Disclaimer: I do not own these characters
Setting: Glenoak, California
Chapter 5: Arrival
Lu glanced around nervously as she followed her son into the Glenoak airport. It was a Friday afternoon and the airport was full of weekend travelers.
"Who's picking us up?" Marc asked his mother.
"Dr. Hastings. Dr. Jackson told me that Dr. Hastings will meet us at the baggage claim. Wherever that is." Marc glanced around, then pointed at a sign a short distance away.
"Down that way." As Lu followed her son towards the baggage claim, she found herself wondering if she were really doing the right thing by coming to Glenoak for two months. Was it really fair to take her son away from his father and his friends?
"Marc, it's not to late to change our minds. We can turn around right now and take the first plane back to Philadelphia."
"Come on, Mom. You know we can't back out now." Marc said, sensing his mother's nervousness. "Everything is going to be fine. You'll see." By now they had reached the baggage claim. Lu looked around, having no idea who she was looking for.
"Excuse me, ma'am." Lu turned to see a tall, blond man standing behind her.
"You look a little lost. You wouldn't by any chance be Dr. Delgado, would you?" The man asked.
"Uhhh...yeah, I am. Are you Dr. Hastings?"
"That's me. And this must be your son." Dr. Hastings turned to Marc.
"I'm Marc." Hank Hastings held out his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Marc. Dr. Delgado, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you coming to help us out like this."
"Please, call me Lu." Hank nodded.
"Okay, Lu. Let me fill you in on where you'll be staying for the next couple of months. You'll be staying with my brother-in-law and his family. He's the minister at the Glenoak Community Church. His wife's name is Annie. They have 7 children, the youngest being 2 year old twins. We've leased a car for you to use while you are here."
"Thank you. I have a pretty old car, and there was no way it would withstand a trip like this." Hank smiled.
"That's what Bob Jackson said. So we decided to have you fly out here, and we would see to it that you have your own vehicle. Do you have any questions?"
"We're staying with a minister?" Lu questioned. Hank nodded again.
"Is that a problem?" Lu shook her head.
"No, not really. It's just that...well, I haven't been to church in many years. Do you think they will mind having a non church goer in their home for two months?"
"Eric and Annie are down to earth people. They don't condemn a person because they don't go to church. They are always willing to go an extra mile to help someone, regardless of the circumstances. I think you'll like them."
"But the question is, will they like me?" Lu said under her breath as she and her son followed Dr. Hastings out of the terminal.