Chapter 2
When we arrived at Dr. Martinez's house, it was nearly sunset. I motioned the rest of the flock to land and instructed Iggy on the angle. Through the windows, I could see my mom standing in the warm glow of the kitchen. She bent over and pulled something out of the oven. As she stood up, with a tray full of cookies, she looked out the window and saw me and the flock. She carefully set the cookies on the counter to cool and ran out to see me and the flock.
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion, like you see on movies or on that T.V. show, Baywatch. Before I knew it, my mom had her arms around me and the rest of the flock had gathered around into sort of an awkward group hug. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ella run out the front door trying to put on her jacket as she ran. She eventually gave up and threw it on the ground.
Dr. Martinez let go in time for Ella to crash into me, making me lose my balance for a split second before I regained it.
"Max! Max! I missed you so much!" she wailed into my sleeve. "I have so much to tell you! I--" She looked at Dr. Martinez, who was studying her with interest. "I'll tell you later. Come on, I'll show you to your rooms."
Ella grabbed my hand and yanked my wrist as she pulled me to the front door. I reached out and grabbed Iggy's hand, motioning for the rest of the flock to come, as I stumbled along after Ella.