Chapter 2

The morning of December 23, 1992 was a blur. Mom shouted "Gerald! Kim! Melanie! Time to get up! We don't want to be late!" My siblings and I stumbled out of our rooms sleepily like zombies yawning and quickly I beat Kim to the bathroom. Then we ran around the house eating breakfast and getting ready. Finally, we were fully dressed. "The van is here!" Gerald called. "All right everybody file out" said Dad. After loading our suitcases in, we piled in.

As Mom handed our plane tickets to us, Kim asked "Are we going to fly first class or in coach?" "Your father and I will be in first class, you'll be in coach with Melanie and Gerald" Mom replied. She turned to me. "To make sure we don't lose you, your father and I will hold your hand." "What?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Mom, I'm eleven years old I'm not a baby anymore. What if my friends see me? I'd die of embarrassment" I objected. "Mel, I doubt your friends will see you at the airport" said Mom. "Your little motley crew will see Mommy and Daddy holding your hand" Kim taunted in a high-pitched baby voice. "Shut up Kim!" I snapped. Kim can be snarky sometimes. "Knock it off you two" Mom commanded. The van pulled out of the driveway.

When we arrived at the airport, I turned my Walkman off and stuffed it inside my Louis Vuitton backpack along with my white sailor hat. After we checked our bags in, Mom grabbed my right hand and Dad grabbed my left hand. "Come on Melanie" said Dad. And we broke into a run. We were running so fast, my feet dragged along the floor. "Mom, Dad will you please slow down already?" I pleaded. "Sorry Mel, but we're not going to miss that plane!" Mom responded. When we arrived at the gate, the flight attendant said that we just made it. We cheered and ran inside. Mom and Dad let go of my hands. Finally! "Melanie, you're in coach with Gerald and Kim. We'll be in first class" said Mom. "All right" I replied and followed my siblings. We claimed our seats. I took a seat by the window while Kim and Gerald sat somewhere up front. I took my Walkman out of my backpack and put the headphones on as the plane took off.

When my siblings and I arrived in New York, Mom and Dad were waiting for us at the gate. "How was the flight?" asked Dad. "It was great! I don't feel so jet-lag" I replied. Gerald laughed. We went over to the baggage claim to retrieve our bags.

As I reached for my Louis Vuitton suitcase, something caught my eye. A familiar blonde-haired boy was standing at the counter talking to a ticket agent. Could it be? "Kevin McCallister, is that you?" I called. The boy turned around. It was Kevin! "Melanie?" he asked. We ran to one another and gave each other a bear hug. "I can't believe you're here!" Kevin said excitedly. "I can't believe you're here too! What brings you to the Big Apple? Are you here with your family?" I asked. "It's a long story. Where are your parents and siblings?" Kevin replied. "They're at the baggage claim. Come on" I lead Kevin to my parents, brother, and sister.

"Mom, Dad look who's here!" I said. "Kevin! I didn't know you'd be here" said Dad. "Where are Peter and Kate? Are they here with you?" Mom asked. "I'll explain it on the way out" Kevin replied.