The Flame (A Norman Reedus Story)

Chapter 51--The Girls

Chapter 51—The Girls

Saturday July 26, 2014

I’m standing in the Baggage Claim area of the Atlanta airport waiting for Lynda and Maeve.  Lynda’s plane just landed and I’m waiting for her to make her way to me.  I look around the airport just people watching.  I run my hand down the front of my T-shirt, smoothing out the wrinkles at the bottom.  I borrowed Norm’s Cheap Trick shirt and it’s a little big on me.  I swear that man has stretched out every shirt he owns with his broad shoulders and muscular arms.  It’s a little long on me too but it looks cute with my black leggings and motorcycle boots.  I don’t normally take his clothes to wear but today I missed him too much and wore it to comfort me.  I chose this shirt because it’s the one he was wearing in some of my favorite pictures of him.

 I look over to see a guy with a camera scanning the crowd.  I adjust my Raybans and hope he is just looking for a loved one.  Since Norman posted the video of us dancing in my kitchen and told the world we’re dating, I’ve been recognized a few times, even without Norman around.  The last time was when I went to the market before Norman left for San Diego.  That time it was just a couple of local girls and they were very nice, even though it was weird having them follow me around the store and stare.  They were pretty shocked when I told them hello.  I guess everyone expects me to be a bitch like his last girlfriend.  I don’t see the point of being bitchy unless they start something first.  I look over at the guy with the camera and see him staring back at me.  I play it cool and let my gaze wander away from his direction.  Too late though, he starts taking pictures of me as I stand here.  I groan and tap the screen on my cell.  I go to my Twitter and post “Not really in the mood for paparazzi 2day.  Kiss off fuckers”.  I hit send and close the app. 

I look around for Lynda and see her Strawberry Blonde hair through the crowd.  I smile and wave at her, fully aware of the idiot snapping pictures.  Lynda reaches me and I give her tiny petite frame a hug.  I swear this girl never gets any bigger.  I look down at her and smile, “Good to see you sweetheart.  Did you shrink?”  She rolls her eyes, “No I actually grew a half inch.  I’m five foot three now.”  I laugh, “Wow, that’s great you’re almost 18 and the height of a seventh grader.  How was your flight?”  She sticks out her tongue before telling me, “My trip down was fine.  You should be nicer to this Mini Ginger.  I thought you loved me!”  I smile at her, “You know I love ya like my own, Lynda and that means teasing you often.”  She giggles, “I’ve missed you and your teasing.  When does Maeve’s flight get here?”  I look at the clock on my cell, “In about an hour.  Did you want something to eat while we wait?”  She nods her head, “Maybe a snack.  I could use a Mountain Dew most definitely.”  We walk over towards the nearest snack stand and she picks out some chips and her bottle of Dew.  I grab a juice and walk to the cashier to pay.  As I get my change back I notice Lynda staring at something.  “What are you looking at Lyn?” I question.  She gestures to her right, “Who’s the guy with the camera?”  I sigh, “That is the down side of having Daryl Dixon as your boyfriend.”  She smiles, “I would trade places with you in a heartbeat, Jenna.”  I chuckle, “Not even on a bad day, Lynda.  I’m sorry but he’s all mine.”  We walk back into the terminal and she puts her arm around my waist as she speaks, “I don’t blame you, he’s an awesome piece of Man Candy.” I start laughing like crazy, “Yeah he is.  He’s a sweet guy too.  You’ll just love him as much as the rest of us.”  We walk back into the Baggage area well aware of the man following us.  Lynda goes into the restroom and I lean against the wall, waiting for her.  The man stops and stands across the corridor watching me.  I ignore him and look at my cell.  I notice I have a text and open it.  It’s from Norman:

Norman: I saw your Tweet.  Is everything OK?

Me: Yeah, just waiting for the girls at the airport.  Some guy with a camera taking pictures and following me around.  Just not in the mood.  Seriously thinking of giving him the finger.