One Second Counts: Year Three – Angels in America
Sweetest Goodbyes
"Goodbye sweetheart! Don't forget to send us e-mails and call on holidays!" a woman in the airport sniffed as she held her daughter tight.
"Don't worry Mom, I'll do everything you told me," the girl replied pulling away from her crying mother. She turned to her bother, only to find a backpack staring back at her.
"Don't forget your dollie and all her junk," the boy snorted. He handed over the backpack, crossed his arms, and looked in the other direction.
"I'm gonna miss you." The girl threw her arms around her brother, who slowly returned the hug. She turned then to her father, the most silent of the group. She hugged him, and he squeezed her tight.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too," she replied.
The intercom clicked on, and a young woman's voice rang out over it. "We are now boarding Zone 3 on Flight 682 with service to Los Angeles Airport. Anyone holding a ticket with 'Zone 3' written on it should report to the desk immediately."
"That'd be me!" The girl gave everyone one last hug and kiss goodbye, picked up her bags, turned on her heel, and bounded towards the plane. Her family stood in silence as they watched her go. She handed her ticket to the attendant, and walked down the hallway to board the plane. She found her seat, put one bag in the overhead compartment and kept her backpack. She sat down in her window seat on the plane, opened her backpack, and pulled out a doll.
"You ready for America, Sakuraryu?" She smiled.
#-#-#
Across the Pacific, another girl bid farewell to her family. Her name was Eva Parker, and she was on her way to Japan.
"I'm gonna miss you Lorie," she said, hugging her stepmother. Times had been rough right after her real mother died, and she was thankful to Lorie for helping her dad get through it.
She then turned to her dad, who she knew was having one of the hardest days of his life. Eva was an only child, and her father felt like he was losing everyone he held dear.
"I'll only be gone for a year, and I promise to call at least once a month and send e-mails everyday," Eva smiled, trying to cheer her dad up. He pulled her close for a hug, and she felt tears well up in her eyes.
"I love you so much," her dad said.
"And I love you," they hugged each other, both with tears in their eyes, until the call came for Eva to board the plane.
"Bye sweetheart! We love you!" Lorie waved as Eva gave her ticket to the attendant.
"I love you too! See you next summer!" Eva called back, smiling.
Once in her seat on the plane, she pulled a small doll out of her purse. The doll wore nothing but a handkerchief. She placed the doll carefully in her lap and pulled out some fabric, a needle, and thread.
"And so our story begins," she giggled.
Ok, wow. It's been awhile, I know. I hope people still want to read this…I once had adoring fans…sigh Anyway, please R&R. I've got the next chapter already in progress. And I'm sure you can guess this is going to be following Eva as well. So don't loose faith in me!