The San Francisco International Airport was busy and bustling. Sun streamed in through the windows as people moved through it. Some came with huge smiles, greeting friends and family with hugs and promises to share stories of their trips. Others were gathered, tearfully exchanging promises to call and write, to be safe on their flight to other countries, other cities. One such group was huddled by the terminal.
Michael cast a pleading look at his mother and younger brother, who caught the message and turned to give the couple a moment. Sam looked back at the pair, who had already begun to comfort themselves in each other's arms.
Star looked up into Michael's eyes, all traces of the evils once plaguing them both gone. The earring in his ear, a crystal, matched the pair in her own ears. She clung to him tightly, her voice muffled in his shirt. "Why do you have to go?"
Michael hugged her, a warm presence she wished she didn't have to loose. "It's only a few months," he said, trying to soothe her. It wasn't working, only making them both feel the loss of one another more keenly. "It's a really good university, I can fly back at anytime and we can talk and send letters. I'll be back in December."
"But you'll be away on the other side of the country for three months. That's twelve weeks." Star mumbled. Her mane of brown hair was all Michael could see of her, burying her face in his chest." What will I do for that time?"
Michael took her face in his hands, cupping the tear-stricken head. "You'll help Mom out, be a friend to Sam, and enjoy life." The tears didn't stop streaming down her cheeks. He wiped them away with his thumbs and kissed her softly on the lips. "Promise me you'll be a trooper, Okay?"
Star sniffled and used a tissue in her pocket to wipe another couple tears off. "I'll be your waiting trooper." Her hands found Michael's wrists, gripping them tightly like she never wanted to let go. "And you promise you'll be back at Christmas and all the holidays?"
Michael nodded, before withdrawing regretfully and picking up his suitcase. "I promise."
"Good."
Star's crying slowed. Michael looked over to where his mother and Sam were looking away dutifully, before Lucy turned and rejoined them. She patted Star's shoulder, her maternal instincts telling her that the young woman needed it. "You ready to go?" she asked Michael. His response was interrupted by his boarding call for New York.
"Yeah. I'll have to go now. I love you mom."
"Love you too honey."
Star broke down again and crumbled into Michael, throwing her arms around him. "Please, don't go! I don't want you to go!"
People looked over at the shrieking girl, at the young man wrapping his arms around her waist and whispering softly to her. It seemed to work, as her cries dimmed, until finally she dropped her grip and stepped back from him. He gave her a long, last kiss before turning. He gave the group he was with a regretful look, before walking into the terminal. The girl was crying again, the tears streaming down her face as she sniffled.
A short while later, her shrieks grew again as his plane lifted into the sky.