Stay

Ch. 2

Taylor: 

I instantly regretted not leaving my sweater out of my suitcase. I did not expect it to be such difference in temperature. As we walked through the tunnel, wind found its way in the cracks. I shivered, and Joe stopped walking. He took off his jacket and went to put it on me.

“Wait, but Joe then you will be cold.”

“It’s okay. I have this thick sweater on.” 

As he slipped the jacket on me, I smiled and said, “Thanks.”

We walked over to the luggage terminal. To see it already crowded with people. My mom was right; Christmas is a busy time here. There were people from all age groups there. Families, couples, and even older couples. They were all surrounding the terminal. All my life I have watched Christmas movies with my mom. I saw a window up a head and I smiled. It looked beautiful, and I have not even been outside yet.  

We spotted our suitcases coming our way and we squeezed through the crowd. Thankfully, they were easy enough to grab. As we were heading to the door, we saw a man. With a sign that said, “Joseph and Taylor” in big black letters.

I stopped Joe, “Do you think that is us?” I said pointing to the man holding the sign. The man looked over at me and smiled. 

“I don’t think so.” Joe said quietly, “I did not order a driver. Unless my dad did”

The man noticed us looking at him, and started to walk over to us. “Ms. Taylor and Mr. Joseph I presume.”

“That is our names, but we did not order a driving service.” Joe said.

“Well you two match my descriptions that I was give.” He glanced at a few papers than looked back up at us. “A Mr. Richard Thompson ordered this driving service. For the whole trip.”

“You dad is too sweet.” I said quietly. The man must have heard me, because he put the sign away and gestured to the door.

“Well then follow me.” He said. We walked out in to the chilly air.  There was snow on the ground. All around you could see people's foot prints on the sidewalk. Some snow was even on the benches. It looked so perfect. We did not have to walk far. The limo was pulled right up to the front of the building. He walked over to the door and held it open for us, “Here you go.”

I was speechless. I had never ridden in a limo before. I remember watching movies and wishing one day, I would get to ride in one. Joe slid in the limo, and I followed. It was bigger than I thought it would be. I looked over at Joe to see he was as speechless as I was. I scooted closer to him and he put his arm around me.

The limo had black leather cushioned seats. There was a TV centered at the front of the seating area. A mini fridge and cart of cups and plates on the side. The limo had a window of separation between the seats and the driver. The window slid down; the driver turned to us and said, “Well sit back and relax. You can eat and drink if you would like. It’s not to long of a car ride.” He smiled then closed the window. 

“This is amazing.” I finally said. As we started to move. 

“It is, I have only been in a limo once before.”

“Oh, when was that?”

“Once when I was younger my aunt got married. I was the ring bearer. So after the wedding, I rode in a limo on the way to the reception.”

“I have never been in a limo before,” I said. I paused; I wanted to ask him what the cabin was like. He was not one to talk about the past, especially if it involved his mother. The only time he ever went to the cabin was with his parents.

“Joe” I said still debating if I should ask him or not. He has to tell me eventually what his mother was like. I have only seen her in a few pictures his dad once showed me. I took a breath and spit out, “What was your mother like?”

There was a long pause; I could feel that he had tensed up. I looked over and his eyes were blank. I could tell he was in another place. Thinking back on the past. I gave him a minute before I said his name again.

“Sorry Taylor. I was just thinking.” He finally said.

“It’s okay.” I said softly.

He removed his arm from around me and put his head in his hands. Another minute passed. I was beginning to think I would never find out anything about his mother. 

“She was beautiful.” He said finally sitting up. “Her name was Susan.”