Thanks for all the reviews and encouragement. It's short, butI hope you all enjoy.
The airport in San Francisco was crowded. But what would one expect only a week from Thanksgiving. 'Dang, everyone and their mama at the airport today.' thought Raven, trying to spot her family in the crowd. She can't remember if she told them the right time to pick her up. Suddenly there's her brother in front of her.
"Boy, where'd you come from?"
Cory just smiles at her and asks, "Hey Ray, how was the flight?"
"The flight was cool, just a little rocky here and there."
His smile fades when he sees all the luggage Raven brought with her. Raven catches the whole thing and laughs.
"You know I can't be looking shabby while I'm here, Cory. I hope you brought your truck?" Cory nods his head. Raven looks behind him. "Where's Mom and Dad?"
"You know they're old and move slow."
Just when Cory says this his Mother is beside him, slapping him on the head playfully. "Who you calling old? I know I look good. And I'm not slow, but I can't say the same for your father though." Everyone looks around and laughs.
Raven is happy to be with her family again, including Cory. Her father soon joins them and hugs are given all around. Once the bags are loaded into Cory's truck, they are on the way home. The ride home was quiet. Everyone was thinking about their own things.
Tonya Baxter is thinking about having her daugther home for the holidays and what finally made her agree to come this year. Looking at her in the rearview mirror she knows her daughter has something on her mind.
Victor Baxter is busy going over the holiday menu. He plans to make all Raven's favorites to celebrate her being home this year.
In his truck, Cory is thinking about what Raven's bought him for Christmas this year. Since she's making the big bucks these days, he had gotten really good presents the last four years.
Raven, well Raven was thinking about the same thing she's been thinking about for the last few weeks; Chelsea.
Raven doesn't know that much about what's going on with Chelsea these days. She figures she's an art teacher, but that is the extent to her knowledge of Chelsea at this point.
'I know, I'll see what Eddie can tell me about her. He's going to be so surprised to see me' she muses.
He's a DJ at the local R&B and Hip Hop radio station. She's heard from her family that he's really popular. Raven then thinks to asks her parents what's going on with Chelsea , but decides against it. She knows it will just start a line of questioning she's not ready for. They have always wanted to know what happened between the two friends. And Raven has always changed the subject. Besides she had other things she needed to explain to her parents. Raven has decided to tell her parents she's bisexual. She is worried how they will take it. They're cool so maybe they won't react too badly. Besides they live in San Francisco, the GLBT capital of the world.
During the whole ride Raven has her face glued to the window watching the familiar sights of home. She recognizes immediately when she's in her old neighborhood. She also notices she's on Chelsea's street. Soon Chelsea's house is in view and there is a Hybrid and people out front. Raven knows right away one of those people is Chelsea.
'Oh my goodness, she's still the most beautiful person I've ever seen'
She gushes to her self. As the car moves forward Raven's eyes are glued to Chelsea. Time seems to slow as Chelsea turns toward the street, spotting the car and Raven.
Their eyes lock for what seems minutes, but are really seconds. The spell is broken when Chelsea turns her head quickly back the other way. Raven's surprised at how her body reacts to seeing Chelsea. Her heart thumps in her chest, her breathing is fast. If this is how she reacts to just glimpsing her what was it going to be like to actually speak to her.
She wonders how Chelsea feels about seeing her. Raven knows she needs time and a plan before she tries to talk to Chelsea. She knows Eddie is just the one to help her. What Raven doesn't try to think of is the tall, curly haired man that was standing next to Chelsea.