iCome Home
Ding. Ding. I heard some noises and then the pilot spoke over the intercom. "If you look out your window, you will see the skyline of Seattle right below us. Welcome to Seattle everyone. Enjoy your time here."
Just than I left Lucy shift around. She yawned just before saying, "Are we here already?"
"Yep." I answered. "We're here."
'Welcome back Sam Puckett. Home sweet home.' I thought to myself. I had to remind myself that I was here for Melanie and whether I was ready or not, I had to face everyone here. I had no other choice. I couldn't keep running away. Not anymore.
'Thank God we don't have that much luggage.' I thought to myself. I couldn't drag anymore suitcases and Ms. Fashionista Lucy over here bought more dresses than I knew she could wear in the short period of time we were here.
"Is someone going to pick us up?" I heard Lucy ask.
"Nope."
"What? Why not?" Lucy jumped.
"Because we're young, beautiful, independent girls who can do everything on their own."
Lucy groaned and rolled her eyes. "If you say so." she responded.
I grabbed the first cab I could find and jumped in. "Where to?" the cab driver asked. Lucy looked at me with a blank expression on her face.
"Bushwell Plaza." I said quietly.
I hated that I was on my way to Bushwell Plaza. I wasn't ready for this. I wasn't ready to be back in that building where I spent most of my youth. That building where I had some of my best and fondest memories. But that's where Mel had been living since after she graduated prep school. I remember during some of our earliest conversations, Melanie had told me that once she graduated and came back to Seattle, she decided to stay here and go to college here since I was gone. She didn't want to leave mom all alone but at the same time she didn't want to have to live with mom. I laughed in my head when I thought about mom. She was sort of crazy sometimes and we didn't have the best relationship but she was my mom. And every once in a while I would talk to her too if she was at Mel's place. She, like Mel, didn't know why I left or where I was and didn't ask too many questions as long as I kept in contact with her. I couldn't believe when mom told me that she was in a long term relationship with some Italian ambassador named Antonio. My mom loved them Italians. I, on the other hand, just loved Italian food. Mom had been with Antonio and my mom had been together for about four years now but he still hasn't proposed. Just two weeks ago Mel, mom and I were video chatting when Mel joked that Antonio must know that there's an expiration date on this relationship and that's why he wasn't proposing. Boy was mom mad. I've never seen her face that red before. Actually, I've never seen a tomato that red before. 'Oh Melanie.' I thought to myself. 'I really hope you're okay.'
I was lost in thought when Lucy waved her hands in front of my face and said, "Tell me!"
"Huh? What?" I asked dumbfounded.
"I've been asking you the same question for ten minutes now." she said annoyed.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I was lost in my thought. What were you asking?"
"Forget it." Lucy said with a sigh.
I looked at her and smiled then looked out the window again. Here I was, back in Seattle. Back home. I couldn't believe it but here I was. I closed my eyes and imagined seeing Freddie again. This time up close. Face to face. So much has happened over the past six years but Freddork was still hot. And Carly! Oh how much I missed Carly. At least I had seen Freddie on my computer screen earlier today but I haven't seen Carls in forever. I wondered how she must look now.
"Here we go." I heard the cab driver say. "Bushwell Plaza."
I took a deep breath and smiled. I paid the cab driver then took our luggage inside. Bushwell Plaza looked exactly the same. Inside and out. 'I guess not everything has changed.' I thought to myself.
My heart dropped to my stomach as I entered the building that was once practically my home. I entered Bushwell Plaza an saw Lewbert asleep at his desk. 'Same old Lewbert.' I thought. 'Only older and probably yuckier.'
Lucy and I got on the elevator and I we were on our way up. Thank God no one I knew was here. I could feel my heart beating like crazy as the elevator doors closed and began to go up the floors. I kept hoping that I wouldn't run into anyone. That the elevator wouldn't open to have
Melanie's apartment was just one floor beneath Carly's. I wondered if Carly and Freddie still lived here. Mel would hardly ever talk about them with me. She knew how I would get if she would bring them up.
Finally there was a ding. Seemed like that elevator ride took ages. Lucy and I got out of the elevator and turned the corner. I was hoping that Freddie wasn't in Mel's apartment. Actually, I didn't want anyone to be in Mel's apartment. I just wanted to leave my suitcases and rush over to the hospital to see Melanie.
I was finally in front of Mel's door. I started rummaging around the potted plant she had in the hall by her door. I remember her once vaguely telling me how she kept forgetting her keys so she hid one by the plant so that if she got locked out again, she would have a spare key.
It took a few minutes but I finally found the key which was taped to one of the leaves of the plant. 'Very clever Mel.' I thought as I took the key and began to unlock the door. I rushed to open the door so no one would hear me and finally once the door was open, I heard a cling as a pot fell to the floor.
I looked up to see her…