Someday

PART I

The pants can't help me with this one. Even if we still had them, I'd be forced to do this on my own or forever wonder if it was my courage or the pants' magic that brought me to this time, place, and conclusion. Carmen likes to pretend the pants just moved on to help out some other group of girls, but I think the sea swallowed them up for good. Either way, they served us well and now we have to serve ourselves. We can't hide behind denim, zippers, and buttons forever. That's what the pants taught us. We're strong enough to stand alone.

"No, Mom, I'll be fine," I say into the cell phone as it rings for what seems the thousandth time with more last minute worrying from Mom. "No, I didn't pack sweaters. It's only ten days. It's the middle of July. London's gotta be as warm as it is here." I listen as she rattles on about watching the news and the El Nino Affect and how it's supposed to rain in England all the time like in Seattle. "Mom, really, I'll be fine. Yes. Thanks for your concern. I'll be okay. If not, I can buy sweaters. Yes. I brought a jacket. I love you too. Okay. Bye." One thing about being away at college is that it has taught me to be very self reliant. At times it seems almost a bother to deal with 'family things.'

I've packed light. Mostly sun dresses, skirts, shorts, and some jeans for this Art Excursion through London. The most important (and bulky) things are my art supplies. We're supposed to roam around London and paint, draw, sketch to our heart's content. Not a bad way to earn summer credit. We're not even on a rigorous schedule or required to stay in packs which I like. I've become a loner. I suppose I always have been one.

My cell phone goes off. This time it's Tibby.

"Good. It's you," I say after hitting the green talk button. "I thought it might be Effie calling to remind me of something for Mom who didn't want to seem like she's smothering by calling herself."

I can almost feel Tibby bristle at the mention of my sister. She still hasn't quite forgiven her for the brief foray into Dating Brian even though it's been a full year.

"Um, yeah, so I was elected to call with the big send off," Tib says. "Carma and Bee with their busy, busy lives have no time to pick up the phone so the duty falls to me." She laughs and I imagine her running a hand through her newly dyed green and purple hair. Not that green and purple really go together but they're Brian's favorite colors so she did it in honor of their recent anniversary.

"Thanks," I say. "I'll miss you guys."

"We'll have our annual ritual when you get back," Tib says. "I've threatened Carma and Bee with bodily harm if they skip out."

"At least it's one tradition we can keep alive," I say, looking up when I hear the stewardess call my row for boarding. "Hey, Tib, I'm so sorry but I have to go. I promise to find a cyber cafe to email you from. Good luck on your film project."

"Do you think you'll look up Kostos?" she asks suddenly, as if the other girls put her up to it because Tibby is not the sort to ask something like that.

Yes my mind says, but my mouth answers "Maybe."