Giselle Youngblood, 21
(3 years later) Present
"How do you feel?" My mama asked as she pulled up to the airport's drop off.
"I really don't know." I admitted nervously, looking down at my hands.
It'd been a long three years, moving from state to state each month with her and my father for their jobs. But now that my father had passed away so suddenly, my mother didn't know her way and neither did I.
"Listen, baby. I know I shouldn't have ripped you away from our family and your friends back at home."
"But I felt as a mother, I was doing something right." Her voice blacked, making me pout.
"I didn't want my only daughter in that environment anymore and I wanted to get you out of there. I wanted you to travel with your father and I and I wanted to see the world, honey."
"Not be lost in the eyes of the struggle and poverty at such a young age. You didn't deserve that." She began to get choked up and I nodded in understanding.
I understood every word.
Though she'd made me leave all of my friends and loved ones behind to move to a brand new state, I knew it was all in good faith. I was 18 years old and I'd just graduated. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life anyway.
If anything, she saved me and I could do nothing but appreciate her for that.
"I love you, mama." I blurted out as she began to cry.
Pulling her in for a warm hug, she held me just as tight as I held her. I knew after today, my mother would be finding her way and adjusting to working without my father. And honestly, I'd be doing the same, trying to get back to the old me and reconnecting with all the people that I'd seemingly turned my back on.
Especially one person that I'd never lost sight of.
"I love you so much more, honey." She sighed deeply as we continued hugging just a few moments longer.
When we finally let each other go, she looked into my eyes and softly grabbed my hands.
"I want to give you some money before you go, okay?" She went onto say and I nodded as she let my hands go and went into her purse.
"This is for you." She held out a stack of money.
"I know it isn't much but your father and I always knew we would send you back sooner or later and we wanted you to at least be comfortable living with your grandma."
"And hopefully you won't be there too long." She raised an eyebrow at me, referring to the plan we'd set in place.
I'd only love with my grand mom for no more than a year or two, I would then find my own place and began my life as a grown woman.
"No more than two years at grandma's." She went on while I nodded my head.
"Just work at the store and try to make as much money as you can so you can get out of there as soon as possible."
"Lord knows it's easy to get caught up in that mess and end up being there for years." She went on scoffing, referring to herself and I smiled small.
"Thank you, mama."
"For everything." I expressed.
"You're so welcome, baby." She smiled her warm smile.
"Now go before you miss your flight back." She rushed and I nodded, grabbing all of my bags.
"Do you have everything? Your ticket? Gate number?" She went on, naming all of the things I'd need.
"Yes, mama." I playfully rolled my eyes.
"Alright, baby." She said to me as I opened my door and stepped out of the car.
"I love you." She spoke loudly as I smiled to myself, watching all of the people, looking at us as if we were crazy at 5 in the morning.
"Alright, mama." I lugged my bags, closing the passenger side door shut.
"Text me when you land." She went on and I nodded before making my way into of the huge, bright airport.
"Wow." I couldn't help but to say.
This, of course, wasn't my first rodeo. I'd been traveling, plane, train, car and boat my entire life but doing it alone was different. Everything seemed so big, the lights seemed to be so bright.
Looking around me, I saw people asleep in chairs, with covers pulled over them while others were half-awake, drinking coffee. It was still pretty early though so the airport wasn't as crowded as usual, here in Massachusetts.
"Excuse me, do you know where gate number 209 is?" I asked one of the employees as I made my way down the huge hall.
"Yes and you're going the right way. It's straight down and to your right." She went onto say and I nodded, doing exactly as she said before seeing the huge numbers 209.
This was it. I was really going back home.
I couldn't help but to smile as I took a seat for a moment, just to check my messages. When I did, I saw that I had a bunch of messages from all of my cousins but of course the most from Mila.
Smiling to myself, I opened her messages and saw how excited she was for me to be coming home.
Mila: Omg, GG! You're really coming home. I thought you was lying bih!😝
Mila: The whole hood been talking about you! They in your business sis, I told them don't do thattttt.
Mila: Girl are you on the plane yet? Hurry up. I need to see you.
Smiling to myself, I couldn't help but to laugh at her messy messages. Mila was and still is my favorite cousin, my very first best friend. We grew up together and we spent the entire four years in high school by each other's side.
Of course though, she didn't take it too well when I left three years ago. Just like everyone else, she begged me not to leave but I still did anyway.
I had no choice.
Brushing those thoughts out of my mind, I remained positive as I stood to my feet. I then looked over at the huge clock on the wall for the time and saw that it was 5:15am.
Deciding quickly, I'd made the choice to go and check my bags in now. Since my flight wasn't until 8am, this was good timing.
Here we go.
-
Giselle
5 hours later (10am)
"Hello all passengers, I hope you've had a great flight and I hope you've enjoyed your time on Delta, flight 209 this morning. This current time 10'o clock am and shortly, in about 15 minutes, we will be landing in New Jersey."
"Wooo!" All of the other passengers began to scream and cheer, whereas, I, sat all the way in the back a nervous wreck.
"So we ask that you please begin to gather all of your belongings and your disposables. An attendant will come around shortly with a trash bin to collect all trash."
"If there is any one with any questions, please remain seated until the end of the flight and once we've landed, we are here to answer them."
"Until then, thanks again for flying Delta, flight 209." The attendant went on before ending the telecom.
When she did, my heart was beating out of my chest, thinking about the plane landing in 15 minutes. I was really almost home, I'd never thought this day would come. And honestly, it was bittersweet because I had so much righting to do. So many relationships to repair.
Including one that mattered the most to me.
"Fuck." I scoffed to myself, looking down my hands.
I hope I can do this.
*