Chapter Six: New York:

Addison

She hadn’t been out of New York for more than six months, but it felt much longer to her. Her aunt was going to be waiting for her at the airport. The girl just sent the text.

“I’m coming home for Christmas. I am going to be at JFK airport,” she wrote. The girl hit send before getting on the plane. This wasn’t the first time she rode alone on a plane. It still felt kind of strange. Her aunt was the one who saw her off. Work exchange program was what it was called. Addison wasn’t sure about it at first.

“Is such a thing possible?” she asked.

“Yes,” her aunt said. “This will look good on your resume.” The niece looked confused.

“Resume?” she asked. Her aunt hugged her by the shoulders.

“You’ll learn soon enough,” she said.

“Uh… okay…” Addison said. So off to Japan, she went. Now, it felt sort of strange to be coming home.

The girl looked out the window the whole time. The flight attendants saw to her needs.

“Just let us know if you need anything,” they told her.

“Okay,” Addison said. The girl watched the clouds float by. In a few hours, Addison was going to be home. She had never been to the city. When Addison said that she was from New York, that’s what everyone assumed. No, Addison was from the countryside. She couldn’t wait to see her family again. They did Christmas really big. All of those relatives. All of the food. Addison’s mouth started to drool just at the thought of what Christmas dinner would hold.

Her plane landed by afternoon. Time to go home. Addison got off with the crowd. The flight attendants bid her a safe journey. When she got to the airport, Addison pulled out her phone. One missed call. It was from her aunt.

“Ah,” she said. The girl held her phone to her ear.

“Hey, sweetie. Traffic is a bit of a nightmare. We’re going to be a little bit late getting to you. But don’t worry. We’re coming to pick you up,” her aunt said. Addison lowered her phone. She looked around the crowd. They were running behind schedule.

“Now what?” she asked herself. Addison looked out among the crowd again. She puffed up her cheeks. How long ago was that call? The girl looked at her phone. That was two hours ago. Maybe they were on their way here now. Maybe she should give them a call?

Addison dialed her aunt’s number. She picked up her suitcase as the other line rang. The girl paced around as she waited.

“This is Debra. I can’t come to the phone right now—” the voice mail began.

“Hello?” a woman’s voice asked. Addison jumped in place.

“Auntie?” she asked.

“Addie? Addie is that you?” her aunt asked. The girl covered her other ear.

“Yes,” she said. “Where are you?”

“We’re still stuck in traffic,” her aunt said. “Are you in the airport now?”

“Yeah, I just got my luggage,” Addison said. “How is everyone?”

“Good,” Debra said. “How are you doing?” The girl started walking towards the front.

“I’m fine,” Addison said. “I am a bit hungry, though. I can’t wait to see you.”

“I can’t wait to see you either,” her aunt said. The girl smiled to herself. Hearing her aunt’s voice alone made her feel like she was home already.