After a layover in Toronto, a delayed take off due to a passenger with health-related issues, and some massive turbulance, I finally landed in Sydney.
Being a fairly passive-aggressive person, there are two sides of myself that often conflict. My more aggressive side urged to get out of my seat immediately, grabbing my things, and getting off that plane. But my more passive side, my more pursuasive side, got the best of me. I was nearly the last person off the plane because I didn't want to be in anyone's way as I gathered my things.
It wasn't a terrible thing though. I was glad to give myself an extra few minutes before I needed to leave to live with strangers for two months.
I pulled my camel-colored backpack out from under the seat in front of me and retrieved my blue and white polkadotted duffled from the carry-on space overhead. I thanked the flight attendants on my way out, and walked in step with a pilot who was on my flight. (He wasn't the pilot of my flight, though.)
I always feel incredibly insignificant when I'm near pilots and people of like careers because I just feel like they are so important. I felt the tension of an impending conversation between us, and I figured he did too. Travelling gives me an excuse to to things out of character, like, say, starting a conversation with a stranger.
"Flying anywhere interesting soon?" I asked, looking up in near-awe at the older, albeit, handsome gentleman pilot.
"Well, I'll be in Sydney for about three days visiting my brother and his family before jetting off to Prague. I won't get to stay there for much more than a few hours, though." He smiled, hopefully pleased with me.
I made note of his pun, but I didn't laugh because I didn't know if it was intentional or not. My eyes grew wide as I relished in the thought of going to Prague. It's on my list. "Wow. That's exciting. I'm sure it gets to be annoying, though. I know I wouldn't like being able to go so many places but rarely ever get to go to any place."
He shrugged his shoulders and looked down into my eyes. I prepared myself for a life-altering statement from this important man. "I'm not much for travel; I just like flying."
My face fell, and I felt my entire being deflate a little bit. "Oh..." I pursed my lips and looked away, trying to figure a way out of this conversation. "Well, I guess you're in the right business."
He laughed heartily. "I guess I am."
We walked our separate ways-- he going to his temporary place of residence with relatives, me going to my temporary place of residence with strangers.
I guess that was the difference between us: he stayed places he knew out of convenience, while I stayed in strange places out of curiousity.
I sighed, unsatisfied with the pilot and continued my journey deeper into the airport. I picked up my giant purple rolling suitcase and got through customs without any hastles. My stomach rumbled as I walked through the food court, but I wasn't sure if I should get something now or if I would be eating later. In all honesty, I didn't really even know what time or day it was because I didn't trust my phone. It has lead me wrong too many times.
I finally left the area full of discombobulated passengers traveling to and fro and made it to another crowded area, but this time the crowds were of welcoming parties. Having only seen pictures of my new "family", I wasn't sure who or what to look for, but as sure as all cliches, I found them holding a sign with my name written in all capital letters.
DAY ONE
I swallowed hard, making and breaking eye contact as I slowly pushed my way toward them. "Are you Mrs. Hemmings?"
"Only if you're Greta." The man, who I assumed to be Mr. Hemmings, replied with not so much as a hint of humor.
I pulled my lips into my mouth to keep the laughter from escaping. "That would be me." I smiled brightly to hide any sign of discomfort I was feeling.
I searched around their bodies swiftly, trying to catch sight of their son, but he hadn't come with them.
"Let's get you home. We are so excited to have you." Liz hugged me unexpectedly, and I was hesitant to return it but made haste to do so.
Mr. Hemmings, or Andy as he prefers, took my larger bags, leaving me with only my backpack. I followed them out of the airport and into their car where Andy gingerly set my bags in the trunk.
"Thank you." I slid into the back seat of the car, tugging the on the strings of my bag.
Liz put her sun visor down in order to look at me through the mirror. "How was the flight?"
I took a deep breath as a disappointed expression fell across my face. "As much as I enjoy flying, the length of this particular flight is dreadful. It probably would have been better had I not been sitting next to a mother with a newborn and a five year old. Though I did feel worse for her than myself."
Liz shook her head in sympathy for the mother. "I just couldn't imagine that. I've had three boys, and they probably wouldn't be around anymore if I had to fly twenty-plus hours with them."
I smiled widely as her comment filled me with amusement. I let out a light laugh, and she joined me. "The baby was at least kind of cute, and the kid and I ended up playing a few games of go-fish."
"You let him win every time, didn't you?" Andy looked at me through the rearview mirror.
My face reddened a bit, though I'm not sure why. I suppose I was embarrassed at my predictability. "A couple of times..." I admitted.
"Sucker." Andy laughed, and I grew more comfortable with his humor than I had with Liz's conversing.
"Andrew..." Liz scolded him with a not-so-hushed voice.
"It's really okay." I encouraged both of them with my positive attitude-- truth being that I thuroughly enjoyed Andy's jokes.
Liz turned toward me from her seat. "If he gives you any trouble, come find me."
She looked back at Andy with a teasing grin, and he just laughed.
I took a sigh of relief. I am so thankful that these people are not like families I've been placed with in the past. This is my third year with the program, and the previous two years have been untolerable at best. Both years the families were just insufferable.
We casually talked more about the flight and my travel and their experiences. The ride was pleasant and rather short. We were at their modest home sooner than I had imagined.
"We're home." Liz smiled back at me as we pulled into their driveway. Andy helped me with my bags again as he lead me inside.
"Okay, do you want a quick tour, or do you want to just go to your room first?" Liz had already made her way to the kitchen where I assumed she was making supper. I checked the clock to see that it was nearly seven in the evening.
"I could take a tour." I offered, though I could fall asleep at a moment's notice.
"Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes, so you'll have some time to settle in beforehand." I noticed that Andy had already made home in his chair in the living room.
"Sounds good." I smiled, making room for Liz to lead me throug her house.
"As you can see, we're in the kitchen now, and Andy is in the lounge room." She pointed to the two areas before continuing to walk. She opened a door, "Here is the main bathroom. And there's another one upstairs where you'll be staying."
She continued down the hall as I took in all of the decor and pictures lining the walls. "This is my bedroom, there's a linen closet at the end of this hall, and an office across from my room. We'll head upstairs to show you where you'll sleep."
I continued to follow her around the house and up the stairs, where she told Andy to meet us with my bags. Their second floor resembled a loft back home. There was a second television and couch before you got to a hall which lead to three more doors.
"The first door on the right is Luke's room. He's out with friends right now. The door next to his is the bathroom." She opened to show me the blue and gold themed room. "And last but not least, here's your room."
We walked through the door across the hall from Luke's room, and I was pleasantly surprised. "Feel free to make it your home."
Liz smiled rubbed her hand across my back. I felt comfortable and safe here. I was happy. "Thank you, so much. Your house is beautiful, and I am so excited to be here."
We hugged before she left me to be alone. I explored the room further. The walls were an even grey, which I admired, and there was white and gold accents. Liz had a decorative taste I could get used to. I took a seat on the plush bed and was so temped to fall asleep, but I instead began to unpack my things into the dresser before dinner.
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Thanks for reading. :) luke should show up in the next chapter