9
Cya in December!
Outside the doors of the Seattle airport, small puddles of rain had been formed from the morning shower. Walking down the row of cars, Lylas’ suitcases clinked together, splashing water against the back of her ankles. Her mom Cindy had a duffle bag rested on her forearm that swung back and forth with each stride. An attendant with long brown hair and buggy eyes greeted them as they entered the section labeled “G”.
“Welcome to Alamo, may I see your receipt please?”
Cindy handed the lady the dull pink sheet of paper that she had gotten at the check-in counter.
“What kind of car are we getting?” Cindy asked.
“Well you can choose from any of the ones in the G section.”
“Those are tiny,” Lyla whispered with a worried look on her face.
“It will just have to do then, c’mon let's go,” said Cindy as she headed towards a section of small Hondas.
Lyla could no longer hide her discontent as she neared the car that her mom had chosen for them. “Mom, it's too small. I cannot be that close to you for 2 hours.”
“I’m sending my only daughter off to college, and this is what she has to say to me? Unbelievable.”
The two avoided eye contact as they ducked their heads to get into the front seats.
Lauren Katayama