Chapter Four: Montgomery, Phoenix, and Montana:

Art and Margaret

They were going to two locations this year. Why not have the family come together in one place? She wanted a road trip.

“We can see my folks and then we can see your mom,” Maggie said. Art didn’t even bother to argue. They had the rental car packed up.

“Ready to go?” he asked.

“Uh-huh,” his wife said.

“Okay,” Art said. “Let’s go.” He would be the one driving. Maggie didn’t complain. Art wouldn’t let her drive anyway.

“Aw, why not?” she asked after their first date. His right eye started to twitch.

“You drive like a crazy person,” Art said in a trembling voice. Maggie pouted at him.

“What do you mean?” she asked. He didn’t dare to give her an answer. He didn’t want to trigger her temper.

“Can you please just get in the car?” Art asked under his breath.

“Huh?” Margaret asked. Her then-boyfriend climbed into the driver’s side of the car. She frowned and got in as well. Over time, she gave up on asking. From there, the dynamic was set.

They were going down Montgomery first. Then they were going out to Phoenix. Art looked over at his wife.

“Did you call your family to let them know we were coming?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Maggie said. “I called at the airport.”

“Right,” he said. The drive was going to take like a couple of hours. Maggie looked over at Art.

“Want to pick up something to eat?” she asked.

“No,” Art said.

“You’re right,” Maggie said. “Momma probably made us a big dinner.” She stretched her arms above her head.

“She’s going to want to feed us,” she said.

“Yeah,” Art said. Maggie smiled herself as leaned her head on his shoulder. They were going to spend about two to three days in Alabama. Then they were going to spend two to three more days in Arizona. In fact, they would see his mother in the nursing home. So six days in America before going back to Japan. Margaret smiled to herself.

Melanite

She doesn’t really have a how. Melanite just knows that she is from Montana. She doesn’t have any real family. So why did she go back? Melanite didn’t have a real reason. But Noiz insisted anyway.

“You need the break,” she said. “Just good.” Melanite couldn’t think of a counterargument. So, here she was landing at the airport. Okay, there was one person who she wanted to visit. Melanite pulled out her phone and dialed the number.

“Hello?” a woman’s voice asked on the other line. Melanite’s heart jumped in her chest for a second.

“Millie?” she asked.

“Mel?” the woman asked. “Mel, is that you?” Melanite pressed her lips together. She took in a deep breath.

“Yes,” she admitted. “I’m back in the country. And I was wondering if… If…” Melanite pressed her lips together. After all of this time, she still couldn’t bring herself to say it in words.

“Do you want to come see me?” Millie asked. Melanite lowered her shoulders.

“Yes,” she said in a small voice. There was a pause over the other line. The former nomad’s stomach turned.

“Are you still there?” Melanite asked. Millie chuckled on her end of the line.

“Of course,” she said. “Where are you now? I’ll come and pick you up.” Melanite looked around when she heard the intercom crackle on. She had to cover her ear as the lady announced for passengers to board the next plane.

“At Helena Regional Airport,” the younger woman said. She could hear a cat meowing in the background of the call. Millie tried to shush said cat.

“Okay,” she said. “I will be there in twenty minutes.”

“Yeah,” Melanite said. Then another thought crossed her mind.

“Is Kevin going to be there?” she asked.

“No,” Millie said. “Do you want him there?” Melanite shook her head as if the woman on the other line could see her.

“No,” she said. “No, it’s fine. I’ll see you soon.” Melanite hung up her phone. She shoved it back into her coat pocket. Remembering Kevin kind of brought down her mood. How long had it been? Felt like it was too long if you asked her. Melanite shook her head and put her headphones on. This was going to be a bit of a wait.