"You're fathers going to kill me…….." Lily repeated once she and Grace were inside the massive airport.
Grace ignored her mother's comment; as she scanned the crowds, and fixed her eyes on the check in counters.
Without saying a word she ran towards them, her mother following clumsily behind.
The line for economy passengers was very long; at least 30 people waiting with large suitcases by their feet- mostly families and couples.
Luckily Grace had a business class ticket; she approached a different queue, with only 10 people ahead of her; all of whom wore classy suits and only had carry on luggage with them.
Lily came running up to Grace and stood by her side, panting slightly; "Now Grace- you MUST call me the minute you land……..and when you get to wherever you're staying…….." Lily began, looking down at her daughter; trying hard to fight her tears and doubts.
Grace turned and looked up at her mother; her own face a little flustered and her breathes also quick and heavy; "I know mum," she said quietly.
"GRACE!" Lily said suddenly, looking down at Grace- "a passport- -" she said anxiously.
Grace flipped her satchel bag off her shoulder, and dug around for a moment, whipping out a little black book.
Lily looked at her curiously, and raised an eyebrow- "-the thought of New York crossed my mind last night………I just wanted to be safe" Grace explained.
Lily took a long drag of breath; and merely nodded her head; if she opened her mouth again she'd only start blubbering like an idiot………
LILY or a mother who's letting her daughter leave her……….
"Hello, how may I help you?" a bright, 20 something woman with a pound of makeup on and hair in a tight bun asked Grace.
She approached the desk, her mother by her side; and placed the ticket on the ladies counter, her hand shaking slightly.
"Grace Manning?" the lady inquired, and Grace, still sucking in air hurriedly after her little jog from the shuttle bus into the airport, merely nodded "passport?" the lady asked, and Grace placed it on the desk.
GRACE this is really happening……what about clothes?………what if he doesn't want me to come now………what if he took an earlier flight?
The lady tapped loudly on the keyboard in front of her; and scanned the computer screen.
"No luggage?" she asked, looking at Grace now, and then at Lily- thinking they both looked a little flustered and wide-eyed.
Grace shook her head, and turned slightly, to show the lady her satchel bag, which was draped over her shoulder.
"Carry on luggage" the lady, said, more to herself, and she continued to tap away.
Grace tapped her hand against her leg impatiently; and then glanced down at her watch- 9:45
"Excuse me- my plane leaves in 15 minutes………" Grace began.
"Oh, of course-" the lady said, sitting up straight "Gate 6……" she said, handing Grace her passport back and the ticket.
"Thankyou" Grace said, and pulled on her mother's arm to follow her.
"Flight 346 for New York is now boarding"
Eli lifted his headphones from his ears as he saw Rick and Karen stand up, "time to go?" he asked, and Rick nodded.
"Alright" Eli said, stuffing his Discman and headphones into his backpack.
"Make sure you don't have that on when you're in the air!" Karen warned, as she pulled Eli in for a long hug.
"Yeah- you can steer the plane with one of those things!" Rick added, trying to laugh off his tears.
Eli struggled out of his mother's crushing hug; and she began to blubber, crying into the sleeve of her jumper.
Eli sighed and shook his head- as he leaned over and planted a kiss on her cheek "love you mum" he whispered.
Karen stepped back, allowing Jessie to say goodbye.
Eli looked down at her; she was trying hard to fight back the tears that were building up; he could tell by her glazed over blue eyes.
"So, this is it" she said, shrugging slightly; she sucked in some air, tyring to control her voice.
Eli nodded slightly "don't act like you're not glad to be rid of me" he said in a small voice- tyring to lighten her attitude.
Jessie looked up at him, a tear escaping down her cheek- Eli sighed and bent down so they were level, wrapping his large arms around her small frame.
"Hey- what's all this?" he asked, as Jessie began weeping.
She buried her head into his shoulder, but managed to whisper a few words; "your gonna come back, right?" she asked in a small voice.
Eli pulled away so he could stare into her face; "no question about it" he replied, flashing her a grin.
Jessie playfully punched him in the arm, and swiped at her eyes; "good- cause I want presents when you get back!" she said sweetly.
Eli sighed and nodded- exhausted.
People began bustling past them- to join the fairly long queue that was forming by the gate.
Rick looked down at his feet- not sure what to say.
RICK I've never been so proud and so upset all at the same time……..
"Dad" Eli said huskily, stepping forward towards his father.
"Err……" Rick tried to say something, but tears were choking him up- so he let actions speak louder than words; he stepped forward, and without warning wrapped his huge arms around his son, holding him for a long time.
Eli felt tears begin to break free; "I love you" Rick whispered in his ear, right before breaking their hug.
Eli nodded; knowing that if he spoke his tone would be shaky and perhaps incoherent.
Rick slapped a hand on his shoulder and nodded; trying to fight back the fresh tears.
Eli took a few steps towards the queue………but turned around to take one last look at his family……….."See you in 3 months" he said, simply.
"Call us before then though!" Karen said sternly- and started to cry again.
Jessie gave a small wave, and then wrapped her arms around her mother's waist; fighting back the tears.
Rick waved as his son turned and joined the line………….
RICK this is the moment when everything falls into place………
ELI still, there's one thing missing………
