Chapter 4:

Arriving in America

The next several months proved quite to be a transition period. From paying the remains of our utility bills to packing up every important belonging, our anticipated flight to the United States looms right around the corner. Every piece of furniture in our living room would be removed, as did every collection of family portraits that previously hung on the living room walls. Witnessing the deconstruction of those displays not only had a profound impact on the house in itself. But rather they represented a piece of my life that will cease to be a cherished memory. It's difficult to believe how fast time flew before I realize how much I will miss the place I called home.

Eventually came the eve of our overseas departure. I lied silently on my pink sleeping bag tucked in with the comfort of my teal blue blanket. My eyes remained open as I stared at the glow in the dark constellations scattered across the ceiling. I pondered what the future would be like living someplace far from here. What is the stark contrast between life in Australia and America? I could read all the books that I checked out at my local library. Even with a basic insight, how would life be like actually being in a country or a place I've never been to?

Then morning came. After counting down the days, weeks, and months marked on our calendar, this was it. As soon as I got dressed, we were having breakfast for the last time in this very kitchen. I had some scrambled eggs sprinkled in with some black pepper on top, including a glass cup of milk in hand. While continuing to eat, my eyes couldn't resist from the lack of inventory previously displayed around the kitchen interior.

"Katherine, our cab will be arriving shortly. Have you gotten everything packed?" My father approached from down the staircase he came.

"I've got my suitcase next to the main door," I told him. "I can't believe this is finally it. Looking around the house is just empty spaces and sounding echoes. I know it sounds silly saying it but the more I realize I'm going to miss this place."

While engaging in the conversation, my father poured some milk into a glass cup of his own. He sat beside the chair facing towards me.

"I'll have to admit that this move isn't easy either," he said.

"I don't understand. You seemed content when you decided to go forth with the offer." I responded leaving myself confused in regards to what message he intended on conveying.

"I've kept my word," he clarified. "Up until this point, you and I spent our lives in this place. It was here that your mother and I gave birth to you right at this very house. I remember the smile on her face when she looked at you the first time. It was that relief from all the time she spent in labor making sure you were able to get a glimpse of life. The joy that sparkled on your mother's face brought a sense of gratitude for the both of us. Looking back, we were so thankful to give birth to a very special person."

I put aside the glass of milk that was in my grasp right onto the table.

"When she left, I really didn't want to see her go," I said. "Even though I'll miss this place, at least we get to see Mom again."

Dad smiled. "I feel the same way dear. With the way my stage career coincides with your mother's latest job, it looks like we'll be seeing each other a little more often," he said. My father turned his attention towards the breakfast dishes that remained on our table.

"It looks to me there's one bread of buttery toast on the plate. I thought you could have the last one just to maintain your nutrition," he insisted. As much as I appreciate his courtesy, I shook my head.

"Thanks Dad but my stomach is already full enough as it is. By the time we're in the plane, we won't be eating for awhile." Initially, I vetoed the offer. Despite my initial response, the puppy dog eyes that brought my attention had me consider otherwise.

"Well, I guess a single bite wouldn't hurt," I submitted. As I grabbed a toast of bread from the plate, we overheard a honking from a vehicle parked along the side of our residence. Dad and I took a glimpse at the window watching the cab driver exit from his cab. By the time he stepped foot on our front porch, he signaled the sounding of a doorbell that echoed the interior of our house.

"I'll get it sweetie." Dad opened the door for the cab driver to respond with a greeting.

"Good morning. I'll be ready to lend a helping hand on the load of suitcases you may have," he insisted.

"You're in luck because our suitcases are right besides where we are standing," my father replied in a formal manner.

"Very well then…" Together they grabbed the handle of our suitcases while wheeling them to the trunk of the cab. I consumed the remaining toast followed up by a sip of the milk I had poured prior.

We were just mere moments away from stepping out the door for the final time. I took this last chance to tour around the house including the living room, basement, and bedroom floors. As much as I looked forward to my experience in a country overseas, I am going to miss a place I cannot deny to call home.

"Katherine!" While overhearing the voice of my father, I continued to stare blankly at the shallow architecture in an empty room.

"Our plane should be arriving in less than an hour. We don't want to be late," he shouted from a distance.

"I'll be right there Dad," I replied. The time to reminisce would soon reach its inevitable conclusion. Not just the house alone but also at the expense of departing from my home country located at the bottom border of the Earth. Where there is an ending marks a new chapter or phase in my life. No matter where it takes me, I have no doubt there will be surprises in store for me.

After months of preparation, we arrived at the airport with our flight tickets indicating our intended destination. My father and I were ready to embark on a course for a new land - a land in which the United States is known for the land of the free, and the home of the brave. I spent some time in the library looking up encyclopedias and magazines pertaining to California. Just learning about the population and origins behind the Golden State really captivated me. Speaking of captivate, this particular magazine I read was how I managed to discover a group of multi colored super heroes reside there. The Power Rangers served to defend their home turf thwarting off a grueling faction led by Lord Zedd and Rita. No one knows who the identities are behind the suits. But why should it matter? The Power Rangers spend 365 days in a year ensuring civilian safety from harm's way.

I spent countless hours on the plane reading on the upbringings of American society. Whether it'd be ranging from the Pilgrims' arrival to a civil war between the Confederates and the Union, the country had gone through so much overtime. In terms of the overall gist when it came to the inner turmoil that America endured, it's fascinating in hindsight to know at the end of the day, the United States still exist, and are as united as one as they have been since.

The non-stop flight between Australia and the United States took a matter of nearly 20 hours. Being a passenger inside an airplane, I found it was quite difficult to adapt. Sitting endlessly on a passenger's seat has my body remains paralyzed. A feeling of lethargy couldn't make me feel any more motivated. Sure there was a restroom available and all. For the most part, I couldn't do anything but stare at the clouds below.

I turned on the video monitor to look up some local news. Some footage involved the Power Rangers once again protecting Angel Grove from the ever powerful monster known to breed hate, also known as the Hate Master. A tabloid reporter was seen recording footage of dissension within the Power Rangers. However, reports were later nullified as the rangers would go on to deny such a clam. The psychological effects from the Hate Master's spell spewed a lot of negative publicity of in the town. Thankfully, despite the odds, they put an end to the creature and thus destroying the spell that triggered their emotions.

By the time dusk turned to dawn, we made our descent at the Angel Grove International Airport. After spending a long period of time in the plane, we were informed in the intercom of our arrival in the Golden State of California, one of the fifty states located at the pacific coast of North America. I stretched out my arms and legs having spent most of my time sitting in the plane. As we stepped foot into American soil, my eyes were struck with fascination. Staring through the glass stained window, it was that moment for the first time and in person that I'm in a different country. I couldn't believe it myself. To witness a plethora of city buildings across from us had me fascinated with the potential.

I helped out my father to unload a supply of other suitcases from the conveyor belt. We checked our tag numbers to ensure these suitcases belonged to us. As we stored a ton of wardrobe in them, this required a matter of our teamwork to wheel them out. I'm not one to complain but the amount of physical labor took a bit of a toll on our bodies. In the midst of what transpired, my eyes turned away from all the work in front of me. I saw a young but tall handsome man dressed in blue jeans and a white flannel vest greeted a visiting relative of his. The strands of his long brown hair caught my attention as if a hypnotist caught me in their trance. The spark that ignited the brick wood in my eyes triggered an ever glowing flame.

"Katherine..."

The voice coming from my father's mouth drowned out from my ears. I remained speechless continuing to be mesmerized by the looks of the man standing across from me. Nothing could describe a man crush coming from your girl next door.

"Kat!" With the snap of a finger, it was that moment Dad drove me back to reality.

"I suppose you don't want your luggage to be at risk of being stolen," he reminded me. I startled immediately as he called out my name, turning my focus back to my father.

"Sorry Dad, I thought I was seeing things." I told him. A clumsy response indeed but I didn't want that to take away the thrill of being in a new country.

As we prepared to wheel them out into the security terminal, it was that moment a familiar face lurked just straight ahead. My heart pounded the instant I glanced at her presence.

"Mom," I mumbled with joy. As she wove her hand for us to notice, my heart pounded with overwhelming joy running through my veins.

"Over here." Dad responded to the gesture waving out a hand of his own. We approached towards one another leaving our suitcases aside to have ourselves a family reunion.

"It's good to see you." I endured the heartfelt embrace of my mother's arms around me. For awhile now, I haven't felt the warmth of positive energy that enveloped around me.

"How have you been mother? We really missed you when we last met." My eyes sparkled with a glaring hope. Much like my father's situation, she moved to the United States attending UCLA to pursue an interest as a news reporter. Throughout the course of our isolation, we spent writing each other postcards and letters giving each other an update on our daily lives.

"You've grown up quite a bit from the last time I saw you," she said. "I watched the Pan Global Games coverage not too long ago. Is it true you decided to give up on gymnastics?"

I bit my lip as I watched the facial curiosity lurking from my mother's face.

"It's true Mom. I just thought it would be for the best if I try and expand on other career opportunities in the field. Kind of like what you're doing to some extent," I said.

"You still have plenty of time to consider what you plan on doing in your future," she replied. "But you shouldn't just stick to one career though. What if it doesn't work out?"

I took into account based on behalf of my mother's comment. Clearly, I'm still a teenager attending grade school like every person around my age. I spent much of my time of the remaining summer looking up at a catalog of what careers interest me. However, the more I realized I may be jumping the gun way too soon.

"I'm sure I'll come up with something. Who knows maybe I could be like you two and start a career in show business," I replied. Seeing my parents together again is as if all the pieces to the puzzle had been assembled. Think of it as a combined family portrait with all three of us standing side by side.

"It's good seeing you again honey," Dad greeted her. "Would you guys be interested in getting a hot cocoa latte? We could sure use a sip to keep us awake."

As I let out an immediate yawn, a clear indication sparked upon the expression of my father's face.

"Right now it would be the perfect time to have some," I concluded.

"Thanks, but I actually had some coffee before I got here," Mom answered. "How about you two go ahead and grab something for breakfast? I'll hang around by the bookstore to see if I can spot some interesting novels."

I nodded my head while letting out a cheerful smile.

"It sounds like a deal. Are you sure you don't want anything from Starbucks?" I asked her once again.

"No thank you sweetie," she concluded. Dad and I prepared to head over to the coffee chained restaurant not too distant from where we had been standing.

"We'll be back before you know it," I told her. We continued to carry our social gathering as we approached a local Starbucks chain. The lines were packed with customers standing one in front of another. This was expected for a typical time of the day. Like many, I waited anxiously to get to one of the employees that would take my order. When we paid for our coffee, we met back with Mom upon setting our eyes to the airport terminal. We continued our conversation doing somewhat of a catching up on key events that have happened. When I last saw my mother leave Australia, I felt a piece of my heart taken away from me. The warmth of her smile kept a sense of optimism even at times when I felt the lowest of lows. Thankfully, Mom would be there to provide me with a sense of comfort that negated the insecurity that tends to plague my emotions.

We stepped on outside of the terminal embracing some fresh air my father and I haven't felt since we were back home. We walked pass a number of travelers that stood along the sidelines upon waiting for their ride. My mother directed us to her blue Honda Civic car just parked along the visitors' parking lot. By the time we passed the toll booth on out of the airport, our exploration of one of the largest states in the country had just begun.