Roots

Roots - Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

Russia Bound

Welcome to St. Petersburg, Russia.  We want to take this time and thank you for flying with Delta International Air Lines, please don’t forget to pick up your luggage from the baggage claim, and please fly with us again.  Thank you and have a great stay in the beautiful country of Russia. The airplane pilot announced over the intercom in fluent Russian as we landed. I giggled when Mr. Poloski translated it for Eric and Mandy who both had confused looks on their faces.  I couldn’t help but smile, a true big smile at the fact that I was in Russia, my homeland, my country…finally.  It seemed like forever ago when we actually boarded the plane earlier today, I was still laughing at the chaos from earlier as I remembered it in my mind.

“Good God Mr. Poloski, why did you make the flight so flippin early?” Eric said as he boarded the plane and placed his carry-on bag above the leather, captain, first class seat before taking his seat.  Eric was definitely dressed like he was going on a long flight.  He wore his black adidas soccer wind pants with just a white t-shirt, making his skin look tanner and his hair darker than usual.

“Oh quit your whining Mr. Lawson, it’s not all that bad, besides you can sleep for most of the way, well until we get to Paris, and then after we stop there you can go back to sleep until we reach St. Petersburg.” Mr. Poloski said as he leaned over slapping Eric on the back before sitting back in his seat and buckling up. It was weird seeing Mr. Poloski dressed in semi-casual clothes, wearing dark jeans and argyle sweater over a button down shirt, where as in school he usually wore business suits.

“I don’t care how early this flight is, we are not only going to Russia; we’re going to Paris! I can’t believe it; I’ve always wanted to go to Paris, Lisa we’ll have to go to Paris again, to see more than just the outside of the airport and other planes.” Mandy said to me as she buckled her seat belt and looked out the window wearing her faded blue jeans and a t-shirt from our old summer church camp that we used to go to every year. I was just as excited about it going to Paris as she was.  I had always wanted to go to Europe, and Mandy and I had always talked about going backpacking across Europe one day, but now that my life had change drastically, I didn’t see that trip option happening.

“Miss Peterson, would you care for any refreshments before we take off?” A flight attendant asked as she passed by with a cart-tray of drinks and snacks.

“No, thank you.” I said at the same time as Mr. Poloski answered the lady with his order.

“I’ll take a double shot of espresso please Madame.” Mr. Poloski said turning in his seat to look up at the lady with a smile.

“Right away Sir.” She said as she picked up an espresso machine from under the cloth of the cart and began to make his coffee, which had somehow reminded me, that I really wanted to speak with him on the matter of royalty and parliament.

“Ah thank you.” Mr. Poloski said as he took a sip, and tipped the flight attendant before turning to look at me.

“Lisa, are you all set? It’s going to be a long flight.” He stated as he threw back the rest of the coffee in his mouth.

“Yes, Mr. Poloski, I’m fine, I’m just ready to get there.” I said as I buckled my seatbelt when the light came on and adjusted my long black t-shirt over my dark washed blue jeans, in a way I smiled and laughed at myself for how I had decided to dressed for the trip, even if I did resemble the Imperial family, I sure didn’t dress like I was Royal, and for that I couldn’t help but think of Anne Hathaway in the Princess Diaries.