Stuck on You, 3: Fly.
Jenny Shay.
“Good morning, dad.” I greeted my father with a kiss on the cheek as I entered the kitchen and sat by the table.
“Good morning, Jenny.” My dad looked up at me and gave me a small smile as he continued preparing the plates, forks and knives on the table. He looked tired. He had eye bags which were super obvious, and he’s been forming wrinkles on his forehead. I bet he’s been working late last night. I sighed.
My dad’s works hard to earn money. He works as a mechanic at Earl’s Workshop just across the street. He’d even work extra long hours to earn extra. If anyone here knows EVERYTHING about cars and their engines, it’s my dad, though his salary is not much, but he can afford to pay the rent for the apartment we live in, pay my school fees and enough to buy groceries every month. My dad may not have the greatest or well paid job in the world, but I’m grateful. Though sometimes I wish he’d just take a break from everything.
He’s been like this ever since mom died. Which was 5 years ago. He couldn’t stop blaming himself because of her death. I was only 10, but I understood why mom did it. It wasn’t really dad’s fault, though. He tried to stop her but she just couldn’t handle it anymore.
Suddenly, memories of that night came running into my head. My parents shouting. Mom crying. Dad apologizing. Shouting. Broken frames. Everything was broken. Mom holding a gun. Dad trying to stop her. The sound of a gun being triggered. Mom’s body lying on the floor, lifeless. Blood.
A lot of Blood.
I shook my head and I was back in reality.
And the routine starts. As usual I’d ask my dad, “Are you okay? You look tired.”
Dad looked up at me and said, “Yeah. I’m fine. I was just working late last night.”
I tried to smile, but then failed. That’s always his reason when I ask him if he was okay. Instead of asking him more questions, I said, “What’s for breakfast?”
“Pancakes.” Dad replied and gave me a smile, “That okay with you?”
“Perfect.”
“Okay, they’re almost done. What do you want? Coffee or tea?”
It took me 5 seconds to choose, but instead I said, “Orange juice.” And grinned.
My dad chuckled, “Alright. I’ll get the cups. The orange juice is in the fridge.”
“Alright.” I said as I opened my fridge and took the orange juice out and poured it into my mug as soon as my dad handed it to me.
I could smell the delicious scent of dad’s home made pancakes, if anyone makes the best pancakes in Brooklyn, it’s my dad.
“Ready for your first day of school?” Dad asked me as he handed me my plate of pancakes.
I smiled to dad and poured maple syrup on to my pancake and said, “Kinda.”
“Why ‘Kinda’?” dad asked.
I shrugged and took a bite of my pancake. “Ith been ay wayol. I miff the thummer holeedayth.” I said with my mouth full.
Dad laughed. It was good to hear him laugh. I grinned. “You’ll be fine. I’m sure.”
I took another bite of my pancake and crossed my fingers. “Thanks, dad. I hope so.”
—
Andrew Jackson.
London, Heathrow Airport.
I arrived at Heathrow Airport in London just 15 minutes ago. Apparently our flight was already boarding at Terminal 3. And I’ve been told by my parents that we’re going to New York.
Well, I’ve been to New York loadsa times before. It’s alright I guess. I heard the schools there are good, too. I’m not sure which school I’ll be attending to, though.
“Andrew, come on, love. The plane’s already boarding. We don’t want to be left behind, don’t we?” I heard my mother told me.
“Yes, mom.” was all I could say.
I saw my father running towards us, holding his iPhone in his right hand. “Darling,” he started to say, “can you please go inside gate 23? I’ll be there as soon as I can. I have to call someone back at the office to check if all of my belongings are with me.”
Mom gave him a smile, “Alright. Off you go, then.”
“I won’t be long.” He told the both of us as he kissed my mom on her forehead and ruffled my hair before walking away.
“C’mon, love. Let’s go.”
***
Inside the plane.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard to the British Airways. Thank you for choosing us. We will be taking off to New York and will be arriving to LaGuardia International Airport.” A woman announced.
“Are you okay, love?” I heard my mom ask.
I looked out the window, and thanked God that we got the first class seats in the airplane and, lucky me, I got to sit next to the window. “‘mfine.”
“I’m sorry it has to be this way, Andrew.” My mom took my hand and held it tight. I turned around to face her sad eyes, “I know how much you’ll miss London.”
“London’s home, Ma.”
“I know it is, sweet heart. But what else can we do?”
“Um, stay?”
“You know it’s not easy for your dad and me to reject the course, it pays a lot.” she told me.
“Well, we were doing fine back home.” I took my hand away and crossed my arms.
“You’ll never know what’s ahead of you, Andrew.”
“Yeah, well. We’ll see about that.” I told her as I looked out the window.
We were now moving slowly, I was literally jumping up and down on my seat. Thank God for seat belts. Slowly… slowly and… we’re in the air.
Well, New York, here I come.
