America stood in the middle of the airport's runway, looking up and scanning the sky. Amelia, Abraham, and Andy noticed him and walked up. America turned his head away from the sky to see his family. He smiled.
"Wondering where I was, huh? Same place every day."
"Dad, you know Mom's not coming back, right?" Abraham said, crossing his arms. Amelia glared at him.
"Abraham!"
"Well, it's true."
"Yeah, I know, but," America looked back up at the sky, "I guess I come here everyday because I'm hoping to catch a glance of her. Still holding on to hope."
Amelia didn't know what to say. She was only an infant when her mother, Amelia Earhart, left for Africa. But no one knows if she did land somewhere in Africa, because she mysteriously disappeared. No one's heard from here since. Of course, it was at least one hundred years ago, so she was probably dead. Still, she was her father's heroine and that's why he's never given up on looking for her. All they had to remember her by was the jacket America wore.
"Well, it's late anyway," America said with a sigh, "Come on, let's go home." He picked up Andy and put an arm around Amelia and Abraham's shoulders.
As they approached the family car, Abraham took Andy and gave him a piggy-back ride for the rest of the way.
"Dad? Do you think Mom made it to Africa?" Amelia asked him.
"I'm sure she did," America nodded, then he smiled sadly, "She just forgot to call." Amelia hug him. She didn't want to cry.
"I wish I knew her."
"You did once, you've just forgotten," America smiled as he gave her a squeeze. As they piled into the car, America sighed heavily and turned the ignition.
"So...who wants pizza?!" he blurted out. Abraham and Andy cheered with glee, but Amelia didn't appear to be listening. She was staring out the widow, knowing that her father was only trying to 'lighten the mood'. She too was watching the skies and hoping to see her mother. But it was a lonely, still, twilight kind of sky.
Amelia stared up at the ceiling from her pillow that night, thinking. If only they could she Amelia Airhart again. She heard the door creak opened and Hero's golden nose stuck through. He whimpered and gave her a doggie-smile. Amelia couldn't resit his face and chuckled.
"Hey, boy. Come here," she said, sitting up. Hero walked his tail as he run up and climbed into her bed. He rested his head on her chest and continued waging his furry tail. She scratched the back of his head.
"Couldn't stay with Andy, huh? He's going to be upset if you're not beside him in the morning. Wanted to stay with your second favorite pal, huh?" She gave him a hug.
"I know you love me, boy. I love you too. But you know it's Andy's turn to have you tonight." Hero licked her face, which Amelia forced herself not to giggle. He was a true friend. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.