Chapter 2

I checked in, excited but trying to act cool. Then I went through security, no problems other than almost falling over trying to tie my shoes again afterward. I checked my wallet to see how much money I had—stepdad had told me he would stuff some more in there for me but there was only the twelve dollars I’d had to begin with. I guess he must have forgotten. He’d told me that my dad would take care of everything like an allowance and such when I got there, and I would definitely not have to get a summer job. That was neat—and I believed every word that liar said. I have no idea what came over me. I took five dollars and bought some cookies and a soda, and then I spent six dollars more on a box of candy for my dad. I hoped he liked sweets. I picked out chocolate covered cherries since they were a local product.

I felt about six years old sitting there in the waiting room, watching everyone and the planes land and take off, waiting for my flight to be called. I especially watched the kids my age; there was one girl who was so pretty, with the traditional blond hair and blue eyes but not stuck up at all, you could tell, because she was playing with her little sister. There was one guy who caught my interest as well, but he did look stuck up. At least I’d look stuck up if I looked that hot! When those two caught sight of each other, it really got to be fun watching them. Half of me wanted to sit next to the girl and the other half wanted to sit next to the boy. I had to laugh at myself.

The guy had dark curly hair, and I was jealous; my own hair was a rusty brown—I guess you could say it had red highlights, but still—and with my hazel eyes, I ended up mostly looking just average, though I’d seen my eyes blaze like sapphires when I got really emotional.

My flight was called, and we shuffled aboard like sheep into a holding pen; I half expected to be sheared. My seat was near the back by a window that, unfortunately, looked right out into the side of an engine. I put my pack up in the overhead compartment and then helped an old lady get her carry-on up there as well. Sure enough, as soon as I sat down, she dropped into the seat beside me, overflowing both into the aisle and onto me. I barely restrained myself from groaning and rolling my eyes—and then I saw the cute guy slide into the aisle seat several rows ahead, right next to the little girl and of course beside her, was the blond older sister. It figured. I hoped she was a lesbian.

I should have hoped that lunch was free…apparently you were able to ‘buy’ food on planes nowadays and I of course, had about one dollar to my name. I should have thought I was stupid but instead I just laughed. I envisioned telling my dad—my dad—about it and how we’d laugh together. Life was good.

Just the same, six hours later I was one hungry guy getting off that plane. I got my backpack and stumbled out, watching the girl and the guy laughing together. The little sister was asleep, and the guy was carrying her, damn his handsome hide.

I like little kids—almost more than I like kids my own age—and the little girl was very cute, especially sound asleep with drool running down the guy’s expensive polo shirt. I noticed his collar was popped—Oh. My. God. She deserved him.

So I went down to baggage claim, with my stomach growling, but at the same time so nervous I was glad it was empty or I’d have emptied it anyhow. Baggage claim was where we were supposed to meet…and I looked around excitedly. I could hardly stand it. All these years. Of course I had no idea what I was looking for—did he look like me? Did he have the same reddish brown hair? The same mixed eyes? If I hadn’t been so terrified—and hungry—I’d have been thrilled to finally, after all these years, get to meet my father—a father who wanted me. Later, after we got to know each other, I’d ask my million questions and even try not to be antagonistic about it, but for now—huh—I just wanted my father like a six year old lost in the woods. I felt tears come into my eyes, and I turned to stare at the luggage coming down the chute, even though I didn’t have any.

People came and went. People took suitcases and met friends and hugged family and then walked away. People ate and drank and got their stuff and left. I kept wandering around, looking at everyone, smiling hopefully like a kindergartner in a new school, listening to my stomach growl and my heart pound.