Prologue – absence makes the heart grow fonder
Leslie absently sang along with the song on the radio trying to stay the growing boredom. "One bourbon, one scotch, one beer. Well, I ain't seen my baby nigh on a week….Damn it, turn!" Traffic at the airport was horrendous and Leslie was getting more than a little impatient. Today her sister, Regina, was flying into Philadelphia international airport. There would be a brief week of visiting with friends and family before they were of to Europe.
Leslie received a scholarship from Oxford and would be attending in the fall semester, before then they were to explore all of the British Isles. They planned on spending a few weeks in a castle as well as visiting places like Hadrian's Wall. Just some sister time before their lives got too hectic. This would be their first time in Europe and excited didn't cover it.
As Leslie pulled up to the gate for arriving flights she clicked of the George Thoroughgood song, unlocked the doors and slowed down to try and catch a glimpse of her sister. At first she was going to drive around again not spotting her then she heard a very distinct voice.
"Lovely, you don't even recognize your sister…" There stood Regina with the same attitude as ever. She was very tiny no more than 5' tall but carried herself in such a way that she often seemed much taller. Her sister had short layered honey colored hair with highlights that got lighter and lighter until they were white. With a hand on her hip and luggage at her feet she smirked at her sister. "You'd think we were strangers."
"Har Har Har, smart ass. Get your luggage and get in." Leslie jumped out of the car to help her put the luggage in the trunk. When she came around the car Regina embraced her and laughed.
"You know Les if you don't stop growing everyone will think I'm your little sister…"
"Jean they already do." Leslie stood at about 5'6", slender with a tiny waist and long blonde hair that fell to almost her waist. She possessed the type of beauty that made both men and women look twice; yet she never seemed to notice. Her brothers called girls that kind of beauty, "traffic jam pretty." Meaning that even in sweat clothes she could stop traffic.
The whole way home they enjoyed each others company and sang along to a few older mix tapes. These next few weeks they were going to have a lot of fun. While growing up, they rarely got along well but after Regina went to college and they were not in the same household they became very close. They were very different in many ways. Leslie tended to be more introverted upon first meetings or with large groups of people but she was easy going and had a sunny personality. People tended to trust her instinctually. Regina was much more assertive, she made friends easily even though she tended to be sarcastic; those close to her knew the prickly exterior was a way to protect her chewy center, like a hard candy shell or for a better metaphor a chocolate covered pretzel. Sweet with a bit of sour…
Look out world the Murphy sisters are reunited!