve been so worried about him.
We’re about to take off and I’ve already switched my phone to flight mode. Maddie rests back in her seat, and we both sigh simultaneously. This trip is what we both need.
The five hour flight goes pretty quick, we’re there in absolutely no time.
My parents are at the arrival gate to greet us.
“Honey, it’s so great to see you!” My mom is the first to wrap me into a big hug, followed by my dad.
“It’s great to see you too!” I gush.
They extend the same treatment to Maddie, giving her a big hug.
“You’re both looking well,” dad says, looking from me to Maddie.
“We try our best Mr. D,” Maddie laughs.
“Let’s get you girls settled in.” Mom claps her hands together.
Dad isn’t looking like his usual self, though. He looks tired. Wrapping his arm around me, we walk to the car and he pushes my cart.
Mom is beaming from ear to ear to have us both here at once. I always stay in my old bedroom when I’m home because they wouldn’t hear of us staying at an Airbnb or hotel. Maddison will stay in the spare room for the few days she’s in town. She’s hoping to stretch it out for a week, but being a workaholic, I’m not sure if it will happen.
It’s drizzling a little as we get everything into the car.
Whilst I do love the heat of Florida, there are times I miss the temperate Seattle climate.
Dad stops at Mojo’s on the way home, one of my favorite coffee and bagel places, and we grab a bite to eat since neither of us had time for breakfast.
“It’s so good to be home,” I say to mom and dad when we sit in a booth seat waiting for our order.
Dad wraps his arm around my shoulder and gives me a kiss on the head. “We love having you here, the both of you,” he says.
I know they missed me when I moved. I felt terrible about it all those years ago, but I couldn’t stay in Seattle… I have thought about moving back some day to be closer to mom and dad.
“How are you feeling, Dad?”
He’s been having shortness of breath lately and he’s been unusually tired. “Never better,” he tells me. Though I hardly believe it, he would say that no matter what was going on, I’m sure of it.
“We’re seeing Doctor Finlay next week,” Mom says. “Just to check everything out.”
“Sounds like a good idea.”
“Are you okay, honey, after the move?” My mom worries about me, especially with this breakup and now having to sell the house.
