Walking to baggage claim at Hartsfield International Airport, I hear a familiar voice.
“Hey, Kerry!” I hear as this petite blonde girl approaches me from about thirty feet away. It isn’t until she has halved that distance that I recognize the girl as my little sister.
“Hey, Sarah! How are you?”
Sarah gives me a small hug. I pat her on the back lightly a couple of times, and she takes a small step back and answers my question.
“I am fine. Mom and Dad went to get the rental car. We are supposed to meet them outside at the curb, once we get your bag. How was your flight?”
Our conversation continued as we walked to the baggage claim carousel, and awaited the arrival of my hang-up bag.
“Dreadful. I had a screaming kid behind me, so I had trouble getting some of my studying done. Of course, the kid fell asleep about ten minutes before we landed.”
“Kerry, he probably couldn’t help it. Show a little sympathy.”
“There will be no compassion from me. It wasn’t like this was an infant. It was a four year old who was crying because his mom wouldn’t let him have a Coke when the flight attendants made their rounds.”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah, I told the mother to just give him the damn Coke already!”
“I see you are as tactful as ever,” she says as I see my bag make its way on the conveyor belt and around the carousel towards me.
“Okay, I didn’t say that. But I felt it.”
“So you are learning a little restraint.”
“Yes. I am learning that sometimes it is best to take the edge off my comments.”
“How long have I told you that?”
“Alright, I’ll admit it. You’re right, Sarah.”
I reach down to pick up my bag. I lift it off the conveyor, and Sarah and I head for the exit.
As we get outside, we see a blue Ford Crown Victoria flashing its headlights at us.
“That must be them,” I said.
We walked over to the car, and Dad pops the trunk, and I notice that there are already six bags in the trunk. Sarah hops in the back seat on the passenger side and closes the door behind her. I squeeze my bag into the three cubic feet of trunk space that remained, and hopped into the back seat behind my Dad.
“Hi Mom! Hi Dad!”
“Hi Kerry!” replied my Mom.
“How are things at Columbus?” asked my Dad.
“Oh, they’re going great.”
“All A’s and B’s I hope,” said Dad.
“C’mon Dad, it’s me. What else would you expect?”
“I just wanted to make sure that you are not being lax in your studies. After this semester, you’ll be at the halfway point. I don’t want to see you blow it now.”
“Mom, Dad, speaking of being lax, I have to ask if the standards for your children are lowering.”
“What do you mean by that?” asked Mom.
“Mom, look at Sarah. How could you let her dye her hair blonde? Are you the same mother who made me trim my sideburns every week to keep from looking shaggy?”
“You brat, Mom and Dad just like me better,” Sarah shot back.
“Kerry, it is different with girls. Your sister went through a rough time about a month ago, and she needed a change,” Mom said calmly, trying to diffuse the situation.
“Rough time?” I asked, as I couldn’t recall hearing anything about my sister having problems. Guilt started to take my body, as I knew that my I should stay closer with my one and only sibling. “What happened, Sarah?”
“Willie and I broke up. Then, he started to date Ellen. I don’t want to talk about it,” Sarah said curtly.
Ellen had been my sister’s best friend since kindergarten. I had the feeling that there was more to this, but decided not to pursue it.
“Jeez. I am sorry, Sarah. I had no idea.”
“I am getting over it.”
“Anything other changes? Tattoos, body piercing?”
“Kerry, don’t pester your sister,” Mom said, as Dad pulled the car into the hotel parking lot.
“Okay everybody out!” Dad said.
Dad had reserved two rooms for us at a Marriott in Atlanta. My sister and I would share a room for the weekend. It was now Thursday night, nearing midnight. Friday night would be our cousin Jenna’s wedding. On Saturday we were to spend the day with Aunt Judy, Uncle Dave, and our cousins Todd and Kelly. Sunday, I would fly back to Columbus to continue university, and Mom, Dad, and Sarah would fly back home to St. Louis.
Mom and Dad had a room on the third floor, and Sarah and I were to share a room on the sixth floor. We piled into the elevator, and hit the appropriate buttons. We were all a little worn out from the travel, and were looking forward to some sleep. My parents got off the elevator on their floor, and when the doors shut, I turned to Sarah.
“Sarah, I am sorry if I came off a little insensitive in the car. I am sorry about Willie. I know you were really into him.”
“That’s okay, Kerry. I’ll live.”
“Why I am really sorry, is not being there for you. Maybe I don’t stay in touch with you like I should. We’re family, and you should be able to count on me for some support.”
“Thanks, Kerry.”
The elevator doors opened, and we walked down to our room. I don’t think my sister thought much of our little talk. I thought best to let it go for now. I opened the door to our room, and turned on the light. I saw that there was a king size bed.
“Sarah, did Dad ask for two doubles?”
“I don’t know, Kerry. Maybe we can call the front desk and ask for a different room.”
“Good idea.”